Act 1 DeSales University Theatres lovely production of "The Sound of Music" is totally delightful and heartrendingly moving.
The musical which runs through May 8 on the Main Stage of the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts is as beautiful to look at as it is to listen to.
Abigail Vernon is perfectly genuine as naive novice turned governess Maria. Her wide-eyed reactions resonate and her sweet openness makes it clear why everyone falls in love with her. She shines on her songs from "My Favorite Things" to the iconic "Do-Re-Mi."
As Captain Von Trapp, William Pearce is initially stern but allows the character's resolve and warmth to slip through. His "Edelweiss" is particularly poignant.
The children are all natural, appealing and harmonize well.
As 16-year-old Liesel, Emily Tazza is enjoyably spunky and her "Sixteen going on Seventeen" is a delight with Tazzas Liesel more confident and playful, teasing Rolf (well done by Derek Elliott Jr.)
As the other children “ Tim Sees Jr as Friedrich; Samantha Stec as Louisa; Harrington Bostian as Kurt; Gabby Snyder as Brigitta; Mia Moyer as Marta and Abigail Dodd as Gretl “ all convey the individualities of their characters and have warm chemistry among themselves and with Vernons Maria, especially in the thunderstorm scene and "The Lonely Goatherd."
As the Mother Abbess, Sydney Abbot conveys a quiet strength and is in wonderful voice on "Maria" and "Climb Evry Mountain." She is ably aided by Megan Castellane, Josie LaTorres and Alicia Brogan as well-meaning but all-too-human nuns.
Giovanni Marinis Max is a likable scoundrel and Marini gives him a depth that belies the characters amusing opportunism. Marini and Brielle Lewandowski as the Captains pragmatic fiance Elsa are amusing in "How Can Love Survive" and "No Way to Stop It."
Set designer Will Neuert has created an evocative Nonnberg Abbey, with projected stained glass windows and the backdrop of the Austrian mountains is enchanting. When the Von Tapp family heads up scaffolding against the backdrop of the mountains, with the nuns singing in the foreground and the lighting mimicking early dawn, the effect is stunning.
Director John Bells attention to detail really elevates this production, adding another layer to the story in many instances.
Costume designer Sam Fleming has designed a pretty palette of period 1930s costumes and Eric T. Haugen lighting enhances every scenes.
Christine Baglivios choreography is energetic and appealing, and I especially enjoyed the insertion of solfege hand motions in "Do-Re-Mi."
Performance are 8 p.m. April 29 to30 and May 4 to 6; 2 p.m. May 1 and 8; 9:45 a.m. May 2 and 2 and 8 p.m. May 7. There will be a talkback with the cast after the May 2 show.
Will Hammerstein, the grandson of "The Sound of Music" lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II, will speak following the May 1 performance of "The Sound of Music." The performance is sold out, but Hammersteins talk will be live streamed on the DeSales Performing Arts Departments Facebook and Instagram pages.
The 2 p.m. May 7 performance will feature open captioning for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing and audio descriptions for patrons who are blind or visually impaired. Tickets are half price for patrons using these special services. Call box office manager Kyle Schumaker at 610-282-3654, ext. 1, for information.
Ticket prices are $34 for adults and $32 for students and seniors Monday through Thursday and $35 for adults and $33 for students and seniors Friday through Sunday.
Masks are optional while inside the Labuda Center.
For information, call 610-282-3192, or go to tickets.desales.edu.