This version of the play is well worth seeing, even assuming you have seen the 1965 film. It is less of a cinematic spectacular and more of a well-made play, with a more grownup treatment of the politics and their consequences, though of course still a work of fiction. The performances are excellent, and quite distinct from the film's.
2 Reviews
Entertainment at its very best
cordenw15 August 2020
Here's me, a hardened 73 year old, I've lost loved ones, lost good friends, seen unbelievable tragedy on my journey and yet I have managed to handle most of these events quite stoically.
Put me in front of a TV or in a theater though, with a Rodgers and Hammerstein production on display, and I become a blubbering mess almost before it starts.
I have seen "South Pacific" live at the Lincoln Center and on PBS with Reba McEntire and Alec Baldwin, the entire audience was crying along with me
I watched "The King and I" on PBS with Kelli O'Hara and Ken Watanabe and was weeping and red-eyed as they had you walking alongside them through the story.
Whatever one you choose has the magic ability to grab a hold of you, no matter if you stumble in half way through.
The emotional energy that this incredibly talented duo put into their songs by way of lyrics and melody shines a light that will never dim.
Songs are interwoven into storylines that remain forever topical, so that any revival fits seamlessly into the culture of the day... they were just a phenomenal pair.
And so last night, by accident, I tuned into the PBS broadcast of BBC's live version of "The Sound of Music", which was originally aired in 2018.
In my memories of the original movie back in the 60's, I never realized that there was a very meaningful plotline underneath the songs, so I was immediately hooked by the playlike quality
The show was well underway but, as I said earlier, Rodgers and Hammerstein have the ability to capture you at any moment in their musicals.
There was Kara Tointon, such a beautiful presence, singing like a nightingale in a duet with Julian Ovenden, with such marvellous harmonies that you are immediately transfixed. Tears were streaming down my face from that moment on until the finale.
And even after the finale , where they showed a short film of the making of the project, your emotions are stretched to the limit.
How they get such a talented group of people together; the set designers, the orchestra, the cinematographers, the directors...... how they all come together and get the best out of a flawless cast is nothing short of genius to me and I just fall back into my chair in awe of the experience.
Focussing on that cast, it's hard to measure the breadth of talent on display.
I had this picture of Julian Ovenden from his rôle in Downton Abbey and had no idea that he would be able to take on the part of Captain Von Trapp with such ease and that he could display such a wonderful singing voice.
Kara as Maria is just stunning (and this from a girl who lets us know afterwards, that she has no real singing experience). You can't believe it's the same girl when she talks in the aftershow.
There is one scene in which Von Trapp and Maria dance together, a scene where they realize they have fallen in love, that is so elegant and inspired that I don't think I've EVER seen anything so well done.
I could spend hours highlighting each individual performance but I might lose the audience, suffice to say that the performance by Maria Friedman was what goose bumps are made of.
Rodgers and Hammerstein knew how to use kids in their musicals and the kids in this one are so innocent and beautiful that you could adopt them en bloc.
Rounding out the stars are Katherine Kelly and Alexander Armstrong and with those completing the picture, you have one of the best ensembles you will ever see.
This show is one of those "once in a lifetime" experiences and you should set your PVRs to catch it when it comes on repeat.
Just an unforgettable treat
Put me in front of a TV or in a theater though, with a Rodgers and Hammerstein production on display, and I become a blubbering mess almost before it starts.
I have seen "South Pacific" live at the Lincoln Center and on PBS with Reba McEntire and Alec Baldwin, the entire audience was crying along with me
I watched "The King and I" on PBS with Kelli O'Hara and Ken Watanabe and was weeping and red-eyed as they had you walking alongside them through the story.
Whatever one you choose has the magic ability to grab a hold of you, no matter if you stumble in half way through.
The emotional energy that this incredibly talented duo put into their songs by way of lyrics and melody shines a light that will never dim.
Songs are interwoven into storylines that remain forever topical, so that any revival fits seamlessly into the culture of the day... they were just a phenomenal pair.
And so last night, by accident, I tuned into the PBS broadcast of BBC's live version of "The Sound of Music", which was originally aired in 2018.
In my memories of the original movie back in the 60's, I never realized that there was a very meaningful plotline underneath the songs, so I was immediately hooked by the playlike quality
The show was well underway but, as I said earlier, Rodgers and Hammerstein have the ability to capture you at any moment in their musicals.
There was Kara Tointon, such a beautiful presence, singing like a nightingale in a duet with Julian Ovenden, with such marvellous harmonies that you are immediately transfixed. Tears were streaming down my face from that moment on until the finale.
And even after the finale , where they showed a short film of the making of the project, your emotions are stretched to the limit.
How they get such a talented group of people together; the set designers, the orchestra, the cinematographers, the directors...... how they all come together and get the best out of a flawless cast is nothing short of genius to me and I just fall back into my chair in awe of the experience.
Focussing on that cast, it's hard to measure the breadth of talent on display.
I had this picture of Julian Ovenden from his rôle in Downton Abbey and had no idea that he would be able to take on the part of Captain Von Trapp with such ease and that he could display such a wonderful singing voice.
Kara as Maria is just stunning (and this from a girl who lets us know afterwards, that she has no real singing experience). You can't believe it's the same girl when she talks in the aftershow.
There is one scene in which Von Trapp and Maria dance together, a scene where they realize they have fallen in love, that is so elegant and inspired that I don't think I've EVER seen anything so well done.
I could spend hours highlighting each individual performance but I might lose the audience, suffice to say that the performance by Maria Friedman was what goose bumps are made of.
Rodgers and Hammerstein knew how to use kids in their musicals and the kids in this one are so innocent and beautiful that you could adopt them en bloc.
Rounding out the stars are Katherine Kelly and Alexander Armstrong and with those completing the picture, you have one of the best ensembles you will ever see.
This show is one of those "once in a lifetime" experiences and you should set your PVRs to catch it when it comes on repeat.
Just an unforgettable treat
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