{"id":28174,"date":"2023-08-03T09:52:22","date_gmt":"2023-08-03T13:52:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/?p=28174"},"modified":"2023-08-03T09:52:23","modified_gmt":"2023-08-03T13:52:23","slug":"on-stage-the-sound-of-music-at-candlelight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/?p=28174","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: The Sound of Music at Candlelight"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, Entertainment Editor, The Times<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"

The Sound of Music<\/p><\/div>\n

If you\u2019re one of those music fans who never get tired hearing the songs from \u201cThe Sound of Music\u201d and would love to hear them performed in a live setting, you\u2019re in luck this month.<\/p>\n

On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays now through August 27, the Candlelight Dinner Theater (2208 Millers Road, Arden, Delaware,\u00a0302- 475-2313,\u00a0www.candlelighttheatredelaware.org<\/a>) will be presenting its latest offering of the 2022-2023 season \u00a0\u2013 \u201cThe Sound of Music.\u201d The show stars Sophie Jones as Maria Rainer and Paul McElwee as Captain Georg von Trapp.<\/p>\n

There are many classic musicals over the years that have been ensconced in the elite layer of all-time hit musicals \u2013 shows that have won numerous awards and set attendance records on a regular basis.<\/p>\n

Not surprisingly, these productions have generated an amazingly large list of songs everyone recognizes (even if they\u2019ve never seen any of the shows).<\/p>\n

Some of those musicals are \u201cMy Fair Lady,\u201d \u201cThe Lion King,\u201d \u201cBeauty and the Beast\u201d and \u201cPhantom of the Opera.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the NFL, there are many teams which have had a large number Hall of Fame players \u2013 Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants. But none can match the Chicago Bears.<\/p>\n

There is a parallel situation in the musical theater world.<\/p>\n

When it comes to sheer volume of songs that have lodged in everyone\u2019s subconscious, no show can come close to \u201cThe Sound of Music.\u201d<\/p>\n

Is there anyone out there who doesn\u2019t recognize at least one of these songs — \u201cThe Sound of Music,\u201d \u201cMaria,\u201d \u201cMy Favorite Things,\u201d \u201cDo-Re-Mi,\u201d \u201cSixteen Going on Seventeen,\u201d \u201cClimb Ev\u2019ry Mountain,\u201d \u201cEdelweiss,\u201d and \u201cSo Long, Farewell\u201d?<\/p>\n

On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays now through August 27,<\/p>\n

The Candlelight Dinner Theater\u2019s production of \u201cThe Sound of Music\u201d runs through the last Sunday of the month. The show stars Sophie Jones as Maria Rainer and Paul McElwee as Captain Georg von Trapp.<\/p>\n

This is a show that is carried by Maria Rainer. The story is her story and most of the \u201ckiller songs\u201d are her responsibility.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople expect the gorgeous score,\u201d said Jones, during a recent phone interview. \u201cThat\u2019s really what people go to see \u2018The Sound of Music for — Rodgers\u2019 and Hammerstein\u2019s score.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jones is no stranger to carrying a show — or to performing at the Candlelight.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is my seventh or eighth show at Candlelight,\u201d said Jones. \u201cIn 2017, I was working at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire at Mount Hope.<\/p>\n

\u201cA friend of mine was coming to Delaware to audition for \u2018Camelot\u2019 \u2013 and it was right at the end of my contract in Mount Hope.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jones was hired to play the pivotal role of Guenevere from the time she was Lady Guenevere until the time she was Queen Guenevere.<\/p>\n

Jones grew up in\u00a0Mankato, Minnesota. She graduated from the University of Minnesota-Mankato\u00a0summa cum laude and valedictorian of her department with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre.<\/p>\n

