As part of Texas Performing Arts presents Broadway in Austin, “The Sound of Music” opened Tuesday night at Bass Concert Hall to a crowded theater. Tackling a fan favorite like “The Sound of Music” proves challenging, as audiences expect perfection within iconic tracks and performances up to par with legends like Julie Andrews. Despite the weight of these comparisons, the opening night’s performance proved that the hills are, in fact, very much alive with TPA’s rendition of “The Sound of Music.”
A cappella lulled the audience into a trance from the first notes of “Preludium,” paving the way for a powerful performance by Cayleigh Capaldi as the troublemaking nun-in-training, Maria Rainer. The chemistry between Capaldi and Mother Abbess, played by Christiane Noll, fostered moments of hilarity in the duet, “My Favorite Things.” Capaldi made use of props, such as scooting her chair with gusto to reflect her character’s youthful impatience and filling in Mother Abbess’ forgotten lyrics with determination, building a strong personality for Rainer from the very first scenes.
Alongside a powerful lead, the performance benefited from smart stage design, with nearly every scene from the first act featuring a new location. The iconic mountains appeared as a backdrop, complete with a bridge, transporting audiences out of doors before inviting them into the von Trapps’ home, outfitted with a large chandelier and impressive staircase. Barring minor technical difficulties in the first act, the stage design worked to elevate the performance beyond a simple play and into an immersive experience.
Chemistry between the performers proved a pervasive theme, as all seven of the von Trapp children nailed each solo note and group harmony. In “The Lonely Goatherd,” the youngest von Trapp, Gretl, played by eight-year-old Luciana Vandette, charmed the audience with her yodeling, garnering “awws” from the audience. The children used props throughout the song, such as socks for goat ears while jumping on the bed, bridging the set to the story in an engaging way.
Haddie Mac, who played the mischievous Brigitta von Trapp, provided another stellar performance for the evening. Her line delivery felt thoughtful, stopping for dramatic pauses and hitting her sassy remarks with punch. A clear crowd favorite, Mac brought laughs from the audience, whether she was helping Rainer understand her love for Captain Georg von Trapp or simply bringing biting honesty to scenes of complex, political tension.
Aside from singing and dancing, the performance found balance in its moments of stillness, such as a tender dance scene between Rainer and Georg, played by Kevin Earley. The scene allowed audiences to slow down, soaking in the connection between the love interests set to soothing music from the orchestra pit.
After intermission, the play began to drag slightly, with its approximately three-hour run time prioritizing the development of plot rather than musical numbers. The dense beginnings of the second act proved slightly less engaging due to excess dialogue and less memorable musical performances.
As the conflict developed, the performance picked up. In particular, the beautiful ballad, “Edelweiss,” gave Earley an opportunity to showcase his higher register. By the time the von Trapps sang “So Long, Farewell,” it felt time to say goodnight to a beautifully crafted, talented cast of performers.
4 does, a female deer, out of 5
