Culture

The Palm is alive with The Rep/Coral Society’s “Sound of Music,” through March 29

Allergies? Dust? Something in the air at Telluride's  Palm Theatre was making me tear up while watching Tuesday's dress rehearsal of the Telluride Repertory Theatre/Telluride Choral Society's cosy and warm production of the terminal blockbuster, "The Sound of Music." Surrender. Cry uncle. Guaranteed you, like Clint and I, will succumb to the charm of this Rogers and Hammerstein classic.

True the book is sugar-coated, enough to cause a toothache, but nowadays the blowsy optimism seems to work to the play's advantage: how nice to be able to take a time out from the long shadows cast by today's headlines to bask in the musical's sunshine and light. True the music itself is unapologetically melodic, but that melody creates a structure as solid and reassuring as the convent walls that try – but fail – to contain the moonbeam known as Maria, the novitiate.

Directed by the feisty, focused, uber  talented L.A. import, Cate Caplin – a newbie to town  but with over 100 productions to her credit as director/choreographer and an international dance champion – The Rep's adaptation of the Broadway show is marvel of restraint. She and partner in crime Dr. David Lingle, the equally but quietly gifted artistic director of the Choral Society, clearly made a decision to focus on the business end of the musical: they tell their story of courage and the power of love  – and song – to triumph over evil with few frills. In lock step with the two directors, the producer, Lutz Florczak and crew of about 20 deliver the goods: the sets, costumes/make-up, lighting, sound, are wonderful, but never upstage the actors, the heart of the matter.

Sasha Cucciniello presents reading of “Lysistrata” March 26

[Listen to director Sasha Cuciniello of Telluride's SquidShow Theatre, talk about her next theatrical event, a reading of "Lyistrata," by clicking the "play" button on her podcast] About 2,400 years ago,  in 411 BC,  when an unknown altogether forgotten...

Telluride’s young von Trapps speak out

Over forty years after the film captured the hearts of millions, the legacy of "The Sound of Music," The Telluride Repertory Theatre's latest production,  lives on in the great grandchildren of Captain and Maria von Trapp – Justin, Amanda, Melanie and Sofia –  who...

Telluride’s Palm theater presents Shakespeare’s Henry V, March 19

[click "Play" button to hear Susan's interview with actress Carie Kawa]

"Once more unto the breach, dear friends..."

On Thursday, March 19, Telluride's Palm Theatre proudly presents The Acting Company's and Minneapolis' Guthrie Theater's edgy co-production of Shakespeare's "Henry V."

In "Henry V," King Henry of England is no longer the petulant youth who frolicked boisterously with friends in "Henry IV. " Prince Hal has put down his toys and picked up the sword – although he is still young
restless, haughty and ambitious. When he inherits a troubled crown, the born-again Henry seeks to secure his position at home by diverting his country's attention abroad. His target is France, where he launches a hasty invasion to claim his right to a kingdom and the daughter of the King who insulted him with a gift of tennis balls and enforced leek eating.