FINDING SOMETHING GOOD–Performing in “The Sound of Music” at Newbury Park High School are Kevin Baldwin as Capt. von Trapp and Alana Grossman as Maria. The Newbury Park High School Panther Players’ fall presentation of “The Sound of Music” proves two things: first, the timelessness of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical swan song, and second, the abilities of the talented cast and crew to present the show with professionalism and poise.

As most everyone knows, “The Sound of Music” has become a cultural phenomenon, due mostly to the staying power of the 1965 motion picture version starring Julie Andrews. The legendary film has spawned fan clubs, singalong screenings at the Hollywood Bowl and even a tour of the movie’s Austrian locales. Its stature as the most successful motion picture musical of all time has overshadowed the 1959 Broadway show starring Mary Martin, which was no slouch itself, running for more than 1,400 performances.

The Panther Players, led by director Michael Ollins and musical director John “Sarge” Sargent,” used the original Broadway version as a model, which includes some songs placed in scenes different from the film version as well as some that were deleted altogether from the movie.

Shining like a beacon throughout the production is high school senior Alana Grossman, who plays the central role of Maria Rainer. A recent winner of the Los Angeles Music Center Spotlight Awards, Grossman is nothing short of magical in her portrayal of the former nun who becomes a governess for an Austrian officer’s seven children. In addition to her melodious voice, Grossman imbues her characterization with the warmth and girlish giddiness that anyone playing Maria requires. Despite performing alongside other students with impressive talents, Grossman rises above them all, exhibiting a presence and maturity far beyond her years.

Although she is just a junior, Chelsea Glasner is also a promising talent in the making. With a breathtaking voice, Glasner plays the key role of the Mother Abbess (normally a mezzo soprano), who sings the uplifting “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” as the show’s Act I closer.

Elsa Schraeder, Captain von Trapp’s fiancee, does not sing any songs in the film version but has two in the Broadway edition: “How Can Love Survive” and “No Way to Stop It,” the latter one of Hammerstein’s social commentary numbers. Elsa is beautifully played by petite Ella Bowen, who provides the traditionally haughty character with the same vivaciousness she brought to her portrayal of Rosie in last season’s “Bye Bye Birdie.”

The comic relief of the show is impresario Max Detweiler, played by junior Jacob Eneberg, whose outgoing nuttiness is funnier than Richard Hayden’s prissier film portrayal. As the stern Captain von Trapp, Kevin Baldwin is attractive and has a pleasing voice, as evidenced by his poignant solo of the fauxAustrian folk song “Edelweiss.” In a minor role, Tim Reese shows graceful dexterity as Rolf in a charming scene with Amanda Wanamaker’s Liesl in which they sing “Sixteen Going on Seventeen.”

Of the seven youngsters playing the von Trapp children, five: Wanamaker (who shines as the eldest girl, Liesl), Brendan Rosenthal (Friedrich), Nicole Escandon (Louisa), Brett Crockett (Kurt) and Brianna Lindberg (Brigitta) are NPHS students. The two youngest, second-grader Tallula Herman Auman (Marta) and kindergartner Maddy Mekari (Gretl) steal the show with their every line and movement. The children showed tremendous poise when Mekari’s microphone battery pack broke loose, with no one missing a step or a note as she trailed it behind her (it was sometimes even carried during dance numbers by Lindberg). The entire cast also responded well to persistent miking problems that saw some actors overmodulated and others not at all.

“The Sound of Music” concludes its run this weekend. Tickets are available at www .ShowTix4U.com or at the school box office.