After graduation, she travelled east to Pennsylvania. Jones also travelled back in time \u2013 initially to the 16th century and then to the fifth and sixth centuries.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got cast in the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire at Mount Hope,\u201d said Jones. \u201cI spent the summer through November living in Manheim and working at the Faire.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jones then left central Pennsylvania and relocated to South Philly. It was then that her career path took her to the theater in Arden, Delaware.<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw a Theatre Philadelphia page posting about auditions at the Candlelight,\u201d said Jones, who now lives in New York. \u201cI figured \u2013 why not audition? I did the usual audition and then Bob (Kelly) asked me to come back a second time.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had never seen the show, but I was familiar with some of the songs from back when I was taking voice lessons. When I was auditioning for the BFA Musical Theater program at the University of Minnesota-Mankato, one of my main songs was \u2018The Simple Joys of Maidenhood.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Jones has had many interesting roles in Candlelight productions including Paula Abagnale in \u201cCatch Me If You Can,\u201d Fraulein Kost in \u201cCabaret,\u201d Silly Girl\/Napkin in \u201cDisney\u2019s Beauty & the Beast\u201d and Fiona MacLaren in \u201cBrigadoon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWith \u2018The Sound of Music,\u2019 the audience wants to hear a live performance of Rodgers\u2019 and Hammerstein\u2019s score,\u201d said Jones, who has performed Off Broadway as Celine in \u201cFinding Madame Curie. \u201cWe succeed. We have a ridiculously talented cast. I\u2019m really lucky to be part of it.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe biggest challenge playing Maria is that she\u2019s so unbelievably sincere in everything she does. I have to find her sincerity and her energy.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe first act is a marathon for me. It\u2019s all Maria \u2013 right from the meeting in the abbey. Finally, Maria gets a break at \u2018Sixteen Going on Seventeen.\u2019 It takes a lot of stamina.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was actually in \u2018The Sound of Music\u2019 in 2015 in South Dakota. I also saw the show was in 2012 at my college.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Sound of Music\u201d\u00a0is a\u00a0musical\u00a0with music by\u00a0Richard Rodgers, lyrics by\u00a0Oscar Hammerstein II, and a book by\u00a0Howard Lindsay\u00a0and\u00a0Russel Crouse. It is based on the 1949 memoir of\u00a0Maria von Trapp,\u00a0\u201cThe Story of the Trapp Family Singers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Set in Austria on the eve of the\u00a0Anschluss\u00a0in 1938, the musical tells the story of Maria, who takes a job as governess to a large family while she decides whether to become a nun. She falls in love with the children, and eventually their widowed father,\u00a0Captain von Trapp.<\/p>\n

He is ordered to accept a commission in the German navy, but he opposes the Nazis. He and Maria decide on a plan to flee Austria with the children.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a lot of similarities between the mid-to-late 1930s and what is happening in the world now \u2013 especially with Jews and gays,\u201d said Jones.<\/p>\n

The original\u00a0Broadway\u00a0production, starring\u00a0Mary Martin\u00a0and\u00a0Theodore Bikel, opened in 1959\u00a0and won five\u00a0Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The first London production opened at the\u00a0Palace Theatre\u00a0in 1961. The show has enjoyed numerous productions and revivals since then. It was adapted as a\u00a01965 film musical\u00a0starring\u00a0Julie Andrews\u00a0and\u00a0Christopher Plummer, which won five\u00a0Academy Awards, including Best Picture.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhenever anyone says, \u2018The Sound of Music,\u2019 the first reactions are Julie Andrews,\u201d said Jones. \u201cIt\u2019s solidly cemented in pop culture. Even if you\u2019ve never seen the film, there are so many references in pop culture.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor me, it\u2019s how do I make people feel that it\u2019s their first time to see this story come to life. I want to pay homage to the movie and the legend Julie Andrews has created. But I don\u2019t want people to leave the theater thinking \u2013 I could have just watched the movie.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a balancing of presenting Maria as she is in the show with what audiences expect. It\u2019s a good challenge to try to find my portrayal while keeping true to Maria.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jones\u2019 career travels have taken her from Mankato West High School, through University of Minnesota-Mankato and eventually to a variety of East Coast locations including Manheim, Arden and Philadelphia \u2013 with New York City as the final destination.<\/p>\n

\u201cI always knew my career was going to take me to New York,\u201d said Jones. \u201cI\u2019ve already been in a show on Theater Row at the Create Theater.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Sophie Jones — https:\/\/youtu.be\/PdX3SNkqnfU<\/a><\/p>\n

Performances of \u201cThe Sound of Music\u201d are scheduled for Friday and Saturday evenings (doors 6 p.m.\/show, 8 p.m.) and Sunday afternoons (doors, 1 p.m.\/show, 3 p.m.). Tickets, which include dinner and show, are $69 for adults and $33 for children (ages 4-12).<\/p>\n

This month, the theater is also hosting \u201cCandlelight Quizzo\u201d on August 21 at 6:30 p.m. and \u201cCandlelight Comedy Club\u201d on August 17 at 7:30 p.m. featuring Sheba Mason with Allan Fuks and Joe Murdock.<\/p>\n

Jamey\u2019s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, 215-477-9985,\u00a0www.jameyshouseofmusic.com<\/a>) continues its tradition of presenting top quality blues music this weekend.<\/p>\n

Area music fans know that Jamey\u2019s House of Music is a primo spot to hear folk, jazz and blues music every Thursday through Sunday.<\/p>\n

