The Sound of Music :: Rodgers & Hammerstein :: Show Details GUEST BLOG: Liesl from THE SOUND OF MUSIC Live! on NBC A guest blog from the amazing young woman portraying Liesl in the upcoming NBC broadcast of THE SOUND OF MUSIC Live! read more Did you know? The real Captain von Trapp was offered command of a submarine in the Navy of the Third Reich, which he refused. The von Trapps were invited to sing for Hitler?s 50th birthday party, which they also declined. The eldest son, Rupert, was offered a medical post in a good Viennese hospital; but, he realized it was because many Jewish doctors had been fired. With tensions rising, the family emigrated to Italy four months after the Anschluss in 1938. Did you know? In THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Maria von Trapp was a novice at Nonnberg Abbey. The historic Nonnberg Abbey was founded in the 8th century by Avendrid, niece of St. Rupert who is considered the patron saint of Salzburg. The city also has a cathedral monastery and is often called ?The Rome of the North.? Did you Know?

At the 1960 Tony Awards Mary Rodgers found her musical ONCE UPON A MATTRESS competing against a show by her father Richard Rodgers - THE SOUND OF MUSIC - for the category of Best Musical! In 1967 THE SOUND OF MUSIC finished its run at the Palace Theatre, London, after six years and 2,385 performances - at the time, the longest running American musical in British theatrical history. The birthday of Maria von Trapp. In 1905, Maria Augusta Kutschera Trapp was born aboard a train in the Tirol, Austria. The story of her early life served as the inspiration for THE SOUND OF MUSIC. The birthday of Florence Henderson, who played Maria von Trapp in the first U.S. National Tour of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, starting in 1961. Best known for playing Carol Brady on The Brady Bunch from 1968 to 1974, Florence Henderson began her career as a stage actress.

In addition to THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Henderson starred as Laurey in the 1953 Broadway revival of OKLAHOMA!, as Anna in the Los Angeles Music Center's inaugural production of THE KING AND I, and as Nellie at the Music Theater of Lincoln Center?s SOUTH PACIFIC in 1967. In 2010 she performed on "Dancing with the Stars"" - even waltzing to ""Edelweiss"" from THE SOUND OF MUSIC!" In 1990, in celebration of THE SOUND OF MUSIC's silver anniversary, Twentieth Century Fox hosted a gala screening/reunion for director Robert Wise, star Julie Andrews, and other members of the cast in Los Angeles; the movie is subsequently rereleased for a limited engagement in Los Angeles and New York. The birthday of Russel Crouse, book writer of the musicals CALL ME MADAM and THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Crouse was born in 1893. The birthday of singer Marni Nixon.

Marni Nixon became famous as the singing voice of Deborah Kerr in Rodger & Hammerstein?s film THE KING AND I, as well as Audrey Hepburn in MY FAIR LADY and Natalie Wood in WEST SIDE STORY. Nixon finally appeared as a performer on camera while singing the part of Sister Sophia in the film THE SOUND OF MUSIC. In 1961, the national tour of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, starring Florence Henderson, began at the Riviera Theatre, Detroit. It played in 35 cities before closing at the O'Keefe Center, Toronto, on November 23, 1963. In 1965, Twentieth Century Fox premiered the movie version of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, directed by Robert Wise and starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. It played in New York for a record-setting 93 weeks. The movie's initial U.S. release lasted 4.5 years, and from 1966 to 1972 THE SOUND OF MUSIC was cited by Variety as the "All-Time Box Office Champion."" It remains the most popular movie musical ever made." The birthday of Julie Andrews, born in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, England.

