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Rockwall Summer Musicals Kicks Off with Sound of Music

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Utley Middle School

Anyone brave enough to step up to playing a role that has become as closely identified with an iconic figure like Julie Andrews gets my attention right away. My expectations were not especially high as we seated ourselves for Saturday night's performance of The Sound of Music as presented by the newly-formed Rockwall Summer Musicals organization. How could a local theatre group possibly do justice to one of the most popular musical productions ever made, closing its original run on Broadway after over 1400 performances, and seen by millions in a film version which won five Oscars and remains one of the top-grossing movies of all time?

As it turns out, I need not have worried. As the free-spirited heroine Maria, Rachael Bower embraced the role, making each song her own and showing just the right balance of comedy and drama that the script demands. She was fully convincing as the timid and unsure new governess progressing to the strong and confident new baroness and leader of the family choir. Her voice, strong and clear, was more than up to the task of rendering some of the most recognizable and challenging tunes in the show.

If Maria's voice was strong, that of the Mother Abbess, portrayed by Shelley Aubrey, could only be described as muscular, driving home the positive theme of "Climb Ev'ry Mountain", making the audience want to go out and do just that. Russell Batchelor's Captain was at once haughty and tender, and each of the children held their own, in turn showing off their individual personalities, some hilarious, during their scenes.

The staging was superb, each scene change done smoothly. Both interior and exterior scenes were convincing and did not distract in any way from the performances. Costuming was well done. When the nuns appeared in the opening scene, I felt compelled to sit up straight and behave myself. As for the music, it was hard to believe that the orchestra consisted of only fifteen members, many doing double duty and ably directed by Roberta Pavlov.

As wonderful a venue as the Utley Performing Arts Center is, the only quibble might the lack of an orchestra pit. Situated as it had to be at one side of the audience, those seated closest to the orchestra sometimes felt overwhelmed by it, struggling to hear the voices on the stage.

It was an excellent first time out for our Rockwall Summer Musicals. Next up is Oklahoma on August 5th, 6th and 7th.

For more information, visit www.rockwallsummermusicals.com

More pictures from June 26 performance.