Chicago Tribune - Highly Recommended
"...If, like me, you see the great Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals as national treasures to be loved by young and old and protected for generations to come, the beautiful, deeply emotional new holiday production of the iconic title “The Sound of Music” at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora will fill you with a warm glow."
Daily Herald - Highly Recommended
"...When it came to programming its 2022 season, Paramount Theatre opted against a holiday show. Instead, the Aurora theater scheduled Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein's beloved "The Sound of Music.""
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...The hills are alive in Aurora. Yes, the Paramount Theatre in Aurora, that jewel box of theatrical splendor is now doing the classic musical from Rogers & Hammerstein, "The Sound of Music". For many it seemed strange that just about a year after Marriott did this play, another regional theater would put on the same show. One must think about regional theater, and if so, we would have to consider the number of South Suburban and West Suburban theater audiences who do not venture to the North Shore ( for anything) and vice versa. Therefore it is not as strange as it might seem."
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
"...Amber Mak’s warm, very human production of one of the most-produced musicals of all time, is filled with eye-popping spectacle and childlike wonder. Every single character is a real person and exudes a realism and honesty not always found in other productions of this show. “The Sound of Music” would make an excellent first musical theatre experience for young audiences, but it will also greatly impress veteran theatergoers with its abundance of musical and dramatic talent. Ms Mak has created a wonderful production, just in time for the holidays, that exudes feelings of family, musical and technical artistry and hope. My sincere advice to audiences is to climb every mountain standing in order to see this glorious production of a true American classic. There will never be another version of “The Sound of Music” like this, and the show is bound to be one of your new “Favorite Things.”"
Buzznews.net - Highly Recommended
"...From the moment the sisters along with Mother Abbess sang “Maria” in one of the show’s earliest numbers, I knew I was in for a special performance. Their voices soared through the theater with a magnificence beyond what I had hoped. And when Mother Abbess (so richly performed by Susan Moniz) sang the final line in the song, “How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand”, it nearly brought tears to my eyes – just the beauty in her voice and the compassion within her words."
Chicagoland Musical Theatre - Highly Recommended
"...Anyone who has seen numerous screen and stage creations of the title—for musical theatre aficionados, that’s pretty much everyone—will be taken by Mak’s fresh approach, her Broadway-ready thirty-plus member cast, magical vocals and stunning visuals. That’s not to say this Sound of Music is some avant-garde depiction a la the recent Oklahoma! Everyone will fully recognize this honorable World War II-era tale of an Austrian postulant-turned-nanny who ultimately captivates a naval captain, flees the Nazis then, presumably, lives happily ever after. And it’s made all the better with Mak’s subtle influences."
Splash Magazine - Highly Recommended
"...The cast is wonderfully led by the absolutely darling Alicia Kaori as Maria. Not only does she have an incredible set of pipes, but she's a fine actor who absolutely makes this her own. There is no aping of Julie Andrews or Mary Martin or anyone else here. This is a delightful and sincere Maria who wants to be so good, but is best when she's leading children in childish games. She makes you understand what the nuns are talking about in their famous song."
BroadwayWorld - Highly Recommended
"...The talented ensemble of the 7 von Trapp children are a joy to behold. Julia Aragon as Liesl (her Paramount debut) and Michael Harp as Rolf work so well together in showing the wonderment of young love and the hurt as well. The interaction of the children makes us believe they are real siblings."
