CHILDREN’S THEATER : In Anaheim, a Youthful ‘Sound’ is Music to the Ears

Who can resist a dozen serious-faced miniature nuns?

In Anaheim, “The Sound of Music” -- on stage through Sunday, Aug. 12 -- features two casts of youngsters between the ages of 5 and 18 in an irresistible production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. It’s so good, in fact, that you won’t mind sitting on hard folding chairs in a stuffy auditorium to take it all in.

Director Dan Halkyard has created a show with spontaneity and an admirable absence of chaos, especially considering that there are two large casts (80 children in all). Halkyard makes smooth use of the small stage, relying on the red velvet curtain and the talents of his young players to evoke the sweep and romance of this epic tale of the singing Von Trapp family who escaped the Third Reich on foot over the Alps.

In the cast that I saw recently, his players were up to challenge. Jennifer Schlotterbeck, a high school freshman, is the right age to play that flibbertigibbet postulate, Maria. Her singing is lovely and confident; her acting, warm and earnest. She is a winning leading lady. In Patrick Johnson, as Capt. Von Trapp, she has a strong and handsome leading man.

Scott Staudt as the luxury-loving Max Detweiler and Laurie O’Remus as the disapproving Sister Berthe both capture moments of real humor. Jannene Lowry does very well as the ever-wise Mother Abbess, bringing a gorgeous pitch and plenty of power to “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” the big, daunting anthem.

In fact, all the young people playing adults, realize their roles admirably. They’re a bit stiff as grown-ups, but that being grown-up is a tough act at any age.

The kids who play kids do well too. All playing the seven Von Trapp children are charming. And the marionettes who show up in “The Lonely Goatherd” add a hilarious touch of real improvisation--you know something’s going happen any time you put 19 children and 40 strings together in a small space.

What: ‘The Sound of Music.’

When: Thursday, Aug. 9 through Sunday, Aug. 12 at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Anaheim Cultural Arts Center, 931 N. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim.

Whereabouts: Take the Santa Ana Freeway to Harbor Boulevard, go north.

Wherewithal: $8 for adults, $6 seniors and students.

Where to Call: (714) 491-7144.