When I was eight, I played Gretl in a production of The Sound Of Music. When I was nineteen, in my final year of high school, I played flute in the orchestra of another production. I know every line, every note, every cue of this show. I was a bit afraid that that would actually take away from my enjoyment of this production -- if there are *no* surprises left, can you still completely enjoy a show? The answer, at least after seeing the revival of The Sound of Music at the Martin Beck Theatre, is a resounding yes. This production is a delight from beginning to end. The sets and costumes are absolutely gorgeous, and every performance was fantastic. Special mention must go right at the beginning to Rebecca Luker as Maria. Ms. Luker had some *very* big shoes to fill (Julie Andrews and Mary Martin are hard acts to follow!) but she does a phenomenal job as Maria, giving the character her own interpretation while still remaining true to the spirit of the woman and the history of the performances that have preceded hers. Her voice is as sweet, but powerful, as could be, and she commands the stage. It was easy to understand why the children and the Captain fell in love with her so quickly. Since seeing this production I have begun to follow Ms. Luker's career and she has been a delight in everything I've seen her in. She has one of the most glorious voices I've ever heard, and is the most gracious, kind and lovely woman.

"The hills are alive with the sound of music" - Rebecca Luker as Maria

Sara Zelle and Dashiell Eaves, Liesl and Rolf, from the original cast

Dennis Parlato was also wonderful as the Captain - I have to admit that Christopher Plummer remains my favourite Captain, but Mr. Parlato gave a fantastic, and surprisingly moving, performance. The children were all perfect for their roles -- extremely talented and beautiful performers. Sara Zelle was especially notable as Liesl, as was Tracy Alison Walsh as Brigitta. (Lou Taylor Pucci, Nora Blackall, Marshall Pailet, Andrea Bowen and Christiana Anbri played the other children.) Although she had an annoying way of breathing before each line of her songs, Kay McClelland was a very impressive Baroness Schraeder, and I *loved* Patrick Quinn as Max Detweiler. Very amusing. And Jeanne Lehman’s Mother Abbess had perhaps the most beautiful moment of the show with her rendition of Climb Every Mountain. Stunning.

The children

Rebecca Luker and Michael Siberry, from the original cast

I very much liked the integration of songs from the original stage play and the movie - the only song that is not in this production is Maria and the Captain’s original love song “An Ordinary Couple,” which never did much for me, anyway! :-) I much prefer “Something Good” which was written by Richard Rodgers for the movie. They have also included “I Have Confidence” from the movie, while keeping Baroness Schraeder’s songs, which were unfortunately cut from the motion picture. I’m not as wild about the moving around of some of the songs - I really liked the staging of “My Favourite Things” with Maria and the Mother Abbess, and I miss the “Do-Re-Mi” concert arrangement. However, Richard Rodgers’ music and Oscar Hammerstein’s lyrics still shine after all these years, and Bruce Coughlin’s new orchestrations prove there’s lots of life left in the show yet. All in all, this was a dazzling production, well worth a visit. It was capable of both thrilling old friends of the show and enticing new ones with every note. A lovely, lovely show, and since it has been a part of my life for so long, it was only fitting that it be my first Broadway show. I will always have fond memories of it.

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