DIAMOND HEAD THEATRE
Carla Waterfield stars as Maria in the Diamond Head Theatre production of "The Sound of Music."
What does "The Sound of Music" have to do with Christmas? That may be the point as Diamond Head Theatre, which for years has presented a Christmas-themed show each December, opts instead for a beautifully staged production of this musical classic. Directed and choreographed by Greg Zane, and with musical direction by Emmett Yoshioka, the DHT show is a perfect antidote for anyone feeling "Christmased out" by secular seasonal fare. Talented cast and director
generate great family fare
"The Sound of Music" continues at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Dec. 19; and at 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 4 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 29 at Diamond Head Theatre. Tickets are $10 to $40. Call: 733-0274.Review by John Berger
jberger@starbulletin.comIt's a great treatment of the story as well. Director-choreographer Zane tells it with an excellent cast that features two talented newcomers in the lead roles.
Carla Waterfield stars as Maria Rainer, the spirited postulate who discovers that God's plan does not include her serving as a nun. Waterfield looks enough like Julie Andrews to please fans of the film version, but it's her voice and acting skills that make her DHT debut an unqualified success.
Bob Frederick likewise makes a impressive DHT debut as Capt. Georg von Trapp, a naval hero in World War I who decides that honor requires him to refuse orders to return to duty. Frederick is more convincing as romantic lead than as a martinet; his pas de deux with Waterfield in "Laendler" is nicely developed as a pivotal romantic moment.
Director Zane proves equally astute in casting the seven von Trapp children. Madeline Suong-Thuy Sault (Gretl) is an adorable scene-stealer but never lapses into preciousness. The older kids -- Sam Roeca (Friedrich), Keely Schneider (Louisa), Jack Smart (Kurt), Kim Anderson (Brigitta) and Katherine Clifton (Marta) -- are a smooth ensemble, and Katherine E. Mills (Liesl) plays the innocent perfectly in her big number, "Sixteen Going on Seventeen," opposite Jimi V. Wheeler (Rolf Gruber).
Wheeler could use a bit more room to develop his character -- what could be his biggest dramatic moment is stillborn -- but there's nothing to fault in his work as Mills' partner.
Veteran actor John Hunt displays his skill at understated comedy as impresario Max Detweiler, Valerie Vedder plays wealthy Elsa Schraeder with an appropriate air of cool elegance and Teresa Bomberger (Mother Abbess) brings Act 1 to an stirring finish with a powerful "Climb Every Mountain."
Zane shows his insight as a director-storyteller in not making this into a simplistic morality play in which the "right" choice is both simple and obvious. Hunt's Detweiler is neither craven nor evil, but just a businessman for whom the political ideology of his partners is less important than the money to be made by doing business with them. Vedder's Elsa is a gracious pragmatist who can't understand why someone would risk everything they own by needlessly antagonizing the government.
A liberty or two is taken with the costumes, and the big swastika flag is shocker -- bringing gasps on opening night -- but this is excellent family entertainment nonetheless.
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