The Sound of Music
The Sound of Music
N.C. Theatre
@ Raleigh Memorial Auditorium
Through Aug. 2
The Sound of Music is enduring as a piece of musical theater because it promotes a certain feeling of exuberance. Yes, it’s sentimental, condenses history for storytelling purposes and even rewrites the geography of Austria in the climax (you aren’t getting to Switzerland over those Alps), but at its heart, it’s a simple story about finding joy and bonding as a family. Also, cute singing kids.
N.C. Theatre’s production of The Sound of Music is at its best when it focuses on the joy of performing. The story occasionally feels limited by the confines of the Memorial Auditorium stage (the von Trapps have roughly two tombstones to hide behind while they’re being hunted by the Nazis), but when the actors perform, their energy is terrific.
Broadway veteran Kate Fisher is a great Maria; the image of Julie Andrews in the 1965 film is impossible to erase, but Fisher nails the combination of childlike enthusiasm and matronly patience that defines the character. As Captain von Trapp, fellow Broadway vet Tom Galantich has less to do, though he acquits himself well in such numbers as “Edelweiss.” Fayetteville native Suzanne Ishee, as Mother Abbess, aces the first-act curtain number, “Climb Ev’ry Mountain.” The von Trapp children, all from Raleigh, perform admirably.
What’s most interesting about watching this staging of an extremely familiar tale is realizing that while many of the songs are indelibly imprinted in our brains, there actually aren’t that many distinct songs in the show. Most of the major numbers (“My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” etc.) are reprised throughout the musical. It’s interesting to see how the relatively complex book allows musical numbers to build out of dramatic scene-setting, as opposed to the relentless singing from start to finish that characterizes most contemporary musicals. That might be the most old-fashioned aspect of The Sound of Music, but N.C. Theatre’s production proves that this Rodgers and Hammerstein warhorse still has the power to move and entertain an audience.
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SDCC 09 EXCLUSIVE: Bob Schreck Speaks on Move to IDW
By Zack Smith
Later today at Comic-Con International: San Diego, longtime industry stalwart Bob Schreck will be officially announced as a new Senior Editor at IDW.
Previously known for his work as Senior Group Editor at Dark Horse and founding Oni Press along with a long career at DC Comics, Schreck has helped shepherd projects ranging from Sin City to All-Star Superman, and given breaks to such creators as Greg Rucka, Kevin Smith and many, many more.
In an exclusive interview, we got Schreck’s first words on joining IDW, and what he hopes to bring to the company.
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By Zack Smith
Early Possible DVD Cover, courtesy ShockFactory.com
Javier Grillo-Marxuach started The Middleman as a spec script for a TV series more than a decade ago. A few years ago, it became a comic series from Viper…which led to it finally becoming a TV series on ABC Family last year. And now, it’s a comic again, albeit a comic adapting the TV series. Confused yet?
You won’t be after reading Part One of our interview here!
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Here are a couple of live interviews I conducted at Heroes Con done up in podcast format. Hear the sound of my voice!
Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting!
http://thedollarbin.squarespace.com/shows/heroescon-09-ed-brubaker-and-steve-epting-in-conversation-pa.html
Guy Davis!
http://thedollarbin.squarespace.com/shows/heroescon-09-guy-davis-interview.html
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July 13, 2009
Alumni Achiever Profile: John Steensen
Alumnus Combines His Love of Poetry and Technology in New Book
Many engineers have seen the poetry in technology, but John Steensen (BSBC ’73) has put that poetry into words. As the author of the collection TechnoProse: 32 Poems Inspired by the Technology Around Us, Steensen examines how technology has become part of our lives in ways that range from humorous to thoughtful.
Read the full profile here!
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By Zack Smith
Peter Pan has been through dozens of iterations since J.M. Barrie first used him in The Little White Bird in 1902. Plenty of creators have done their own depiction of Pan in works ranging from sequels to cartoons to…whatever Hook was. But veteran comics writer Peter David has earned rave reviews with his own vision of Peter Pan in his all-ages prose novel Tigerheart, which was recently released in paperback.
Read the full interview here!
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You’ve probably seen Jack Hsu’s work without realizing it many times over the years. The prolific storyboard artist has worked a number of hit films, and pulled off the unique feat of winning the Xeric Grant twice, first for Poppie’s Adventures, and again for his graphic novel 8-9-3, which premieres from Automaton in August.
The action-packed, much-buzzed-about book takes readers deep into the world of the Yakuza (Japanese mafia), drawing from such influences as Crying Freeman and the films of John Woo. We sat down with Hsu for the 411 on 8-9-3.
Read the full interview here!
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