‘The Sound of Music’ Gets Delightfully Close to Viewers

The novice kneeled, bowed her head and raised her voice in evening prayer, seemingly too absorbed to notice the toddler tugging at her habit. Latin chant mixed with the rustle of party dresses, the whispers of proud parents, and the hushed talk of the stage crew.

Community theater: Where the dramatic and the domestic shake hands.

With its current staging of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The Sound of Music” (through March 11), the La Habra Depot Playhouse is really bringing the theatrical experience into the audience’s lap: Director Marie Schaffer sends singing nuns, leapfrogging children, even a wedding processional down the center aisle, delighting children and oldsters alike.

With two alternating casts, “The Sound of Music” features nearly 70 youths from North Orange County, ranging in age from 5 to 19. Many have prior acting experience; others are making their stage debut. But whether they’re seasoned pros or nervous newcomers, to Schaffer, they’re all stars.

“There are so many kids out there who have real problems,” said Schaffer, the principal and drama coach of Diamond Bar’s Friends Christian School. “Stage experience can change their whole lives. They can develop poise and confidence. It’s fantastic to see the growth these kids experience through this.”

The La Habra Depot Playhouse, housed in a turn-of-the-century railroad station, presents a seven-play community theater season each year, including two children’s theater productions. Led by a volunteer board of directors, the nonprofit group is in its eighth season at the facility.

As with most low-budget children’s shows, this staging of “The Sound of Music” relied on the elbow grease of dedicated moms, dads and siblings who spent long hours building sets and costumes, selling tickets and, now, manning the snack bars. It’s a 10-week commitment in all: six weeks of rehearsals, four weeks of performances.

“Everybody just pulls together for the benefit of the show,” Schaffer said. “It’s really a family affair.”

At last Friday’s opening night performance, it was exactly that. Appearing in the “red cast” were four members of the Nellesen family: 19-year-old Carrie was a tender, dewy-eyed Liesl Von Trapp; 18-year-old Tom played Capt. George Von Trapp with authority; 12-year-old Bob was a plucky Freidrich Von Trapp, and Laurie, a blond, blue-eyed 5-year-old, melted a few hearts as a tiny goat puppet.

Production values may be spotty (Bob Schaffer’s complicated set design deserves kudos, but the taped musical accompaniment was often tinny and over amplified), there’s no faulting the young cast’s sincerity.

Thirteen-year-old Rhonda Halderman shone as Maria, the irrepressible novice-turned-nanny. Honey-voiced, with a surprising amount of stage presence, she did a fine job on the rousing “Do Re Me” and “The Lonely Goat Herd.” Matt Stroul and Emme Hall were pleasantly cocky as Max Detweiler and Elsa Schraeder, and Cristina Infante lent dignity and warmth to the Mother Abbess.

“The Sound of Music” continues through March 11 at the La Habra Depot Playhouse, 311 S. Euclid St., La Habra. Performances are Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2:30 and 7:30, and Sundays at 2:30. Tickets: $6 for adults, $4.50 for students and senior citizens. Information and reservations: (213) 905-9708 Mondays through Fridays from 8 to 5.