Opening night a wild success
"Sound of Music" a "miracle" for community theater
JAN BROADWELL Contributing Writer
W hen you put together an entire cast that acts, sings, and looks like seasoned performers- and this is community theater- it's a miracle. And just that type of miracle occurred Thursday night at The Peacock Playhouse in Hayesville for opening night of "The Sound of Music" by the Licklog Players.

Mother Abbess Lois Ann Wentzel and nuns Rivkah Holder and Faye Hobbs share a moment to celebrate the opening night of "The Sound of Music" at the Peacock Playhouse in Hayesville, N.C. For more pictures see 6B.

All of this theater magic was the result of the talent and hard work of veteran director, Nancy Davis, and Musical Director, Paul Dyer. The caliber of the performance was breathtaking. I really don't know where to start my praise. The Nuns from the Abbey were beautifully coordinated into an awesome choral group. A standout was Lois Ann Wentzel as the Mother Abbess. Her rendition of "Climb Every Mountain" was a show stopper.

Desiree Lulay as Maria was too good to be true. Her voice is magnificent,her stage demeanor radiant and polished, and if that isn't enough, she is also beautiful.

Brian Barrentine is a very believable Captain Von Trapp. He has a finevoice and his stage presence was superb.

Now we get into the exceptionalVon Trapp children ranging in age from six to eighteen. How so many talented youngsters could be gathered together on one stage is phenomenal. Michelle Stewart as Liesl is lovely to listen to and look at, and shows a lot of talent. Then comes Alex Drost, Carly Payseur, Trevor Barber, Katherine Byxbee, Julia Lindsey, and Aspen Summer Fine who play the other Von Trapp children. Each is perfectly cast and does an incredible job of making this performance memorable. Their voices, their harmony, and their ability to work together as a loving family is spectacular. You'd think they really all were brothers and sisters. I have to mention six year old Aspen who portrayed Gretl. She is precious and precocious and certainly a favorite wit the audience, but come to think of it, all of the Von Trapp children were favorites of the audience.

One of the most difficultsituations for an actor in a play is to have children and animals in the cast. Able to overcome that roadblock were Matt Mc- Gee as the charming and charismatic Max, who became one of my favorites. Janice Minette was sophisticated and glamorous in her role as Elsa, Captain Von Trapp's fiancée, and you loved to root against her. Karl Snow, with his sensitivity and voice played Rolf, the 17 year old, "going on 18." Tom Payne in his understated delivery did a very fineportrayal as Franz, as did Betty Rowlands as Frau Schmidt.

Paul Dyer and his orchestra were on top of every part of this delightful musical and certainly added the finesse needed to accompany this star-filled cast.

Not to go unrecognized are the backstage crew, who did a yeoman's job with multi set changes. The sets themselves are beautifully crafted.

A vast array of costumes fitevery situation with style and inventiveness. Each costume for the Von Trapp children had to be duplicated seven times!

I'd suggest you call to get your tickets now. The sellout crowd on opening night was an indication of the popularity of this show without even taking into account the professionalism of this performance. This is truly a great production, one that should go on your "to do" list.

The play will run two more weekends- July 27-29 and August 3-5. The box officewill be open from 10-4 on weekdays. Evening performances begin at 8 with Sunday matinees at 2:30. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students. You can also phone for tickets: 1-877-691- 9906 or 828-389-8632. The Licklog Players would like to thank the United Community Bank of Hayesville for sponsoring this production.