The Sound of Music
at Northwood High School

Reviewed on February 27, 2014

Yamini Nambimadom
University High School
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Euphony and Charm in Northwood's "Sound of Music"

Yamini Nambimadom is a Sophomore at University High School in Irvine.

Maria Rainer is on her way to become a nun, Captain von Trapp is bitter over the current state of his country, and his children have never heard of such a thing as "fun". All of that is about to change.

Rodgers and Hammerstein's "The Sound of Music", written in 1959, documents the experiences of the von Trapp family in the wake of World War II. In search of the identity and harmony they seem to have misplaced, the family welcomes in a new governess, and she wastes no time in showing them just what they have been missing.

Northwood's production of the classic musical effectively captures the frenzy brought on by the German Anschluss. Stunning set pieces and mellifluous orchestral music emphasize actors' versatility, making for a memorable rendering of an unforgettable show.

Wide-eyed and grinning, Shannon Booth showcases Maria Rainer's warmth and friendliness. Her rich tone and honeyed head voice highlight her whimsical physicality and tenderness. Opposite Maria, Kameron Johnson plays stern, hardworking Captain von Trapp. Johnson cleverly reacts to his scene partners; he is able to display both aloofness and affection through dynamic vocal inflection and timely responses.

The von Trapp children's exuberance brings the show to life. Each actor incorporates a unique quirkiness into their character, believably developing a family, as witnessed in "The Lonely Goatherd". Katherine Paladichuk's reactions as Brigitta von Trapp, the nine-year-old mischief-maker, are uproarious. K. Paladichuk sneakily crawls in the background, making comical banter and sticking her nose in everyone's business. Her animated facial expressions add to Brigitta's charm. Claire Paladichuk tackles the obstacles of adolescence for Brigitta's older sister, Liesl. In "Sixteen Going on Seventeen", C. Paladichuk's evasive movements and childlike behavior demonstrate Liesl's ultimate innocence, despite her yearnings for romance and adulthood. The Nuns of Nonnberg Abbey chime in at various times with melodious voices. Their smooth layering of vocal parts demonstrates prowess and furnishes the stage with pleasing harmonies.

Northwood Orchestra's resonant music transitions nicely into each scene. The variety of string, wind, and percussion instruments layer to create a textured, captivating sound, which distracts viewers from slightly prolonged scene changes. Although occasionally failing to differentiate age amongst characters, the actors' hair and makeup shows a suitable balance between understated and overdone.

Exploring the metamorphic power of love and music, Northwood High's "The Sound of Music" is intrepid, inspiring, and eye-opening.

Yamini Nambimadom
University High School
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Euphony and Charm in Northwood's "Sound of Music"

Yamini Nambimadom is a Sophomore at University High School in Irvine.

Maria Rainer is on her way to become a nun, Captain von Trapp is bitter over the current state of his country, and his children have never heard of such a thing as "fun". All of that is about to change.

Rodgers and Hammerstein's "The Sound of Music", written in 1959, documents the experiences of the von Trapp family in the wake of World War II. In search of the identity and harmony they seem to have misplaced, the family welcomes in a new governess, and she wastes no time in showing them just what they have been missing.

Northwood's production of the classic musical effectively captures the frenzy brought on by the German Anschluss. Stunning set pieces and mellifluous orchestral music emphasize actors' versatility, making for a memorable rendering of an unforgettable show.

Wide-eyed and grinning, Shannon Booth showcases Maria Rainer's warmth and friendliness. Her rich tone and honeyed head voice highlight her whimsical physicality and tenderness. Opposite Maria, Kameron Johnson plays stern, hardworking Captain von Trapp. Johnson cleverly reacts to his scene partners; he is able to display both aloofness and affection through dynamic vocal inflection and timely responses.

The von Trapp children's exuberance brings the show to life. Each actor incorporates a unique quirkiness into their character, believably developing a family, as witnessed in "The Lonely Goatherd". Katherine Paladichuk's reactions as Brigitta von Trapp, the nine-year-old mischief-maker, are uproarious. K. Paladichuk sneakily crawls in the background, making comical banter and sticking her nose in everyone's business. Her animated facial expressions add to Brigitta's charm. Claire Paladichuk tackles the obstacles of adolescence for Brigitta's older sister, Liesl. In "Sixteen Going on Seventeen", C. Paladichuk's evasive movements and childlike behavior demonstrate Liesl's ultimate innocence, despite her yearnings for romance and adulthood. The Nuns of Nonnberg Abbey chime in at various times with melodious voices. Their smooth layering of vocal parts demonstrates prowess and furnishes the stage with pleasing harmonies.

