Bowie's David Dickey Shines in 'The Sound of Music'

Last weekend Live Arts Maryland delivered four near flawless performances of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music. 

In Annapolis, Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts was truly “alive with the sound of music” delivered by a cast of 20 singer and actors who were supported by the Annapolis Chamber Orchestra and a select chorus of Annapolis Chorale members all under the skilled direction of J. Ernest Green.

Maryland Hall was nearly filled to capacity on Saturday evening when I attended, and I heard large enthusiastic audiences were at the afternoon matinee and previous evening’s performance. 

The show was repeated for the Performing Arts Association of Linthicum (PAAL) subscribers Sunday at Chesapeake Arts Center in Brooklyn Park where empty seats were scarce and the audience was described as “the most enthusiastic ever” by PAAL President Jo Barker.

To be part of this show would be a privilege for any actor and to excel in creating a pivotal role becomes a major accomplishment.  Young Bowie native David Dickey did exactly that in creating a memorable performance. 

When asked about David during rehearsals, Music Director Green said, “We’re so glad to have David Dickey back with us for another Broadway in Annapolis production.  He was in The Secret Garden as Colin with us back in 2002 when he was a boy and it’s great to see how he’s grown as a performer and as a person.  He’s doing a great job as Rolf.”

I saved my February 14, 2002 Secret Garden review published in the Baltimore Sun with a photo of then 9-year-old David where I say, “As Colin, 9-year-old David Dickey sang well and conveyed his character’s growing from sheltered invalid to outgoing lively boy.”

According to the program notes David Dickey appeared in Bowie High School productions of Peter Pan, All Shook Up, Grease, and A Year with Frog and Toad.  An accomplished oboist, David has played in the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestra and the Annapolis Chamber Orchestra.

In past summers he has attended the New England Music Camp, Interlochen Summer Arts Camp, Eastern Music Festival, and the Washington National Opera Institute. He currently attends the University of Maryland, College Park and studies vocal performance and oboe performance.

Here 18-year-old David Dickey played the juvenile lead and pivotal role of Rolf, first a 17-year-old messenger boy who has a crush on oldest von Trapp daughter Liesl played by Annapolis favorite Katherine Riddle who also appeared in Secret Garden.

Together Dickey as Rolf and Riddle as Liesl sang the enchanting “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” to deliver one major high point in the many highs of this production. 

The actor playing Rolf not only has to sing well and be able to dance, he also has to be a convincing enough actor to evolve from messenger boy to a young Nazi who tries to warn the von Trapp family of the dangers they face. Later when among the Nazi search party, Rolf must convey the proper emotion when he discovers Liesl and her family hiding in the abbey and refrains from exposing them, allowing them time to escape.

Dickey manages all of this quite professionally.  His star is rising, and it has been fun to be able to report its brightening.