Hello everyone! I thought I would use Emily’s comment as a jumping off place for my blog, since I am getting these same questions by many of you…
*Emily* December 3, 2008 10:34 AM Wow! That's a lot of kids for you, Kel! So, how was the cast? Was the show just like the original or did it feel more contemporary? Mr. Von Trapp looks quite a bit older than you. Was it weird to kiss him? What was your favorite part of the musical? I wish I could have been there.I can't wait to see more pics! Miss you!
Yes, it was a lot of kids!! I thought the first few weeks of rehearsals that I was going to pull my hair out! It was never calm or quiet—LOUD, bouncing, Louder—that’s more like it! However, by the end of the show I loved the noise because it was really just enthusiasm and joy! They felt like my kids in so many ways. I spent everyday with them. I was the one to ask them about their school day, hear about their latest crushes and make sure they were staying healthy. I found the idea of seven children manageable, well if by manageable you mean each child had a nanny (in my case a real parent) to take care of them at the end of the night, get their homework completed, put them to bed and deal with the exhaustion the next morning! Ha! Well, really, they were great kids and we are so close now, my family too in there own way.
Mr. Von Trapp is a bit older than me but no, it really wasn’t weird kissing him. After all, Craig wasn’t kissing Kelly…The Captain was kissing Maria. There is a definite difference. He is a great guy and we have worked together in the past which definitely added to our stage chemistry this time around. His eldest son was also in the production, as Rolf, and that was neat.
My favorite part??? Well there were three…
First, opening each night—the curtain would raise and I was alone on the stage (on the mountain) and “The hills were alive,” with my voice. I felt like that moment might steal my breath away each night; it often left tears in my eyes. You will read in the review below a comparison to Julie Andrew’s light hearted version. I chose a slightly different interpretation that was very well received. It followed more along the lines of Connie Fisher’s rendition in the London stage production.
The second favorite—in the last few minutes of intermission each night the Captain, Max, the kids and I would all meet on stage behind the curtain to dance and play around getting ourselves ready for Act II. We had a cheer we would always do and the kids were great fun to watch joke around.
Finally, the wedding scene—it was really something! I could hear people literally gasp when I came out for the procession each night.
The show is really so moving. Their story is truly beautiful and to immerse myself in it each night was very moving. It really was a dream role. I had no idea until I really began embracing Maria and feeling the other characters’ personalities and individual stories.
I will share with you that I became very ill the week of the show—figures, right!? Exhaustion had just simply run my body down. For anyone who knows me well, you are well aware how much I desperately avoid doctors at all costs! So, to prove just how much this show meant to me, I tell you this, I went to the Doctor the afternoon after we opened and they loaded me up with meds, while I prayed vehemently for a fast recovery—very fast—we were sold out+ (had added folding chairs for the next two performances), meaning about 1000 tickets sold for each show. I had no understudy---OH BOY! Obviously, things worked out but I will tell you I held my breath as the curtain went up Saturday, praying I would have voice!
I had my first professional review and to my alarm, he came to opening night—pre meds! Despite my fears, the review was very positive—here are a few snips…
--------------------------------------------
A Wonderful ''SOUND OF MUSIC'' From Woodlands Rep
By DAVID DOW BENTLEY III
“The People’s Critic”
It was Opening Night of the latest offering from The Woodlands Repertory Theatre, and what could be more familiar than the perennial favorite, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein’s, “The Sound of Music?” Of course there is danger there. How will it compare to the well-known film version? Will the role of Maria be overshadowed by memories of Julie Andrews? Relax dear readers! Woodlands Rep has made the show very much its own!
… Next we meet our sparkling Maria, joyfully played by Kelly Smith. While her warm and gentle opening vocal of “The Sound of Music” did not seem quite as free-spirited as the Julie Andrews we recall whirling on the mountain, it would be but a short time until the appealing Miss Smith would win over the audience with many charms and talents of her own.
… The fun continues when Maria and Mother Abbess sing the delightful, “My Favorite Things,” but soon the troublesome young Maria is asked to leave the abbey for a time to serve as governess to the seven children of naval Captain von Trapp (Craig Boudreaux). She takes on the task bravely in song with the cheerful, “I Have Confidence.”
…Seven must be a lucky number because these eager, talented and engaging young performers [the Von Trapp children] are just perfect together, and their affectionate interaction with Maria in numbers like “Do, Re, Mi,” “The Lonely Goatherd,” and the reprise of “My Favorite Things,” just adds to the escalating magic.
So there you have it—an experience I will never forget! A role I will always hold in my heart and memories to last a lifetime. A professional photographer took pictures and is currently out of the country on assignment—as soon as I get the photos, I will send them out!
Thanks for the love and support. Whether you were able to make a show or if like dear Emily, live out of town—your warm wishes mean so much!
