These are a few of my favorite things…

Disclaimer: I absolutely adore Sound of Music and I love watching plays so I might be biased.

When I learned that there would be a Sound of Music production here, I was ecstatic. I really, really wanted to see it. But I got sick and I could not bring myself to ask J to buy tickets since we were spending so much on medical bills and between fixing the house and going to the doctors, I had no time. The production, however, which  was supposed to run until December was extended to Feb (now extended to May). Since I don’t go to the doctor as often, I now have time. More importantly, I knew J would not object if I ask him. Hehe!

We watched last night. It was in Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World. The good thing about this theater was its size – it’s so small that even if you buy the least expensive ticket, you’re still near enough the stage (unlike the Nicanor Abelardo in CCP where the balcony is really way up there!).

Since J had a presentation at 5pm, Jia and I (with Joya and the yayas) had to go to Resorts World by ourselves. We had dinner at Johnny Chow mainly because the maitre d’ told us that serving time is 10 to 15 mins. That was not true; our order was served 30 minutes after. By then Jia and I only 15 minutes to eat. Good thing their food was really yummy or I would have been annoyed.

J was running a bit late and he got there with literally two minutes to spare. Two of the three doors were already closed when we entered the theater.

We were seated in the  seventh row from the stage, in the right section (Deluxe Right). J commented that we got good seats (yey for me who went to the mall to buy the tickets and choose seats).

I loved the show! From the moment the curtains rose to the curtain call, I was mesmerized. The LED background was superb for me. Plus, well, pangarap ko talaga makapunta ng Vienna so I loved the mountain scenes.:)

Joanna Ampil as Maria rocked! I was super hoping that we catch a show with her in it and not her alternate Cris Villongco (no offense to Ms. Villongco). Joanna’s voice was simply divine. I felt privileged to have heard her sing live. She was a good actress. Her face lit up with loving surprise in the scene when she first heard the Captain sing. Her gaze at the Captain’s eyes during the dance revealed her love for him. Her smiling face belied the anxiety she was feeling during the concert scene. I can go on and on.

Captain Von Trapp was played by Audie Gemora whose voice was undeniably beautiful. I, however, was not so impressed with his acting. I may be wrong  though since I’m not really a theater person. But I was studying his face and I couldn’t see different emotions. I didn’t feel his conviction when he was singing “No Way To Stop It” or his gratefulness and love for his children when he learned that Maria taught them to sing.

Pinky Marquez as the Mother Abbess (Mother Superior) was really good. Her voice! Grabe! Ang galing!

The other cast members were also very good. Worthy of special mention are Marvin Ong as Rolf, Rebecca Coates as Louisa, and Tanya Manalang as Liesl.

One of my favorite parts was the Alleluia chorus of the nuns! Goosebumps I tell you!

Obviously, I really liked the show. Although if you’re expecting the same as the movie, you will be disappointed as this is the play. The movie is a little different in terms of sequencing and some songs. That was alright with me but because of the different sequencing, Jia was asking me questions during the show like “Mommy, why are they singing that [Do-Re-Mi] now? They should be outside when they sing it!” Hahaha!

Oh, one thing I did not like was the clothes (costume design they call it, I think)! Ill-fitting gowns and dresses, really! Frau Schraeder’s evening gown at the party scene was hideous. Ang cheap-cheap!

But what really, really made my heart swell was seeing Jia seated on her Daddy’s lap, intently watching the show, and singing along!! Ay, if only picture taking was allowed, I would have taken a picture of the two of them. I’m so happy that Jia enjoyed the show. She was even asking me questions about the dialogues and what was happening. She was engrossed! My little theater girl! Cultured na cultured! LOL!

We went home with Jia singing her favorite Do-Re-Mi and me humming “Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens…”