What is your most vivid memory of The melody of happiness ?
Gregory Charles : The first movie my parents saw together was The melody of happiness in 1965! We watched it as a family countless times. I also saw the play on stage in New York, Chicago, Toronto, London, Montreal. When I first auditioned for the village choir, I sang Edelweiss ! In addition, I repeatedly taught this repertoire for 25 years. For me, it’s a great opera of the XXe century !
Eric Paulhus : My memories relate all to the film which I saw child and which I had not seen again since. It’s a nostalgic memory. I come from a music background; I was also part of the Petits Chanteurs de Laval with Gregory from 6 to 10 years old! I discovered theater through musicals like The melody of happiness. These characters who told a story made me want to do theatre.
Klara Martel-Laroche : I remember seeing this film when I was very young. I was sitting in the living room at our house and as soon as the movie was over, I instantly demanded that my parents put it back on. I saw it three times in a row! I’ve always loved old musicals like this; it’s so good to listen to, even if the story is not light when you think about it.
What is your favorite song ?
GC :This is a song that didn’t exist in the show on Broadway in 1959, but was added in the movie: Something Good (A good action in French version). It’s in the same family as several other songs, but it’s even better. The chord sequence is brilliant. It’s nice. The lyrics say: I had to do something good for something so happy to happen to me.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Éric Paulhus dons the clothes of Captain von Trapp in the French version of The melody of happiness.
EP : The song that I love to perform remains song of the hills. It’s a turning point for my character. The captain, who is arguing with Maria, hears his children sing this piece and decides to board with them. It’s so strong! He overshadowed the music of his life because of the death of his wife, but at this moment, we see his armor crack. Each time, it has an effect on me!
KM-L : I’ve always had a big weakness for the piece I trust (I have confidence in English). I had forgotten her a bit, but as I got older, I got to know her better. It’s a strong text, which comes at an interesting moment for my character. Maria says that despite her fear of leaving the convent, she does. She trusts herself, she takes risks. It’s inspiring.
What is your greatest happiness to participate in this production?
GC : I realize that I have acquired an experience — of life, but also of play — that I can share. That’s what I’m doing on this project, the biggest that I’m directing without being on stage myself. I’m happy with that. Working with children is also a great pleasure. However, it’s more painful not to be on stage. I’m more nervous now than when I’m part of the show. There is a letting go to acquire!
EP : Playing with this team is a great pleasure. There is a lot of new talent in the cast, young people who arrive with an immense desire to do what they have dreamed of for years, what they studied for. And they have so much vocal talent, it’s almost intimidating! The team is really tight-knit.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Klara Martel-Laroche plays Maria Rainer.
KM-L : Performing this piece is a dream for me. The team is fantastic and the children…they are so inspiring in their spontaneity! This is the biggest project in which I participated in my career. It’s a huge boat. I also like the renewed version that we are offering. For example, the sets are magnificent, very lively; they bring another dimension than what we usually see.
What is The melody of happiness still have to tell us in 2022?
GC : The melody of happiness conveys universal values: compassion, family, kindness, beauty, listening… The nuns come together to help Maria find her way. And the captain, the main character in my eyes, goes from dark to light, a lot thanks to the music. This piece reminds us that together, with passion, we can always get by.
EP : This piece is not moralizing. She tells us that we all have the right to access happiness. Yes, there is implicitly a rich historical context, with the presence of the Nazis, but it is the freedom to be oneself that predominates in my eyes. The melody of happiness reminds us that we have the right to make choices and to pursue our feelings in order to be happy.
KM-L : What touches me the most in this work is the authenticity of the characters. It’s a great lesson. Maria does not know how to lie and this authenticity has an effect around her. In contact with him, the captain becomes more and more honest with himself. Sometimes you have to share everything you experience with others to be able to go further. And that doesn’t go out of style.
The melody of happinessversion 2022
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Gregory Charles has chosen a lyrical approach for this new version of The melody of happiness.
It’s not the first time that The melody of happiness went up to Montreal. Denise Filiatrault conducted this classic in 2010 (revived in 2013). This time, the play is presented in English and French (with two different casts). By his own admission, Gregory Charles wanted to give the work a lyrical character, entrusting the score to an orchestra of ten musicians, who can be seen on stage. As for the cast, it has more than 25 singers and dancers, including 6 children.
From December 3 to 30, at the St-Denis Theater