The \u201cThursday Night Jazz Jam\u201d and the \u201cSunday Blues Brunch & Jam\u201d are regular features on Jamey\u2019s calendar while Friday and Saturday night shows feature national and regional acts.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Clay Melton<\/p><\/div>\n

On August 4, the headline act will be The Clay Melton Band.<\/p>\n

Anyone who has crafted their own Top 10 list for blues guitarists is almost guaranteed to have at least one or two from Texas on that list \u2013 maybe even five or six.<\/p>\n

In the last half-century, Texas has blossomed as a breeding ground for blues guitar greats with a lineup that includes Johnny Winter, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmie Vaughan, T-Bone Walker, Freddie King, Albert Collins and Billy Gibbons.<\/p>\n

Now, there is another blues guitarist from the Lone Star State waiting in the wings to join the illustrious list \u2013 Clay\u00a0Melton.<\/p>\n

Blues-rock prodigies are a special breed.<\/p>\n

They live and breathe the fiery swagger of electric guitars and the irresistible allure of rhythm-soaked sounds. That\u2019s Clay\u00a0Melton\u2019s musical calling in a nutshell.<\/p>\n

Just 28 years old, the Louisiana-born and Texas-based blues-rocker has already spent 15 years performing live. His powerfully raspy voice and wicked guitar licks leave no doubt he\u2019s grown up in the school of barroom blues-rock.<\/p>\n

Melton\u2019s 2022 release, \u201cLive in Texas,\u201d which includes 10 original songs and one cover, received serious airplay in the U.S. and abroad.<\/p>\n

His riveting cover of ZZ Top\u2019s, \u201cJesus Just Left Chicago,\u201d climbed to the\u00a0Number 1 song in the world\u00a0on the Roots Music Blues Rock chart in June 2022. The album boasts production and engineering credits by five-time Grammy winner Malcolm Harper (The Black Keys, Mary J. Blige, Keith Urban and many others) as well as Melton himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cLive in Texas\u201d is\u00a0Melton\u2019s follow-up to 2021\u2019s critically acclaimed release,\u00a0\u201cBack to Blue,\u201d where the title track also climbed to the Number 1 song in the world on Roots Music Blues Rock chart while the album reached the Number 9 position. \u201cBack to Blue\u201d is\u00a0Melton\u2019s follow-up to 2017\u2019s critically acclaimed, full-length debut, \u201cBurn the Ships,\u201d which climbed the charts to Number 5 on Billboard Heatseekers.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy first exposure to music was when my dad gave me his cassettes \u2013 Willie Nelson, ZZ Top, classic rock,\u201d said\u00a0Melton, during a recent phone interview.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was 10, he played me Jimi Hendrix\u2019s \u2018All Along the Watchtower.\u2019 I vividly remember the slide solo.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got my first guitar when I was 11. I was listening to ZZ Top and Stevie Ray Vaughan.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s when I started getting into players from an earlier generation. Buddy Guy was one of the first I really got excited about. My dad was nice enough to take me out to a blues jam when I was 13.<\/p>\n

\u201cEarly on my listening was pretty blues heavy. I wasn\u2019t listening to what was popular on the radio. I was listening to Robin Trower, Albert Collins, Freddie King and Wes Montgomery.\u201d<\/p>\n

Melton\u2019s more straight up blues playing reveals him to be a fiery, inventive player that also shows off an introspective and reflective side of his personality.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we lean into the rocking side, it\u2019s because of Zep,\u201d said\u00a0Melton. \u201cWe\u2019re a trio. We keep trying to push the envelope with the three of us.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy drummer Zach Grindle has been with me for nine years. I\u2019ve been friends with my bass player Zachary Cox since middle school. We played together in a hard rock band in high school.\u201d<\/p>\n

Melton\u00a0is\u00a0currently working on a new album. The first single,\u00a0\u201cAlive on a Wire,\u201d was released back in February and the new one, \u201cRunner,\u201d came out recently.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re looking at a spring 2024 release for the album,\u201d said\u00a0Melton. \u201cWe\u2019re working in a different way.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur previous albums were done in a studio with a producer present. On this one, we\u2019re using our home studio \u2013 no fancy mics but it sounds great. We still work with our producer remotely.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Clay\u00a0Melton\u00a0\u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/B0_AtUi4xHU<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Tickets for the show on August 4 are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. The show is also available as a secure streaming event for $15.<\/p>\n

The headline act on August 5 will be The Neighbors.<\/p>\n

The Neighbors are Karen on bass and Mayo on guitar and vocals.\u00a0They have performed at locations in New York, Florida and points in between and they are currently performing in Philly.<\/p>\n

