June 6, 2011—-South Pasadena High School’s drama department showcased its second musical of the year on May 19th, 20th, and 21st. The first production called “Daddy’s Dyin’, Who’s Got the Will?” was released during the fall at the Little Theatre with fewer cast members. Yet “The Sound of Music” featured the high school orchestra, the Arroyo Seco Ensemble, and nearly thirty actors. Over fifty students dedicated their efforts to making the spring play a musical hit. According to the South Pasadena Review, director Daniel Enright said, “I’ve had people from the community saying positive things. The talent on that stage is incredible.”
Junior Libby Rainy (Maria Rainer) and senior Jake Folsom (Captain George von Trapp) took the leading roles as two lovers who gradually find their attraction for one another through music. Rainy along with the von Trapp children Sophie Negrini (Liesl), Danny Kwak (Friedrich), Amanda Stewart (Louisa), David Yang (Kurt), Ruby Muller (Marta), Devna Desai (Gretl), and Sara Charney (Brigitta) presented a heartfelt performance as they harmonically sang to “Do Re Mi” and “My Favorite Things”.
The silly antics of the von Trapp children lightened the mood and led the audience to laugh along with their witty jokes. Apart from Maria and the children, other characters included Elsa Schraeder, played by Megan Roche, and Max Detweiler, acted by Nick Primuth, who were portrayed as the “villains” of the play. Elsa attempted to marry Captain George con Trapp for his money, with the help of Max Detweiler, but failed in doing so. The two actors’ appearance provided the climax with their malevolent roles.
The musical featured fifteen songs from the original movie, each sung beautifully with strong vocal skills despite the actors’ constant movements. Among the handful, the rendition of “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” was the most popular performance as actors Sophie Negrini and J.J. Astle took part in a lovely duet with a kiss scene at the end. Overall, SPHS’s “The Sound of Music” was a success as the talents of fellow actors and the dedication of students, teachers, and parents were able to be seen. With such raw talent and tremendous amount of support, South Pasadena High School’s drama department will surely be able to shine their strengths in another play next year.
