MUST SEEREVIEWSTheatre ReviewsTom Williams

The Sound of Music 2016 National Tour

Music by Richard Rodgerssom13

Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II

Book by Howard Lindsay and Russell Crouse

Directed by Jack O’ Brien

Musical Direction by Andy Einhorn

Choreography by Danny Mefford

Produced by Broadway In Chicago

At The Palace Theatre, Chicago

Wonderful young spirited actress leads sweet production of iconic musical

One of the all-time great musicals, The Sound of Music, contains one of the finest musical scores and is the ultimate “feel-good” Broadway musical. Director Jack O’Brien has mounted a fine Equity National Tour production filled with talented performers, including a darling group of children.

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The Sound of Music is set in Austria in 1938 and is the story of Maria (Kerstin Anderson), a loving novitiate who is sent to be the governess to the seven van Trapp children. She teaches the kids to sing and wins their hearts with her unconditionally loving spirit and energy. Maria also falls for the Captain (Ben Davis). The family is forced to flee the Nazis before the Captain is forced to join the German navy. Based on a true story, The Sound of Music is a charming, heartwarming musical treat containing some of the best known show tunes and filled with enough goodness and purity to entertain all ages.

Kerstin Anderson is a wonderful Maria, as she is instantly likable with an innocence and bubbling energy and an outstanding voice. Ben Davis is commanding as the stern naval Captain. Terry Hansen and Merwin Foard effectively land “How Can Love Survive” and “No Way To Stop It.” Melody Betts’s stirring “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” soared.

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The seven children were marvelous. Paige Silvester as Lisel and Dan  Tracy as Rolf  sang nicely, danced, and flirted in “Sixteen Going on Seventeen.” The children were charming, well rehearsed and landed their songs and movements with precision. The “Do-Re-Me” song, led my Anderson’s Maria was special. These kids were so lovable.

The Sound of Music is so sweet, so pure that it can’t help but please. This is solid family entertainment. This National Tour is charming and well executed; it is a star-making role for Kerstin Anderson, still a college student. She anchors a wonderful production. Hurry, you only have through Sunday, June 12.

Highly Recommended

Tom Williams

Date Reviewed: June 8, 2016

For more info checkout The Sound of Music page at theatreinchicago.com

At the Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph, Chicago, IL, tickets $24 – $115, Call 800-775-2000, www.broadwayinchicago.com,  Thursday, June 9 at 7:30 pm, Friday, June 10 at 7:30 pm, Saturday, June 11 at2 & 8 pm, Sunday, June 12 at 2 pm, running time is 2 hours, 30 minutes with intermission, through June 12, 2016