Climb ev’ry mountain along with Maria and co
THE hills will certainly be alive with the sound of music in Cape Town next month.
The well-loved musical, arguably the world’s most popular production ever created, opens on Sunday in Cape Town. And Capetonians of all ages, young and old, families, lovers, friends and simply fans, are urged to get off their winter couches and come to the theatre to enjoy the enduring magic of this all-time favourite.
With words and music by the legendary Rodgers and Hammerstein (Oklahoma!, Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I), and written by Howard Lindsay and Richard Crouse, this classic burst on to Broadway in 1959 with record-breaking advance ticket sales. At the time it won eight Tony Awards – including best musical. Two years later, in 1961, the show opened in London and became the longest-running American musical of its generation.
Most people are familiar with the 1965 iconic film, which starred Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. It scooped a whopping five Oscars, including best picture, and quickly became the highest-grossing film in history. Even today, The Sound of Music is the most successful movie musical in history.
Since the turn of the 21st century, The Sound of Music has stood testimony to time, leading to major productions around the world. It’s amazing to think that the legendary musical opened to rave reviews and sell-out business at the Wales Millennium Centre in July 2009, following a record-breaking 954 performances at the London Palladium, where more than two million people saw it and were enchanted by its universal story of love, loyalty and family values.
This lavish production, presented in South Africa by Pieter Toerien, David Ian and The Really Useful Group, tells the story of the Von Trapp family’s flight across the mountains from Austria, with its unforgettable sing-along, foot-tapping score that includes some of the most memorable songs ever performed on stage. They include My Favourite Things, Edelweiss, Do-Re-Mi, Sixteen Going on Seventeen, The Lonely Goatherd, Climb Ev’ry Mountain, and the title song The Sound of Music. The latest production which comes hot of the heals from full-houses at Montecasino in Johannesburg, featuring an all-star South African cast back from their international tour. Playing Captain von Trapp is Andre Schwartz and Maria is performed by the Carmen Pretorius, both star-studded performers who travelled with the show overseas.
Schwartz says young and old, families and couples – they have all flocked to Montecasino to see the show. “Bookings there were ridiculously good for a 1 900-seater auditorium. And people were on their feet after the show.” Schwartz has performed in, among others, Phantom of the Opera, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat, Jesus Christ Superstar and Pirates of Penzance.
And while he says he has enjoyed every performance of the diverse roles he has performed over the years, for him it’s always great to be part of The Sound of Music.
“This production and I have toured all over the world and today the Captain and I are much better friends. There’s always something special in performing in this endearing show which has multiple levels.
“And the reason I love performing in it is that, yes, it still finds traction in modern-day audiences. “
He says he’s looking forward to coming to the Mother City to perform in the more intimate space of the Artscape.
Playing opposite Pretorius has been a real pleasure, he says. “Carmen is gorgeous; she is a very giving performer and we have a great synergy. “
Pretorius, who cut her acting teeth at the age of 18, today at the age 28 has already notched up an impressive career, performing in Footloose at the Joburg Theatre and on TV, in Binnelanders, Isidingo and as a presenter in Pasella, among others. She’s as full of praise for Schwartz as he is for her, saying, “there’s a great dynamic on stage between us”.
She says performing in the musical has been “a real privilege”, and what she has appreciated has been the fact that she has been able to put her spin on the performance.
She says she cannot stress enough what an amazing feeling it is to play in a production as wellknown and timeless as The Sound of Music. “It’s an incredible feeling and also performing in a production that is so well-written. It makes it easy if you know the style and it’s so rewarding. It speaks for itself, but yes, you are the vehicle for its interpretation – that’s the exciting part of doing this.”
She adds: “And while it’s a glimpse into the past it’s still so relevant today.”
Both she and Schwartz urge Capetonians to come and see the show. “Please come, bring your families and see it,” they say.
“Amazing; a triumph; a mustsee; definitely one of my favourite things; a production that enchants yet another generation”; these are just a few of the rave reviews that have lauded the production. Don’t miss it! It’s on at the Artscape until May 27. Book at Computicket.