"The Sound of Music" 

At The Colonial Theatre Through November 7 

The Sweetest Sounds 

The pre-show scrim says it all -- a snow globe scene of Austria. And once “The Sound of Music” starts, that’s just what you get -- a lovely, shimmering look at a now famous story. 

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The Sound of Music” was the team’s last venture together. After hits like “The King & I,” “South Pacific” and “Carousel,” the R&H era ground to a halt with the illness of Hammerstein. 

And with the film version such an icon of American entertainment, it might be hard to surpass that image of Julie Andrews tripping across the mountains, singing. However, once you adapt to the pace and scale of the stage show (after all, there’s no way to compete with those sweeping panoramas of the film), the evening settles into warm entertainment. And if it doesn’t provide any theatrical fireworks, it more than makes up for it with charm. 

THE STORY 

In a nutshell (for those few souls who don’t already know), the plot is inspired by the true story of the Von Trapp Family Singers and Maria, a postulant studying to become a nun. Torn between life in the Nonnberg Abbey and life on the outside, she is sent to work as a governess for the Von Trapps. The seven children are motherless, and the father is a disciplinarian who refers to their clothes are uniforms and calls them by means of a Boatswain’s whistle. 

Due to a lack of attention from their father, the children rebel by frightening away nannys. Into this scene comes Maria. 

She wins over the children and brings music back to the palatial home where there has been none since the death of the mother. This softens Captain Von Trapp, and he and Maria eventually fall in love and marry. 

Returning from his honeymoon, he finds the Nazis overtaking Austria. They attempt to force a commission in their Navy upon him. However, the family escapes via a singing appearance at a folk festival and live happily ever after once they trek across the mountains to the safety of Switzerland. 

This is an interesting show in the way that it bills its stars. Mary Martin created the role on Broadway 40 years ago. Julie Andrews made the role her own later in the film version. And when the show was revived in New York two years ago, Rebecca Luker was the draw. 

THE STARS 

While the film leaned more heavily on Maria, the stage version gives almost equal time to Maria and the Captain. Meg Tolin stars as Maria and Richard Chamberlain is Captain Von Trapp. And as Chamberlain has a far more noteworthy name than Tolin, it is his presence that you’ll see above the title and in all advertising. 

Is this just a marketing ploy to get you in? Not at all as Chamberlain impressively fills the role with confidence, strength and amazing control. He is totally in command. 

Meg Tolin, a ringer for Meg Ryan, plays Maria admirably, if a little too gosh-golly. She has a sweet singing voice but could shade her performance a bit musically. She’s singing a score that’s become a classic in American musical theater, but too much of her performance is the same. 

Chamberlain, on the other hand, shows why he’s had a career that’s run from some of the most powerful mini-series in television history to classic stage productions of “Hamlet” and “Richard II.” He is stone cold when necessary, and yet melts when faced with losing his homeland. 

He works wonderfully with the children, and for those who don’t know the full range of his skills, his singing will be a pleasant surprise. (Local theater-goers will remember that he starred in a revival of “My Fair Lady” that swung through town a few seasons ago -- with Tolin as his co-star.) 

THE SUPPORTING CAST 

The supporting company is grand as well. Rachel de Benedet turns in a diva-like performance as Elsa Schraeder, who appears to have the Captain sewn up as her husband to be. And Drew Eshelman is great as Max Detweiler, the entrepreneur who longs to make musical stars out of the children, although “it wouldn’t be bad for me either.” 

And then there’s the children -- each and every one a pro. Each is unique and each turns in a fine performance. They are: Megan McGinnis as Liesl, Greg Sullo as Friedrich, Diana Rice as Louisa, Alex Bowen as Kurt, Carissa Farina as Brigitta, Andrea Bowen as Marta and little Ashlee Keating as Gretl. Although she’s only as big as a peanut, Ashlee will capture your heart in “Do Re Mi” and has a two second bit of business that upstages the entire number. 

THE HILLS ARE ALIVE 

This is a show that’s clearly about the music, and with Rodgers and Hammerstein, there’s not much to question. From the title song to “My Favorite Things,” just about every number is a standard. Additionally, two songs from the film (“I Have Confidence” and “Something Good”) have been added to the revival, which is presented by Hallmark. 

The true goose-bump moment of the show is provided not by the leading players, but by Jeanne Lehman as Mother Abbess. She closes Act One with a glorious version of “Climb Every Mountain.” 

(An additional treat on opening night was seeing several members of the actual Von Trapp Family in the audience -- including Liesl.) 

“The Sound of Music” is at The Colonial Theatre, 106 Boylston Street in Boston, through November 7. For information, call 617-9312787. 

Also...A collection of paintings by Richard Chamberlain is on exhibit at the Creative Allies Gallery, 228 Newbury Street, through November 7. 

R. J. Donovan