Go see “The Sound of Music"
No one should ever confuse me with a theater reviewer or some sort of expert in dramatic or musical performances. If you enjoy the songs in “The Sound of Music” and are considering seeing it this weekend at the Janesville Performing Arts Center, however, I have three words for you:
Don’t miss it.
My wife, Cheryl, and I saw the show on opening night Friday, and I thought it was wonderful. In fact, I think it was the most entertaining stage show of any sort that I’ve ever seen in Janesville.
Cheryl and I took in a handful of the shows at the Armory back when it staged dramas and musicals. We’ve been to shows at the Fireside in Fort Atkinson repeatedly, as well as to shows at Madison’s Overture Center and in Chicago. So we’ve seen local theater and professional performers.
Jim Tropp, directing another show for Bower City Theatre Company, has outdone himself with this cast. It helps that Adelina Feldman-Schultz, a 2006 graduate of Janesville Parker High School who now lives in Manhattan and is a professional actress, is playing the lead role of Maria Rainer.
I’m just honored to say I know her. Her dad, Frank Schultz, is The Gazette’s education reporter. Her mom, Edna Feldman-Schultz, teaches at Parker High School. Adi, we called her back then, would stop in at The Gazette to chat with her dad from time to time as she was growing up. I remember being impressed with her budding talents as a teenager in “Jesus Christ Superstar,” at JPAC years ago.
Her acting matches her singing talents in “The Sound of Music.”
Yet the rest of the cast is talented, too. For a local show, I was impressed that there's not a weak spot in the cast. From Jan Knutson reprising her role as Mother Abbess to the kids playing the von Trapp family’s children, they show this community and region are blessed with wonderful talent.
I was happy to greet Adelina after Friday’s show and tell her how marvelous it was.
This production of “The Sound of Music” is one of those shows you enjoy so much that you hate to see it end. It got a well-deserved standing ovation. Adelina’s parents have reason to be proud.
Everyone involved in this show has reason to be proud, as well.
Tickets are $23 for adults and $15 for students for the remaining shows, at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7-9. Call JPAC at 608-758-0297 or go to janesvillepac.org.
Greg Peck can be reached at (608) 755-8278 or gpeck@gazettextra.com. Or follow him on Twitter or Facebook
Dec 7, 2012 at 3:48 p.m.
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Thanks, ediebaran.
Dec 7, 2012 at 10:58 a.m.
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to spinmaster: Scott Angus is the overall editor; Greg Peck, who wrote the blog, is the Editor of the Editorial page.
Dec 7, 2012 at 10:44 a.m.
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I thought the Gazette editor was some guy named Angus?
I didn't see this as an endorsement. I saw it as a "here's something in town to do, go do it."
You can't see the forest for the trees.
Dec 7, 2012 at 10:22 a.m.
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To GAZETTE-FAN: There IS great, serious drama in Janesville: Since Oct 2011, Stage One has produced Rabbit Hole, Proof, How I Learned to Drive (all Pulitzer Prize winning dramas), and is in the process of producing Glass Menagerie, an American Classic by Tennessee Williams. We also threw in a great comedy - the highly acclaimed parody, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare abridged. Check out Stage One if you want an alternative to musicals.
Dec 7, 2012 at 10:16 a.m.
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No, not sour grapes, Mr. or Ms. spinmaster (at least I've identified myself); I think it's great that people have blogs, Sound Off and Letters to the Editor through which they can state their own rave reviews. I'm objecting to the Gazette's EDITOR writing what really constitutes a review, when the Gazette will not hire a good reviewer. If a newspaper editor starts endorsing one theatre company in Janesville, he really should endorse all.
Dec 6, 2012 at 10:07 a.m.
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How 'bout some reviews on the straight drama performed by the Janesville Little Theater?
Dec 5, 2012 at 1:51 p.m.
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It sounds to me like somebody has a bit of a sour grapes taste in their mouth (ediebaran).
Aren't the point of blogs to have an opinion on something to share with people? I guess my opinion would be that user doesn't have a clue!
Dec 5, 2012 at 12:16 p.m.
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I was there as well, and the buzz I heard around me was amazing! I heard several people saying it was the best version of Sound of Music they have ever seen. Others were commenting that the Nun's Chorus sent chills up and down them because they were so powerful and moving. You certainly won't regret going to see this incredible show.
Dec 5, 2012 at 7:15 a.m.
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Thanks, ThirdEye, I'll watch for it.
Dec 4, 2012 at 10:24 p.m.
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GF: Janesville Little Theatre is putting on Death of a Salesman in the spring.
I agree that Glengary Glen Ross would be a good one.
Dec 4, 2012 at 6:08 p.m.
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It's great that Janesville has several theater venues. And it's too bad theater didn't succeed at the Armory.
What puzzles me is the prevalence of musicals. Do the producers think that people in the area are incapable of appreciating straight drama and comedy? Does the audience feel short-changed if the actors don't burst into dance and song?
Straight drama and comedic plays are cheaper and easier to produce and might be a good idea for the Armory and the other venues. Give people a chance to see non musical theater. Show them what's superior to the crap that festers and passes for drama and comedy on TV.
Streetcar Named Desire or Glengary Glen Ross for starters.
Dec 4, 2012 at 4:35 p.m.
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I too was there on Friday. It was indeed a great performance of one of my favorite musicals. In addition to the great songs the underlying plot appeals to my Austrian side (My grandmothers family is from Austria).
And no, we're not all Germans now :)
I recommend any play that is directed by Jim Tropp. He brings out the best of the great local talent we have.
Dec 4, 2012 at 2:24 p.m.
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It's always great to see any endorsements of live theatre in Janesville; however, unless the Gazette reviews every show at JPAC, I don't think it's appropriate for an editor of the Gazette to write about any show. You need to endorse them all, or endorse none, or hire a qualified theatre reviewer.
Dec 4, 2012 at 1:39 p.m.
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This community has produced many talented young people who have gone on to do great things in their fields. I'm the proud parent of Adelina, but I'd like to tip my hat to those others whose professions don't allow for a return to their hometown for a public performance.
Dec 4, 2012 at 12:02 p.m.
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I remember when I was a youngster and my brothers and I would get to go to the Sprague Theater in downtown Elkhorn every week to see whatever movie was playing. One week it was "The Sound Of Music". To this day I am still haunted by, "The hills are alive, with the sound of music". Although I am glad you enjoyed the show and I am sure it was a great performance, I think I would have to pass.
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