It is once again time for the high school spring musicals and if Bald Eagle High School’s production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC is any indication, it will be a good time indeed. The sad part of it all is that we say good bye to some great seniors. We have watched some of these young people through junior and senior high and it is hard to see them move on.
Bald Eagle Drama Club has come a long way in the technology of their productions.The sets for THE SOUND OF MUSIC were exceptional. Not only were they appropriate, but the set changes were well executed. The elaborate living room with large staircase in the von Trapp home as well as the elegant Abby, complete with stained glass window, were beautiful. The stage and the auditorium space were creatively used.
The second thing that impressed me was the audience. It seems that the reputation of the Bald Eagle Drama Club has spread and people turn out. Not only was it a good size group with a mixture of ages, it was a a group caught up in the story of a young want-to be nun who falls in love with seven children and their father.
The secret to any high school play is the director’s ability to cast the show. Advisor Eric Brinser always hits it just right. (I do not believe that his talent pool is that large.) This production’s cast was exceptional.
The role of Maria is crucial and Meghan Shields certainly fit the part. I have been waiting for this young lady to get a chance to show us what she can do and she certainly did. The night that I was there Meghan got off to a shaky start, but it did not take long for her to find her “voice”. There was never a doubt in my mind that she had fallen in love with the von Trapp children. Plus, she can yodel! (“The Lonely Goatherd” was a favorite of mine.)
Karina Bloom made a very impressive Mother Abbess. Forget picturing the part played by a large, mature woman with a large voice. Karina showed us that a petite young lady with a large voice could blow away an audience. Her “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” was as good as I have heard it. Karina is a junior so we have her to look forward to next year.
Matthew Blaylock is another junior that we will be seeing again. To be honest, he has been such a big part of the drama club in the last several years, I thought that he was a senior. His Captain von Trapp was nicely formal and inflexible, until Maria entered his life. Their duet “Something Good” was sweet.
The role of Max Detweiler is a scene stealer so it was perfect for Colton Lucas. Colton is only a sophomore but already has ten productions under his belt. His line “You couldn’t hate me, I’m too loveable” seemed to sum up the character, and maybe the actor. Plus, he has a great stage voice.
Salvannah Elder, who play Liesl, oldest of the von Trapp daughters, is a sophomore to keep our eye on. Another sophomore, Austin Huyett, was Rolf, her romantic interest. Their “ Sixteen Going On Seventeen” not only showed off their talents but that of the choreographer as well.
Speaking of the choreography, Kate Snyder was the student choreographer as well as playing Elsa Schraeder, the woman that the Captain ALMOST marries. Kate is a senior that I will miss. She seems to take on any role that is assigned to her well.
Space is getting limited but the other six von Trapp children have to be mentioned. Michael Bailey, Chelsea Butterworth, Tim Durachko, Kailyn Gill, Daina Julian and Cami Haines were so good at keeping their individual personalities throughout the show. “Never act with kids or dogs” applies here. Daina and Cami showed exceptional stage presence for their ages and they could have gotten away with just being cute.
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