The Sound Of Music
at Brethren Christian High School

Reviewed on April 12, 2014

Nikki Tran
Fountain Valley High School
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Brethren Christian's ‘Sound' strikes a chord

Nikki Tran is senior at Fountain Valley High School in Fountain Valley.

The hymns of the nuns – haunting, soul-stirring, and ethereal – can be heard throughout the halls of the Nonnberg Abbey. Yet, for Maria Rainer, it's only when she ventures beyond the convent that she is finally able to listen to the music with her heart and soul.

Detailing Maria's journey to discover her identity and purpose in life, Brethren Christian's production of "The Sound of Music" is full of warmth, rich vocal harmonies, and subtle performances that easily make the show become a favorite thing.

Monica Overton frolics on with a gentle and youthful glee as the fun-loving postulant-turned-governess Maria. Wrapping the children tightly within the folds of her arms and crouching down to speak to them face-to-face, she brings an attentive and nurturing presence that relieves the militant air of the von Trapp household. This sensitivity heightens during "The Lonely Goatherd" where she calms and delights the children with her playful yodels and stunning soprano voice.

Stomping in rank and file, the von Trapp children shed their orderly guise and resume being children – romping, leapfrogging, and laughing about – once their new governess arrives. This is true for Abigail Heilman who waltzes in as the eldest child Liesel. She is giddy and innocently flirty in "Sixteen Going On Seventeen" where she pulls in messenger boy Rolf, played by Bryson Burns, and plants a peck on his lips.

To counter these childlike antics, Spencer Stong stands stiffly, folds his arms, and whistles orders as widowed Captain von Trapp. However, Maria, too, touches his distant heart. During the party scene, the duo becomes lost in each other's eyes, and, through his firm grasp of her waist and stolen glances, his affection for her is present yet subtle.

The lighting design of Erik Alkire captures these romantic stirrings. In this scene, a glow of pink and purple cloaks the couple to convey their budding love whereas, later, a wash of red floods the stage to echo mounting chaos.

Still, it's the ensemble of the Nuns' Choir that completes the show. Leading the sister act is Jordan Thomas as sagacious Mother Abbess. Her soaring vibrato joins with the angelic harmonies of the nuns to create hymns of heavenly clarity.

Brethren Christian's "The Sound of Music" divines a truth on family, love, and integrity, proving that with all three, it's possible to "Climb Ev'ry Mountain."

Serena O'Sullivan
Los Alamitos High School
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Brethren Christian High School Comes Alive with "The Sound of Music"

Serena O'Sullivan is a senior at Los Alamitos High School in Los Alamitos.

Brethren Christian High School takes its audience back in time with "The Sound of Music," a musical that follows the lives of the Von Trapps, an ordinary Austrian family who live during WWII and refuse to conform to the evils of the rapidly encroaching Nazism.

The classic musical, written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, is given an enthusiastic adaptation with a minimalist approach. Since the stage is set in the middle of the school's walkway, space is limited, and the choice to use projections rather than sets is both unique and effective. Bathed by shadows, the accompanying orchestra stays hidden while providing music so precise that it can easily be misunderstood as pre-recorded.

Monica Overton shines as in her role as the bright-eyed and big-hearted Maria Rainer, the Postulant sent to work as a governess for the Von Trapp children. Although her character visibly matures as the play progresses, shown through interactions with the children that grow from friendly to motherly, Overton's Maria retains her inherent warmth and energy throughout the performance.

Spencer Stong portrays Captain Georg von Trapp with an air both dignified and poised; his stiff body movements accentuate his military background. His friend, Max Detweiler, is an opportunist whose simultaneous sleaziness and sincerity is portrayed through Matthew Holevas' earnest delivery and confident stage presence. Hannah Cordy bestows the Captain's bride-to-be, Elsa, Baroness Schraeder, with an elegant saunter and solid vocals that especially shine in "How Can Love Survive?"

The ensemble of nuns makes a beautiful and haunting choir, especially in the show's opening song, "Preludium." Among a cast filled with capable singers, Jordan Thomas shines as the Mother Abbess. She stuns the audience with her broad vocal range and emotion in "Climb Ev'ry Mountain," wherein her powerful and operatic voice climbs octaves until it reaches its dramatic climax.

Lighting by Erik Alkire is both subtle and effective. During romantic scenes, the actors are bathed in soft pink light, but later on in the play, when the Von Trapps are forced to perform at Salzburg Festival for a crowd of Nazis, red light glows upon them, emphasizing the violence of Nazi rule.

With talented singers, a creative crew and a capable orchestra, Brethren Christian High School's production of "The Sound of Music" leaves its audience with "Something Good."

Veronica Perry
Tri-School
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

BC's "Sound of Music" hits all the right notes

Veronica Perry is a sophomore at Tri-School in Anaheim

A line of sisters process through the halls of Salzburg Abbey, pouring out hymns that hauntingly settle over the room. The audience is met with placid expressions and orderly lines, and a tranquil atmosphere is created. The lights darken, then go up to reveal rolling mountains and a young woman blissfully singing, heart infused with the beauty of her surroundings and the joy of her song, with a lively energy that greatly contrasts the earlier mood.

This young woman is Maria Rainer, a postulate whose adventurous spirit make her a case that bewilders the other nuns at the abbey. When they think that the religious life is not her path, Maria is sent to the house of the strict Captain von Trapp. There she endeavors to bring joy and love back into the lives of his children, and unintentionally melts his heart along the way.

Spirited and full of life is Monica Overton as Maria, giving a fresh take on the classic character. She fully embodies the independent nature of her role as she interacts with Captain von Trapp (Spencer Stong), trilling her whistle and confidently asserting herself, undeterred by his overbearing presence. Overton proves a worthy maternal figure, tenderly comforting the youngest children with caring hugs and bright smiles, especially when helping Lisel (Abigail Heilman) through the troubles that accompany young love.

Jordan Thomas beautifully portrays the Mother Abbess. Her clear, smooth diction and calm demeanor reflect her character's position, and she tackles "Climb Every Mountain" with astonishing skill and range.

Hannah Cordy plays the charming yet arrogant Baroness Schraeder, whose collected demeanor occasionally breaks to reveal underlying distaste or jealousy. Her companion, Max Detweiler (played by Matthew Holevas ) wins over the other characters with his wit and charm. Seemingly invested in his own self-interest, he fronts an everything-is-okay attitude, but later reveals a good heart as he aids the family in their escape.

Lighting design is beautifully executed by Erik Alkire, whose painstaking design process pays off. Choices such as using fresh, bright colors in the happier moments then transitioning to deep reds for darker scenes enhance the show tremendously. The Pit Orchestra bring the score to life, surpassing the expectation of a high-school orchestra.

Filled with solid vocals, endearing moments, and heartfelt messages, Brethren Christian's "Sound of Music" will be one of your favorite things.