How do you solve a problem like Maria?
How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?
Maria, The Sound of Music
-Rodgers and Hammerstein
Life is complicated. Dating is complicated.
When do you text someone? Do you double text? Will you end up friend-zoned or in a situationship?
Falling in love is even more complicated – unless you are in a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. If you’re in a romantic musical comedy by Rodgers and Hammerstein, then love flows freely on the stage and everyone is able to express their emotions clearly, in song, with pitch perfect voices.
For a couple of hours, you can turn off your phone and step back into a world where happiness, joy, and love take over the stage.
Some of the lyrics will never be written again, or maybe should never be written again.
There was a little present-day social awareness when in one Rodgers and Hammerstein song, Honey Bun, from South Pacific, they sing,
My doll is as dainty as a sparrow,
Her figure is something to applaud.
Where she’s narrow, she’s narrow as an arrow,
And she’s broad where a broad should be broad!
-“Honey Bun” from South Pacific
Would I have preferred to see the men in the cast, à la South Pacific, sing this song while in grass skirts and coconut bras? Yes. (c’mon it’s Pride month!)
Maybe I need to vote for South Pacific for Mac-Haydn next year.
For Gen Xers and younger, you will hear the entire song, “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair” and not just the shampoo commercial clip!
There are some lesser-known songs such as Kansas City from Oklahoma!
Ev’rythin’s up to date in Kansas City.
They’ve gone about as fur as they c’n go!
They went and built a skyscraper seven stories high—
About as high as a buildin’ orta grow.
-“Kansas City” from Oklahoma!
Without the context of the story, it does sound a little sarcastic.
Does it matter? No
There was one woman in the front row who seemed to know all the lyrics, and was silently singing along with each number. She seemed so happy.
That’s what it’s about.
For two hours, you’re transported to a long-lost time of musical romantic comedy.
There’s no plot or story to worry about – you don’t need one. SPOILER ALERT! Everything works out for the best in the end. You can sit back, and enjoy the wonderful lyrics of Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals.
I will love being loved by you.
– “I Have Dreamed” from The King and I
Congratulations to the cast, a mix of return performers and newcomers. Belle Babcock and Tristan
Caldwell return after closing last season in The Fantasticks – they are both amazing.. Isabella Bertoni, Bridget Carrow, and Logan Pavia all make their debut as performers. I cannot wait to hear more from them this season.
Performance Details:
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s A Grand Night for Singing
June 6, 8:00pm; June 7, 4:00pm; June 8, 2:00 & 7:00pm; June 11, 2:00pm; June 12, 2:00 & 8:00pm; June 13, 8:00pm; June 14, 4:00 & 8:00pm; June 15, 2:00 & 8:00pm
Mac-Haydn Theatre
1925 NY-203
Chatham, NY
Tickets available at www.machaydntheatre.org or by calling the box office at (518) 392-9292