Maria Arrigotti happily is back with the Western Nevada Musical Theater Company in the Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The Sound of Music.”
She starred in many productions with the company and her professionalism is evident on the stage as she leads the troupe of seven von Trapp children through the musical. The shows continues tonight and next week.
Arrigotti is the key to the show, of course, and she performs beautifully, exuding an air of innocence as a postulant that she carries through the performance. Rarely does such a performer combine youth with wisdom and love despite the age differences.
She’s the star and she shines most brightly.
This is not to ignore the rest of the fine cast, from Captain von Trapp (August Stoten) to Liesl (Danita Bayer) or the seven von Trapp children. I saw the May 7 performance with Michel Kaskie, Emmy Heller, Ryan Vettel, Haley Davis, Juliet Favero and Makayla Schmidt. They repeat May 8 at 7:30 and May 9 and 15 at 2 p.m. The alternate seven are Grant Davis, Riley Quinn Chapman, Olivia Swearingen, Cade Ball, Katie Berger and Nadia Hill. They appear May 14 and 15 at 7:30 and May 16 at 2 p.m. No matter which cast you see you can count on being taken over by their youthful exuberance. Real scene stealers, they.
Then there’s Carla Wilson as the Mother Abbess. She has a fine voice and a commanding presence on the stage. Jim DeZerga is nicely light as the fixer Max Detweiler, and Mitzi Nelson is lovely as von Trapp’s intended., Baroness Schraeder. Marti Creveling is effective as the von Tapp housekeeper.
And there’s the 18 nuns, singing to their God and the world beautifully.
Stephanie Arrigotti is the producer and director and as always she keeps the action moving and the scenes alive not only with music but with grace. Much of that grace comes from Gina Kaskie-Davis, who again as usual handled the choreography.
This is the kind of production that sets Carson City off from other such towns. The depth of talent and the excellent voices here are rare in a community theater of a city this size.
Costumes by Denise McMasters are nicely done and Kevin Murphy conducts the 14-piece orchestra with skill and sensitivity.
But see for yourself. Shows are May 8, 14 and 15 th 7:30 p.m., and May 9, 15 and 16 at 2 p.m., all at the Carson Community Center. Tickets are $20 general, $18 for students and seniors an $16 for those under 12. Call (775) 445-4249.