Northwood Orchestra's resonant music transitions nicely into each scene. The variety of string, wind, and percussion instruments layer to create a textured, captivating sound, which distracts viewers from slightly prolonged scene changes. Although occasionally failing to differentiate age amongst characters, the actors' hair and makeup shows a suitable balance between understated and overdone.

Exploring the metamorphic power of love and music, Northwood High's "The Sound of Music" is intrepid, inspiring, and eye-opening.

Allie Graydon
Tesoro
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Love is as easy as "do-re-mi" at Northwood

Allie Graydon is a Senior at Tesoro High School in Las Flores

Heartwarming music, contrasting characters, and a blend of solemnity and fun make Northwood's production of The Sound of Music inspirational and hopeful. The musical takes place in 1930's Austria and follows a young woman, Maria, as she becomes the governess of the strict von Trapp family. Through her musical teachings, she attempts to bring joy to the solemn household as they cope with new threats to their homeland.

With a bright, cheerful voice and spritely gait, Shannon Booth is amiable and brimming with joy as Maria. Her face is youthful with a constant smile and bright eyes, revealing her character's vitality, and her gentle voice soars through high notes during "The Sound of Music." She is playful and warm around the children, twirling and swishing her skirts with lively steps when trying to cheer them up. Her kind demeanor is contrasted with her equally strong determination, as she stands taller to look the Captain in the eye, raising her voice suddenly to get his attention.

Kameron Johnson is stern and commanding as Captain Georg von Trapp with a stiff, military march and deep, unwavering voice. His hands are always placed neatly behind his back and he stares straight ahead, his cold attitude the perfect foil for Maria's energetic personality. However, his character shifts as he becomes warmer toward the children and Maria, a smile breaking through his stoic expression as he rushes to hug them suddenly. His voice is riddled with affection as he sings of his beloved Austria in "Edelweiss."

With exaggerated facial expressions and a loud, childish voice, Katherine Paladichuk is comical and bursting with youthful energy as Brigitta. Her matter-of-fact tone hilariously accentuates her compulsive, offensive outbursts and her taunting smile reflects her immaturity. She shifts quickly from frowning and crossing her arms when upset to smiling widely and turning her head from Maria to Georg as they dance.

Hair and makeup by Miriam Chen and Crisylle Blanton reflect traditional Austrian styles with a braided bun on Maria and braided pigtails on the younger girls. Light blush and neutral lip colors keep the children's faces looking fresh and bright, while elegant ladies have bold red lips.

Northwood's heartfelt production reveals the elation that music and love can bring to one's heart even in the midst of turmoil. The Sound of Music presents family in perfect harmony.

Allie Graydon
Tesoro
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Love is as easy as "do-re-mi" at Northwood

Allie Graydon is a Senior at Tesoro High School in Las Flores

Heartwarming music, contrasting characters, and a blend of solemnity and fun make Northwood's production of The Sound of Music inspirational and hopeful. The musical takes place in 1930's Austria and follows a young woman, Maria, as she becomes the governess of the strict von Trapp family. Through her musical teachings, she attempts to bring joy to the solemn household as they cope with new threats to their homeland.

With a bright, cheerful voice and spritely gait, Shannon Booth is amiable and brimming with joy as Maria. Her face is youthful with a constant smile and bright eyes, revealing her character's vitality, and her gentle voice soars through high notes during "The Sound of Music." She is playful and warm around the children, twirling and swishing her skirts with lively steps when trying to cheer them up. Her kind demeanor is contrasted with her equally strong determination, as she stands taller to look the Captain in the eye, raising her voice suddenly to get his attention.

Kameron Johnson is stern and commanding as Captain Georg von Trapp with a stiff, military march and deep, unwavering voice. His hands are always placed neatly behind his back and he stares straight ahead, his cold attitude the perfect foil for Maria's energetic personality. However, his character shifts as he becomes warmer toward the children and Maria, a smile breaking through his stoic expression as he rushes to hug them suddenly. His voice is riddled with affection as he sings of his beloved Austria in "Edelweiss."

