By Jessica Beers

From the very young, to the young at heart, “The Sound of Music,” has been a part of countless people’s lives over what has amounted to nearly half a century. The longevity of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical has touched generations of people, which was evident at the show’s performance at the Wang Center, Wednesday, Sept. 17.

“The Sound of Music,” which opened in November 1959, takes place in 1938 and is based on Maria Von Trapp’s autobiography, “The Story of the Trapp Family Singers.” The lead roles included Marla Schaffel, as Maria, who most recently appeared in “Jane Eyre.” Burke Moses, as Captain Von Trapp, who played Gaston in Disney’s Broadway production of “Beauty and the Beast,” as well as Jeanne Lehman, as Mother Abbess, who also starred in Disney’s production of “Beauty and the Beast,” as Mrs. Potts.

Schaffel was very good as Maria, a free-spirited, nun-in-training, who falls for Captain Von Trapp. Her voice hit every note, even though at times it was hard to hear her over the loud orchestra. Moses remained firm even after he is touched by the love of Maria. It is expected that he would become more pleasant after he falls for her, yet this change is hard to notice. Lehman’s voice could have been stronger in her duet with Schaffel in “My Favorite Things,” and especially in her solo, “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” yet she was still pleasant to listen to and fit the character of Mother Abbess.

The actors playing the Von Trapp children were delightfully entertaining. Kristen Bowden who played Liesl Von Trapp, the eldest daughter, is very appealing as her character. Her duet with Bret Shuford, who plays Rolf Gruber, the telegram deliverer turned Nazi, was fun to watch because it included both singing and dancing. Eddie Pendergraft, who plays Friedrich Von Trapp, the eldest boy and second eldest child, seems awkward in the lineup of child actors. Friedrich, 14, appears to be 30, and looks more like their father than their brother, especially since all of the other child actors are children or at least resemble the age of the character that they are playing.

Overall the performance was very enjoyable. The scenery was beautiful and detailed, with the exception of the painted mountains on the transparent screen backdrop which despite their fake appearance did not take away from the feeling that you really were there with the Von Trapp’s, fleeing Nazism in Austria. Most importantly, though, was the look of sheer enjoyment on children’s faces who were experiencing “The Sound of Music” for the first time. It is the story of a family for families.