The Sound of Music at The Grand Theatre is Marvellous ~ DownshiftingPRO

Each vacation season, The Grand Theatre in London, Ontario, brings a musical to life that captures the magic of the season. This 12 months, Inventive Director Rachel Peake tackles the enduring The Sound of Music, a beloved basic that has enchanted audiences for practically sixty years.

As a younger youngster, I’ll always remember profitable tickets to see the film with my household—a reminiscence that has stayed with me via the years. The songs, the dance, and the unforgettable love story stay one in every of my favorite childhood reminiscences. This vacation manufacturing provides an opportunity for younger households to create their very own lasting reminiscences as they expertise this timeless story collectively on stage.

The musical’s story facilities round Maria (performed by Dominique LeBlanc – final seen on the Grand Theatre in Managed Injury), a would-be nun who abandons her research to sing songs on the Austrian mountainside.

Not totally satisfied she is going to make a devoted nun, Mom Abess (performed brilliantly by Janelle Cooper) sends Maria to the von Trapp household to turn into the brand new governess. I loved her efficiency, with probably the most compelling track of the manufacturing being when Ms. Cooper sang on the finish of Act One. Her rendition of Climb Ev’ry Mountain introduced down the home.

The Sound of Music Janelle Cooper Dominique Leblanc Photo Credit DownshiftingPRO — Janelle Cooper and Dominque LeBlanc in The Sound of Music Photograph Credit score: DownshiftingPRO

My dialog with Ms. Cooper on the media name targeted on her life in Toronto. Rising up with a single mother and going through challenges all through her life, she has been in theatre for over 20 years and feels she has a voice to deliver higher illustration to the stage. Inside that mandate, she is the founding father of Ellipsis Tree Collective—Alberta’s first Black-led and Black-focused theatre firm.

On December twelfth, I might encourage you to attend the present and keep for a particular London Black Neighborhood Night time reception within the Drewlo Lounge. This reception will function candy treats and a post-show chat. Firm members, together with Janelle Cooper (Mom Abbess) and Music Director Alexandra Kane, will provide you with a deeper understanding of the present and their position in creating this spectacular manufacturing!

Different notable standouts embrace Maria, performed by Dominique LeBlanc. This younger, enthusiastic Nova Scotia native has carried out since she was six. With a number one position as Maria when she was about seven or eight, she acknowledged The Sound of Music on the Grand Theatre is a full circle second.

Ms. LeBlanc energizes the stage and has the vocal energy to hold the lead position. Her interplay with the children-actors feels real and at all times encouraging. Her chemistry with Captain von Trapp (Adam Stevenson) is much less compelling. That has extra to do with Mr. Stevenson than Ms. LeBlanc. I discovered his efficiency considerably stiff and unconvincing when he ‘falls in love’ with Maria.

The Sound of Music Dominique LeBlanc Adam Stevenson with WWM Cast Photo Credit Dahlia Katz via Grand Theatre — L-R: Tade Calder, Junior Van Geffen, Oforiwa Ofori, Dominique LeBlanc, Adam Stevenson, Finley Campbell, Raya Campbell, Lyla Sofa, Crystal Casera Photograph Credit score: Dahlia Katz through Grand Theatre

I first noticed Mr. Stevenson within the Million Greenback Quartet, enjoying Johnny Money—a manufacturing I beloved! I felt he was extra at house with that play than this one. His singing appeared a bit extra retrained and higher suited to nation music than Rogers & Hammerstein’s.

The kids actors on this manufacturing had been excellent. All between the ages of 6 – 16 (with one in every of final 12 months’s favourites – Neela Noble – Keep in mind her distinctive efficiency in Charlie and the Chocolate Manufacturing unit and Matilda, The Musical?). On this 12 months’s Christmas manufacturing, Noble performs Louisa. I hope to see her in a extra distinguished position quickly on the Spreit Stage!

The Sound of Music Dominique Leblanc and the Young CompayPhoto Credit DownshiftingPRO — Dominique LeBlanc with the Woolen Mitten Forged – WWM – Photograph Credit score: DownshiftingPRO

There are two youth firm casts, and I’ve to say the Woolen Mitten Forged that carried out on opening evening deserves a notable point out: Kurt (Tade Calder), Gretl (Finley Campbell), Louisa (Raya Campbell), Marta (Lyla Sofa), Brigitta (Oforiwa Ofori), and Friedrich (Junior van Geffen) had been wonderful singers and dancers. Their efficiency of these songs and numbers all of us love added nostalgic moments. There have been undoubtedly a couple of of my favorite issues!

What it’s essential to know:

Dates: The Sound of Music runs between November 19 – December 29

The place: The Grand Theatre Spriet Stage, Grand Theatre, London, ON

Working Time: Two hours and 45 minutes with a 20-minute intermission.

Ticket Costs: Tickets begin at $24, however most tickets are within the $89-101 vary. Availability is fairly good.

I at all times search for methods to make the humanities accessible for any price range. I encourage individuals to look into the Canada Life-sponsored Pay What You Can (PWYC) performances. On the primary Sunday efficiency of any manufacturing on the Spriet Stage, the Grand Theatre reserves a minimal of 150 tickets.

Accessible in increments of $5, you may entry the primary 100 tickets on-line at 12:00 a.m. the day of the efficiency (I hate that they ask you to do that at midnight, however typically it takes a little bit bit of additional effort for individuals who need to save $$$)! You can even stand in line an hour earlier than the efficiency in particular person on the Grand Theatre to entry the final 50 tickets.

2024/25 Pay-What-You-Can Performances

As You Like It: Sunday, October 20, 2024 at 2:00 PM
The Sound of Music: Sunday, November 24 at 1:00 PM
Heist: Sunday, January 19, 2025 at 2:00 PM
The Secret to Good Tea: Sunday, February 23, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Waitress: Sunday, March 30, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Delight and Prejudice: Sunday, Might 4, 2024 at 2:00 PM

Added Insights – Bonus

The Sound of Music Janelle Cooper the Ensemble Photo Credit Dahlia Katz via Grand Theatre — Janelle Cooper & the Ensemble Photograph Credit score Dahlia Katz through Grand Theatre

I admire that the Grand Theatre in London Ontario makes a concerted effort to make every manufacturing attention-grabbing and informative. For instance there are quite a few alternatives for theatre lovers to satisfy the forged and inventive and Grand workers members. From post-performance casual guided discussions and Tea Talks within the Drewlo Lounge to group talks (London Black Neighborhood Night time – December 12 at 7:30 pm).

Relaxed Efficiency: Sunday, Dec 15, 2024 at 1:00 PM

Conclusion

This was a superb effort for Rachel Peake’s first manufacturing on the Grand Theatre. Taking over a basic like The Sound of Music isn’t any small activity. Music Director Alexandra Kane did an exquisite job. The songs had been fantastic, and the efficiency by the kids actors had been excellent. I like to recommend seeing the manufacturing and encourage you to comply with a few of these nice actors – I look ahead to seeing Ms. LeBlanc, Ms. Cooper, and Ms. Noble in future Grand Theatre productions.

The Sound of Music Photo Credit Dahlia Katz via Grand Theatre PIN 1

The Sound of Music Photo Credit Dahlia Katz via Grand Theatre PIN 2

Margarita Ibbott is a journey and way of life blogger. She blogs about journey in Canada, america and Europe giving sensible recommendation via restaurant, resort and attraction critiques. She writes for DownshiftingPRO.com and different on-line media shops.