With exaggerated facial expressions and a loud, childish voice, Katherine Paladichuk is comical and bursting with youthful energy as Brigitta. Her matter-of-fact tone hilariously accentuates her compulsive, offensive outbursts and her taunting smile reflects her immaturity. She shifts quickly from frowning and crossing her arms when upset to smiling widely and turning her head from Maria to Georg as they dance.

Hair and makeup by Miriam Chen and Crisylle Blanton reflect traditional Austrian styles with a braided bun on Maria and braided pigtails on the younger girls. Light blush and neutral lip colors keep the children's faces looking fresh and bright, while elegant ladies have bold red lips.

Northwood's heartfelt production reveals the elation that music and love can bring to one's heart even in the midst of turmoil. The Sound of Music presents family in perfect harmony.

Danielle Darling
Aliso Niguel High School
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

The Hills are Alive at Northwood High School

Beautiful music rings everywhere in Salzburg, Austria, from the abbey to the mountains to the house of the von Trapp children, and it all happens on stage at Northwood High School's production of The Sound of Music.

The Sound of Music, music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse first opened November 16, 1659. The story is set on the cusp of World War II and follows Maria Rainer, a postulant at the Nonnberg Abbey, who comes to the von Trapp household to be a governess of the seven children who live with their father, navy submarine captain Georg von Trapp.

Maria is played by Shannon Booth, who we first see on stage as a young postulate with a strong voice singing the title song "The Sound of Music". Booth is able to display Maria's childlike innocence with the nuns and the warm motherly figure that the von Trapp children desperately need. Her relationship with Captain von Trapp (Kameron Johnson) transforms as well, from two strongly opinionated characters butting heads, to adoring husband and wife. Both Booth and Johnson produce strong characters not only as a couple but individually as well.

The von Trapp children are a lively and fun source of entertainment throughout the show. Katherine Paladichuk portrays Brigitta, the witty nine year old with facial expressions audiences could see from the back row and brilliantly displays the naïve confidence that children have. Claire Paladichuk, as Liesl, is separate from the other children with her own small love story. In "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" she not only displays a beautiful voice, but a lovesick girl who wants to be an adult.

The astoundingly talented Northwood High School Orchestra accompanies the show and fills the house with a beautiful score. Unfortunately, there are moments when the actors' voices are lost under the instrumental but others where they blend perfectly. The show's Marketing and Publicity team (Andrea Zhang, Patricia Dimaandal, Rebecca Chen) created a picturesque image for their playbill and poster, capturing Maria running through the hills and adding the effect of brushstrokes in a painting.

Overall, Northwood High School's performance of The Sound of Music delivers the importance of moral courage and love to one's home and family beautifully.

Danielle Darling
Aliso Niguel High School
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

The Hills are Alive at Northwood High School

Beautiful music rings everywhere in Salzburg, Austria, from the abbey to the mountains to the house of the von Trapp children, and it all happens on stage at Northwood High School's production of The Sound of Music.

The Sound of Music, music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse first opened November 16, 1659. The story is set on the cusp of World War II and follows Maria Rainer, a postulant at the Nonnberg Abbey, who comes to the von Trapp household to be a governess of the seven children who live with their father, navy submarine captain Georg von Trapp.

Maria is played by Shannon Booth, who we first see on stage as a young postulate with a strong voice singing the title song "The Sound of Music". Booth is able to display Maria's childlike innocence with the nuns and the warm motherly figure that the von Trapp children desperately need. Her relationship with Captain von Trapp (Kameron Johnson) transforms as well, from two strongly opinionated characters butting heads, to adoring husband and wife. Both Booth and Johnson produce strong characters not only as a couple but individually as well.

The von Trapp children are a lively and fun source of entertainment throughout the show. Katherine Paladichuk portrays Brigitta, the witty nine year old with facial expressions audiences could see from the back row and brilliantly displays the naïve confidence that children have. Claire Paladichuk, as Liesl, is separate from the other children with her own small love story. In "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" she not only displays a beautiful voice, but a lovesick girl who wants to be an adult.

The astoundingly talented Northwood High School Orchestra accompanies the show and fills the house with a beautiful score. Unfortunately, there are moments when the actors' voices are lost under the instrumental but others where they blend perfectly. The show's Marketing and Publicity team (Andrea Zhang, Patricia Dimaandal, Rebecca Chen) created a picturesque image for their playbill and poster, capturing Maria running through the hills and adding the effect of brushstrokes in a painting.

Overall, Northwood High School's performance of The Sound of Music delivers the importance of moral courage and love to one's home and family beautifully.