The Baroness
Playhouse on Park
By: Karen Isaacs - Jun 15, 2025
If you can quote songs from The Sound of Music, or even if you can’t, The Baroness will tickle your funny bone.
This new comedy by Connecticut’s own Jacques Lamarre has just two characters: Elsa, the Baroness who Captain von Trapp was supposed to marry, and Rolf, the messenger delivery boy smitten with the eldest daughter, Liesl.
The nuns ask, “how do you solve a problem like Maria?” but Maria is a BIG problem for Elsa, or the Baroness as she wishes to be called. Capt. Von Trapp has dumped her to marry Maria. She is NOT happy. As she returns to her room, she is soon joined by Rolf. She develops a plan; she will not leave despite being expected to. Instead, she will stay confined to her room until Capt. Von Trapp sees the errors of his ways.
Lamarre makes full use of the original quoting lines from the songs and plays up Elsa’s dislike for the children. Remember, she planned to pack them all off to boarding school. She can’t even remember their names, referring to Liesl as “the old one.” But he also has the characters comment on the show. Rolf complains he only has the one song – and that a duet — “Sixteen Going On Seventeen” – and Elsa bemoans that her two songs (both with Max, the concert promoter) were cut from the movie. To add insult to injury, one was replaced with another song for Maria. She also mentions how strange it is that Max, who is from Vienna, is running the local music festival.
But Lamarre adds his own touches. He creates a back story for Elsa that reveals she is not fabulously wealthy, which is why she is so desperate to marry the captain. Of course, she is woefully ignorant of the political situation, but she does not like Hitler, though she knows she will adapt if need be.
The conclusion is brilliant, but I don’t want to spoil it. Let’s just say that Elsa comes to the rescue of the entire family.
This is not a show for general audiences. Let’s acknowledge that Elsa and Rolf develop a mutual attraction that is graphically discussed, and we learn that the butler has a secret that Elsa uses to her advantage.
Sarah Street as the Baroness struts around the stage in appropriate high dudgeon anger, bemoaning her lost opportunity. Street manages to keep the character realistic while also exaggerating her emotions. The bright red gown (the costumes were by Jimmy Johansmeyer) reflects her mood while also emphasizing her physical attributes. Nick Apostolina as Rolf evolves from a somewhat naïve make-believe man to a true believer who you recognize will gladly destroy people. We can cheer when Elsa ensures his downfall. Director Michael Schiralli keeps the show moving, but he also doesn’t over do the humor.
Scenic designer Kim Zhou has created a luxurious bedroom with a sitting area and a convenient balcony for Rolf. This is one time when the large Playhouse on Park stage doesn’t create problems.
This world premiere provides for a delightfully funny evening in the theater. You can always count on Jacques Lamarre to push the envelope with his humor. He is at his best with this show..
The Baroness Is at Playhouse on Park through Sunday, June 22. Visit PlayhouseOnPark.org for tickets.