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London’s Grand Theatre is alive with the sound of a beloved musical production kicking off the holiday season.
The Sound of Music will run until Dec. 29 at the Grand Theatre.
The musical centres on Maria, who is trying to decide if she should become a nun when she takes a job as governess to the seven children of widower Captain Georg von Trapp during political unrest ahead of the Second World War.
The 1959 musical inspired the 1965 Academy award-winning movie starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer.
The London production is artistic director Rachel Peake’s directorial debut at the Grand.
“The Grand Theatre at Christmas is a big part of many people’s holiday traditions. So, being a part of that through my work on stage is a big honour, and it feels really exciting,” Peake said.
The actors’ performance, with orchestra, brings the production to life for audiences deeply connected to the movie version, she said.
Alexandra Kane, the Grand’s music director for more than three years, is conducting The Sound of Music score for the first time.
“It’s such a huge undertaking, but a huge honour. And it’s great because I feel like I’ve been rehearsing the show since I was four,” Kane said.
The theatre also is celebrating another milestone: The first time the creative team has a female majority.
“It’s been really lovely, and it feels very collaborative. Very rarely has a music director asked me what tempo I like the music to do the dancing,” said Ainsley Hillyard, the Grand’s choreographer. “Anytime you put women or gender fluid, non-binary folks in leadership positions, there’s a different lens and thoughtfulness.”
For Dominique LeBlanc, who plays Maria, that milestone is important for the theatre industry because it “doesn’t happen a lot.” She looks forward to stepping into a role with which she’s been familiar since she was eight.
“Everyone loves a love story, but I love Maria’s journey. It’s so important, so wonderful to see a young woman like Maria go through this journey of finding herself and following her gut and her heart and not apologizing for being herself,” she said.
As for why The Sound of Music has been a holiday classic, LeBlanc said it’s because many people have found “comfort” in the film, “and now, hopefully, the musical, that they can come watch during the holidays,” she said.
“They can expect lots of joy, heartwarming stories, lots of laughs and the very cute (von Trapp) kids. I love these kids.”
What: The Sound of Music
Where: Grand Theatre, 471 Richmond St.
When: Runs until Dec. 29
Tickets: $24 to $101; pay-what-you-can performance Nov. 24 at 1 p.m.; open caption performance Nov. 30 at 1 p.m.; relaxed performance Dec. 15 at 1 p.m.
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