Matunuck is alive with “The Sound of Music”

Theatre By The Sea producer Bill Hanney called Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein’s “The Sound of Music” the most popular musical in the world.

He is probably right.

The title song gets in your head and never leaves.

Songs like “Maria,” “Do-Re-Mi” and “My Favorite Things” have become classics.

“Climb Ev’ry Mountain” and “Edelweiss” will bring a lump to your throat. The story of a young postulant winning the heart of a stuffy, older, widowed army captain will pull at your heartstrings.

As will her winning the hearts of his seven children.

When the second act turns serious and we fear for the von Trapp family as they seek a way to escape the Nazis, we find ourselves caring deeply for their survival.

All of this requires a strong cast of singer/actors, and Hanney has once again found them, along with director and choreographer Michael D. Jablonski.

While the stage musical can never compare with the movie, it comes in a close second. The sparse painted scenery just can’t match the beauty of the Alps and the von Trapp mansion.

Kim Sava makes a perfect Maria with her beautiful smile and equally beautiful voice; she wins over everyone on stage and in the audience.

The kids are a delight, including Providence third-grader Elena Rose Taveras as the youngest. There are at least two young actors for each role.

“The Sound of Music” has been around for a long time and will certainly be around for as long as musicals are performed.

If you haven’t seen it, where have you been all these years?

Take a trip down to Theatre By The Sea and enjoy the wonderful sounds.

“The Sound of Music” plays through Aug. 17. Buy tickets at www.theatrebythesea.com/soundofmusic, or call 782-8587 for more information.