Curiosity drew me to watch the live TV adaption of the play,
Sound of Music last night. I enjoyed it because I went in with an open mind and
not expectation of perfection. The performers took on a big challenge. Unlike
movies, or even most television shows, there would be no retakes.
Unlike live ‘in the theatre’ plays there was no audience to
add energy or sound bites, like laughter, sighs, and applause and because of
these limitations, jokes fell flat, songs were not lifted high with clapping.
The receiver of the joke could not laugh, as he was to remain serious, and no
audience could add the much needed, ‘we get it chuckle’ in the awkward pause.
This lack of energy showed in the dialogue scenes the most. The singing voices
soared above this obstacle.
Despite the limitations, this playing to an empty studio
could not overcome, I found myself cheering on the efforts, and I’ve been
surprised at the animosity flung at this troupe for daring to try something
new. Since when did Americans become such negative people? This production gave
me the chance to form a new appreciation of musical theatre in the comfort of
my own home.
In the past, with many musicals, I found myself thinking, “it
seems awkward for that character to be bursting into song at such a serious
moment”. Even, the movie, Sound of Music, made me feel that way. It may be just
me, but it’s something that disrupted the flow in the story more often than I
cared for. After this show, I realized I had welcomed each song. They all felt
needed and important.
My favorite thing about the whole evening is how in this
live TV production, the dialogue cradled the songs, allowed the songs to be the
shining moments, the stars of the play. Perhaps, that is what Rogers and
Hammerstein meant when they wrote it. It is titled, The Sound of Music.
