Front Row Reviewers

High Valley Arts’ Sound of Music is a Familiar, Charming Musical for All Ages

Front Row Reviewers

Front Row Reviewers

By K.D. Shawgo

For their traditional summer musical High Valley Arts offers a warm-hearted, community production of The Sound of Music on their outdoor stage, just a block off of Main Street in the charming town of Midway, Utah. Patrons are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy a pre-show provided by various local musicians and bring a picnic dinner to enjoy on the grass. The atmosphere is casual yet lively and very family-friendly. 

We see a multi-faceted, single stage set (Carolyn Robison) with each section of it hinting at scenes to come and prominently showcasing a large backdrop with a picturesque photo of the Central Alps. But nothing could be more dramatic than the natural setting just beyond the stage. Grand cumulus clouds, reflecting pink light, billow over the green hills and the blue mountains of the Wasatch Back on opening night. The sun setting stage left lent its magic glow to Maria Rainer, (Mary Eckersley) as she wandered dreamily down through the audience cradling a basket of wildflowers, opening the show with the Rogers and Hammerstein gem, “The Hills are Alive.”  Eckersley, a High Valley favorite, blonde, dimpled, and immediately likeable, has a voice that is clear and sweet and puts the audience gently at ease, settling us in for an enjoyable 2-hour 20 minutes of this beloved tale of the now famous Trapp Family Singers

Set in Salzburg, Austria in the late 1930’s, the shadow of Nazi control is creeping into the lives of these well-loved characters. As elite German stormtroopers infiltrate their town, friend and family loyalties begin to divide. Planning to become a nun, flighty and headstrong postulant Maria has found refuge with the strict sisters of Nonnberg Abby, a convent led by Mother Abbess (Joan Olson.) With a mid-Atlantic accent and discerning, wise but cheerful nature, Ms. Olson grounds the storytelling with her excellent vocal technique and control especially when joined by the quirky choir of nuns and novices (Madelynn Hunter, Erin Corbridge, Jenn Iverson, Bailee Clifton, Mari Magalei, Julianna Smith, and others) singing “Maria.” All impress with a beautiful vocal blend, a highlight of this production, as they send misfit Maria off to become a governess. Hats off as well to Musical Director Daniel Clegg and sound director (Meriadoc Von Roosendaal) as this blend is a feat difficult to achieve outdoors. 

After some exposition provided by comically exasperated housekeeper Frau Schmidt (April Owens), we meet aristocratic Captain Georg von Trapp (David McMaster) as he commands his seven uniform-clad children to attention by use of a bosun’s whistle. His portrayal is serious yet melancholy and vulnerable 

Unlike most stern characterizations of the Captain, the production allows McMaster to cheer up and even heal more than just soften his disciplined parenting style over the course of The Sound of Music. The von Trapp children are a delightful bunch, quite tall in this cast, with adorable costumes (Tasha Grosbeck, Kay Rust) and very pleasant voices that have some in the friendly audience happily singing along with them during “Favorite Things”, “Do-Re-Mi” and the “The Lonely Goatherd.” The latter also featured the actors puppeteering adorable marionettes. 

Another crowd pleaser was the iconic duet and sweetly romantic dance number “Sixteen Going on Seventeen,” choreographed by the director, Mindy McMaster (, assisted by Laura Wardle and Juliana Smith), and performed by besotted teen daughter Liesl (Brinley Lent) complete with a full, flowy chiffon skirt. Clueless, impressionable telegram delivery boy Rolf (Brad McLean) in this lovely scene.

Stand out performances were given by the ever-elegant, would-be fiancé Elsa Schraeder (Lisa Blaser) and lovable but self-serving, musical director and family friend Max Detweiler, director Clegg. Both strong, well-defined characters with excellent vocal strength and comic timing, they overpower the gentler Georg during two enjoyable numbers, not included in the famous movie, sing “How Can Love Survive” and “No Way to Stop It.” Both propel the plot forward by forcing Georg to face two life-altering decisions that bring both love and danger. 

On opening night’s sold out performance, this community theater cast and crew were warmly thanked for their artistic offering with a generous standing ovation after a sudden summer rainstorm and firm breeze added heightened drama to the Finale Ultimo: “Climb Every Mountain.” Overall, a light and enjoyable version of this charming and memorable favorite; excellent family entertainment. 

High Valley Arts presents The Sound of Music, music by Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein, book by Howard Lindsay and Richard Crouse.
,, 400 East 250 South Midway, Utah 84049
July 1-16, 2022 Wednesday-Saturday July 6-9, Monday July 11, Wednesday-Saturday July 13-168:15 PM
Contact: 435-962-0434, info@highvalleyarts.org
Tickets: Premium Seats Adults $16, children $13, General Admission Adults $14, children $10, tickets available at highvalleyarts.org, or at the theater beginning at 7:00 PM
High Valley Arts Facebook Page
Sound of Music Facebook Event

Front Row Reviewers

Front Row Reviewers

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