Written by orange• July 29, 2025• 6:33 pm• Musical, Renaissance Theatre Company, Theater, Uncategorized

The Sound of Music @ Renaissance Theatre Company – Review

(Photo by Scott Ostrander)

Written by Patrick Chavis

The Sound of Music is playing now at The Renaissance Theatre Company in Aliso Viejo, July 25 – August 3, 2025.

The classic musical, based on the real-life von Trapp Family, receives a spirited rendition from the Renaissance Theatre Company, but the kids are the stars in this one.

Story:

Maria (Megan Sigler) is a lovable nun who struggles to fit in with the rest of the older nuns in the Abbey. Look no further than the tune “Maria” – the one where they sing about “How to solve a problem, like Maria?” Well, they solve the problem by sending her out to watch the kids of Captain von Trapp (Ben Green)—a former navy captain who believes in strict discipline with his children over love and kindness.

Well, well, well, Maria won’t be having any of that. Maria’s kind and rebellious attitude may have been too much for the nuns, but it’s just the correct medicine for the von Trapp family. This story unfolds as the Nazi party rises to power and takes over Austria, preceding World War II.

The Sound of Music will be the last production from the Renaissance Theatre Company at the Aliso Niguel Theatre. If you are aware of any other suitable spaces or locations, please notify the RTC. This production utilizes a combination of video projections by Anthony Danielsen and built-in structures designed by Jeremy Golden, who also serves as the director of this show.

No flash, no bells and whistles, straight to the point, and tells an important story.

Acting/Sound:

As often happens, many scenes are rushed and not invested in, which can occur when one is not incredibly comfortable with the material. But nothing is ever given up on, and there’s something wonderful about that.

These actors, young and old, look fantastic, and some of that must be attributed to Anika Pereras, hair & makeup design.

While there are mic issues, like consummate professionals, they never stop singing. Particularly noteworthy was Stephanie Wright (Mother Abbess), who projected loud enough to be heard even without the microphone. Wright has serious pipes.

Whenever the nuns are on stage, it sounds heavenly. You can tell they worked hard on the harmonies for these scenes.

This show has two casts. I watched the Re Cast, but there’s also a Do cast. If you want to see the exact actors from the performance, look to the Re performances, which run on 7/25, 7/26(2 pm), 8/2 (7pm), and 8/3.

the Von Trapp kids which included Logan Pearson, Siggi Harrison, Mason Buccola, Anabelle Finch, Aria Healy, and little Gretl McKaylee Buccola in this production, are excellent as they march and sing their way into our hearts.

Song Highlights: “The Lonely Goatherd” with Maria & von Trapp Children and “So Long, Farewell.”