The Arts / Reviews

'Theater review: Music' brings Countryside alive

By David Burke | Tuesday, July 22, 2008 | () comments

Pat Burr as Capt. Von Trapp and Liz Millea as Maria perform in Countryside Community Theater's production of "The Sound of Music." (Contributed photo)

Whatever Tristan Tapscott is taking, I hope he has enough for the rest of us.

The early-20something and Sherrard, Ill., native is performing in both the mainstage and children’s theater shows at Circa ‘21 Dinner Playhouse, serving as the artistic director of one theater company and in the process of starting up another troupe.

And in his spare moments, he found time to direct a solid version of “The Sound of Music” for Countryside Community Theatre in Eldridge, Iowa.

How Tapscott did it isn’t quite certain — there’s no assistant director listed in the program — but he and a large cast succeed in a minimalistic take on the Rodgers and Hammerstein gem.

He wisely cast Liz Millea, who has no residue of Julie Andrews, in the role of Maria. With a toothy grin and an engaging presence, the Davenport native gives a fresh take on the role of nun-turned-governess-turned-stepmother and song leader. Her enthusiasm and energy are so strong, however, that when they wane, so do the show’s.

Millea plays opposite Countryside veteran Pat Burr as Capt. Von Trapp. I’d never noticed how quickly Von Trapp’s icy veneer melts around Maria until this production, but I’m not sure whether Burr is at fault for that. He carries much of the dramatic weight in the production.

Nicely playing the Von Trapp children are Cara Chumbley, Autumn Loose, Travis Melroy, Michael Hemlich, Chelsea Crumbleholme and Haley Wolf.

Other standout performances come from Susie Schaecter, villainous as Von Trapp’s fiancee; Greg Bouljon, bringing humor to a humorless role as Max; and Christina Marie Myatt as the Mother Superior.

The entire cast is commendable — even if only one of them even bothered to use an accent of any kind onstage.

Addie Campbell is the musical director, nicely breezing through the classic score with a rich, full orchestra.

Jennifer Kingry, another name that seems to be everywhere in the Quad-City area theater community, does an admirable job as lighting designer, including a striking swastika effect during the talent show finale.

Tapscott and Bouljon double up as technical directors, presumably designing the set. While traditionalists may scoff at the minimalism — columns represent the abbey, large windows for Von Trapp’s house — the lack of bulky sets made scene changes go very quickly, with the show clocking in almost exactly at 2 1/2 hours.

IF YOU GO

What: “The Sound of Music” by Countryside Community Theatre

When: 7:30 p.m. today through Saturday, June 28

Where: Auditorium, North Scott High School, Eldridge, Iowa

How much: $12 for adults, $10 for students, senior citizens and children

Information: (563) 285-6228 or CCTOnstage.com on the Web

David Burke can be contacted at (563) 383-2400 or dburke@qctimes.com. Comment on this story at qctimes.com.