The music is eclectic and varied covering rock, pop, blues, reggae, Latin rock, punk and more. All music is delivered in an energetic and fun way. They like to engage the audience so come prepared to sing along. Karen has been playing bass since 2009, and Mayo has been playing and performing since 1969.<\/p>\n

The band also features Ms. Noni Rene on vocals and Paul Albrecht on drums.<\/p>\n

Tickets for the show on August 4 are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. The show is also available as a secure streaming event for $15.<\/p>\n

Jamey\u2019s features a popular \u201cGuest Singer Series\u201d on Thursday featuring many of the best singers in the region performing a set from 7-8 p.m. with the backing of the Dave Reiter Trio and occasional guest musicians.<\/p>\n

The Dave Reiter Trio lays down the backing for some out of this world jazz to happen, and you never know who might show up to join in. Reiter is a long-time jazz pro and is equally at home on the seven-string guitar, Nord keyboard or the venue\u2019s top of the line Hammond organ setup. Bill Marconi is on drums; his name is known to jazz aficionados around the world. Holding down the bottom is first-call Philly bassist, George Livanos.<\/p>\n

The \u201cGuest Singer\u201d for this Thursday is Starlene Bey.<\/p>\n

Doors open at 6 p.m. on August 3\u00a0will perform from 7-8 p.m. followed by an \u201cOpen Mic Jazz Jam\u201d from 8-10 p.m. There is a $10 cover charge.<\/p>\n

The \u201cSunday Blues Brunch & Jam\u201d is scheduled for every Sunday from noon-3 p.m. with the host band\u2019s set from noon-1 p.m. followed by an open mic from 1-3 p.m.<\/p>\n

The first, third, fourth and fifth Sunday sessions are hosted by the Philly Blues Kings while the hosts for second Sunday sessions are the Girke-Davis Project.<\/p>\n

Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center (226 North High Street, West Chester, www.uptownwestchester.org<\/a>) will look to draw a younger audience over the next few days.<\/p>\n

From August 3-5, the theater will present \u201cThe SpongeBob Musical,\u201d which is billed as \u201ca stunning all-singing, all-dancing, dynamic stage show.\u201d<\/p>\n

When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea world. With lives hanging in the balance and all hope lost, a most unexpected hero rises up. The power of optimism really can save the world.<\/p>\n

According to the website, \u201cAn exciting new musical featuring irresistible characters and magical music, this deep-sea pearl of a show is set to make a splash with audiences young and old. The future is bright, the future is bold, the future is\u00a0The SpongeBob Musical.\u201d<\/p>\n

Show times are 7 p.m. on August 3, 1 and 7 p.m. on August 4 and 1 p.m. on August 5.<\/p>\n

Tickets are $15.<\/p>\n

On July 27, Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295,\u00a0http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org<\/a>) is presenting \u201cWinslow: An Evening of the Eagles\u201d on August 5 as part of its \u201cRooftop Series.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Eagleview Summer Concerts on the Square\u00a0at Eagleview Town Center (Wharton Boulevard, Exton,\u00a0www.ineagleview.com<\/a>) will present\u00a0Miko Marks with special guest Brittany Ann Tranbaugh on August 15 and Mellow Fever on August 29.<\/p>\n

Bryn Mawr Twilight Concerts (9 South Bryn Mawr Avenue, Bryn Mawr,<\/a>\u00a0brynmawrtwilightconcerts.com<\/a>) will host Livingston Taylor on August 5, Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience on August 12, Susan Werner on August 19, Dar Williams on August 26, Carsie Blanton & Marielle Kraft on September and Jon McLaughlin on September 8.<\/p>\n

King Of Prussia\u2019s live outdoor music series\u00a0Concerts Under the Stars\u00a0(Upper Merion Township Building Park, West Valley Forge Road, King of Prussia, concertsunderthestarskop.com<\/a>) has Don McCloskey and Hoots & Hellmouth on August 5, Donna the Buffalo on August 12, Start Making Sense (Talking Heads tribute), Al Stewart & The Empty Pockets on August 26, Splintered Sunlight (Grateful Dead Tribute) on September 2, and Easy Star All\u2010Stars on September 16.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times If you\u2019re one of those music fans who never get tired hearing the songs from \u201cThe Sound of Music\u201d and would love to hear them performed in a live setting, you\u2019re in luck this month. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays now through August 27, the Candlelight Dinner Theater […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":28172,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4357],"tags":[11057,3162,6920],"class_list":["post-28174","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-clay-melton","tag-featured","tag-the-sound-of-music"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28174","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=28174"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28174\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28175,"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28174\/revisions\/28175"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/28172"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=28174"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=28174"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=28174"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}