All my love,
Kelly
*Emily* December 3, 2008 10:34 AM Wow! That's a lot of kids for you, Kel! So, how was the cast? Was the show just like the original or did it feel more contemporary? Mr. Von Trapp looks quite a bit older than you. Was it weird to kiss him? What was your favorite part of the musical? I wish I could have been there.I can't wait to see more pics! Miss you!
Yes, it was a lot of kids!! I thought the first few weeks of rehearsals that I was going to pull my hair out! It was never calm or quiet—LOUD, bouncing, Louder—that’s more like it! However, by the end of the show I loved the noise because it was really just enthusiasm and joy! They felt like my kids in so many ways. I spent everyday with them. I was the one to ask them about their school day, hear about their latest crushes and make sure they were staying healthy. I found the idea of seven children manageable, well if by manageable you mean each child had a nanny (in my case a real parent) to take care of them at the end of the night, get their homework completed, put them to bed and deal with the exhaustion the next morning! Ha! Well, really, they were great kids and we are so close now, my family too in there own way.
Mr. Von Trapp is a bit older than me but no, it really wasn’t weird kissing him. After all, Craig wasn’t kissing Kelly…The Captain was kissing Maria. There is a definite difference. He is a great guy and we have worked together in the past which definitely added to our stage chemistry this time around. His eldest son was also in the production, as Rolf, and that was neat.
My favorite part??? Well there were three…
First, opening each night—the curtain would raise and I was alone on the stage (on the mountain) and “The hills were alive,” with my voice. I felt like that moment might steal my breath away each night; it often left tears in my eyes. You will read in the review below a comparison to Julie Andrew’s light hearted version. I chose a slightly different interpretation that was very well received. It followed more along the lines of Connie Fisher’s rendition in the London stage production.
The second favorite—in the last few minutes of intermission each night the Captain, Max, the kids and I would all meet on stage behind the curtain to dance and play around getting ourselves ready for Act II. We had a cheer we would always do and the kids were great fun to watch joke around.
Finally, the wedding scene—it was really something! I could hear people literally gasp when I came out for the procession each night.
The show is really so moving. Their story is truly beautiful and to immerse myself in it each night was very moving. It really was a dream role. I had no idea until I really began embracing Maria and feeling the other characters’ personalities and individual stories.
I will share with you that I became very ill the week of the show—figures, right!? Exhaustion had just simply run my body down. For anyone who knows me well, you are well aware how much I desperately avoid doctors at all costs! So, to prove just how much this show meant to me, I tell you this, I went to the Doctor the afternoon after we opened and they loaded me up with meds, while I prayed vehemently for a fast recovery—very fast—we were sold out+ (had added folding chairs for the next two performances), meaning about 1000 tickets sold for each show. I had no understudy---OH BOY! Obviously, things worked out but I will tell you I held my breath as the curtain went up Saturday, praying I would have voice!
I had my first professional review and to my alarm, he came to opening night—pre meds! Despite my fears, the review was very positive—here are a few snips…
--------------------------------------------
A Wonderful ''SOUND OF MUSIC'' From Woodlands Rep
By DAVID DOW BENTLEY III
“The People’s Critic”
It was Opening Night of the latest offering from The Woodlands Repertory Theatre, and what could be more familiar than the perennial favorite, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein’s, “The Sound of Music?” Of course there is danger there. How will it compare to the well-known film version? Will the role of Maria be overshadowed by memories of Julie Andrews? Relax dear readers! Woodlands Rep has made the show very much its own!
… Next we meet our sparkling Maria, joyfully played by Kelly Smith. While her warm and gentle opening vocal of “The Sound of Music” did not seem quite as free-spirited as the Julie Andrews we recall whirling on the mountain, it would be but a short time until the appealing Miss Smith would win over the audience with many charms and talents of her own.
… The fun continues when Maria and Mother Abbess sing the delightful, “My Favorite Things,” but soon the troublesome young Maria is asked to leave the abbey for a time to serve as governess to the seven children of naval Captain von Trapp (Craig Boudreaux). She takes on the task bravely in song with the cheerful, “I Have Confidence.”
…Seven must be a lucky number because these eager, talented and engaging young performers [the Von Trapp children] are just perfect together, and their affectionate interaction with Maria in numbers like “Do, Re, Mi,” “The Lonely Goatherd,” and the reprise of “My Favorite Things,” just adds to the escalating magic.
So there you have it—an experience I will never forget! A role I will always hold in my heart and memories to last a lifetime. A professional photographer took pictures and is currently out of the country on assignment—as soon as I get the photos, I will send them out!
Thanks for the love and support. Whether you were able to make a show or if like dear Emily, live out of town—your warm wishes mean so much!
All my love,
Kelly