International star of stage and screen, her long and cherished association with Rodgers & Hammerstein includes starring as the title character in the original TV production of CINDERELLA (1957), playing Maria in the iconic movie version of THE SOUND OF MUSIC (1965), and singing the role of Anna in the studio cast recording of THE KING AND I (1992) In 1959, the world premiere of THE SOUND OF MUSIC was presented at the Shubert Theatre, New Haven. In 1959, Oscar Hammerstein II began work on "Edelweiss,"" his 1,589th and last lyric, written for THE SOUND OF MUSIC. It is completed on October 21st and went into the show during its pre-Broadway tryout in Boston." In 1889 book writer Howard Lindsay was born. Lindsay became best known for writing the books to THE SOUND OF MUSIC, CALL ME MADAM, MR. PRESIDENT, and ANYTHING GOES. In 2006, Connie Fisher starred in the London revival of THE SOUND OF MUSIC to rave reviews.

She had been cast as Maria by the BBC?TV reality show HOW DO YOU SOLVE A PROBLEM LIKE MARIA, masterminded by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Millions of Britons voted, making Fisher, formerly a telemarketer, an overnight star. The success of the reality show won it an international Emmy Award and prompted the largest advance of a musical in West End history. In 1959, THE SOUND OF MUSIC opened at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, New York. In 1966 at the 38th annual Academy Awards, THE SOUND OF MUSIC received five Oscars, including Best Picture of the Year. In 1960 at the 14th annual Tony Awards, THE SOUND OF MUSIC received five, including Best Actress (Mary Martin) and, for the first time in Tony history, shared a tie for Best Musical (with FIORELLO!). Did you know that composer Richard Rodgers found his musical competing against a show written by his own daughter? ONCE UPON A MATTRESS had opened on Broadway in 1959, with music by Mary Rodgers. In 1913, Mary Martin was born in Weatherford, Texas.

She created the roles of Nellie Forbush in SOUTH PACIFIC and Maria von Trapp in THE SOUND OF MUSIC, winning a Tony Award for each. In 1961 THE SOUND OF MUSIC opened at the Palace Theatre, London. Did you know? Thirteen-year-old Andrew Lloyd Webber got to attend the opening because of a fan letter he had written to Richard Rodgers. The birthday of actor Jon Voight. Did you know? Before he made his name on the big screen, the future star played Rolf Gruber during the original Broadway run of THE SOUND OF MUSIC in the early 1960s. Did you know? In real life, the von Trapp family fled Austria and eventually settled in Vermont. Eventually they opened a resort business in their new American home that is still in operation today. The Trapp Family Lodge first opened in 1950 with 27 rooms. Today, the resort has 100 2-bedroom guest houses and 16 villas that sits on 2,700 acres of land. Guests can play tennis, go Nordic skiing and ? of course ? take music lessons. Did you know?

As soon as Julie Andrews was cast in the movie of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, attention turned to who would play her Captain von Trapp. Executives at 20th Century Fox were eager for Bing Crosby (a suggestion director Robert Wise never took seriously.) Filmmakers also thought about Sean Connery, Rex Harrison, and Yul Brynner ? known for his role in THE KING AND I. The part eventually went to Christopher Plummer. Did you know? During the filming of ?Sixteen Going On Seventeen? for THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Charmian Carr (as Liesl) ended up dancing through the plate-glass windows of the gazebo. Fortunately for everyone involved, this was her last sequence filmed and she only sprained her ankle. Agathe von Trapp wrote about her family's emigration in the book MEMORIES BEFORE AND AFTER THE SOUND OF MUSIC : "Even though it was clear to us that we had to leave Austria as soon as possible [following the Anschluss of March 1938]...Mother [Maria von Trapp] looked for divine approval concerning the move.

Papa [Baron Georg von Trapp] called us all together, opened the Bible, and let his finger pick a passage at random. Then he read to us:""Now the LORD had said unto Abram: Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee"" (Gen. 12:1 KJV.)""" Theodore Bikel, who starred in the original Broadway production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC as Captain von Trapp to Mary Martin's Maria, had personal connection to the role. Born in Vienna, his family fled to Palestine following the Nazi annexation of Austria on this day in 1938. Bikel's background as a guitar player and folk singer helped inspire the Rodgers & Hammerstein song Edelweiss. Did you know? In March of 1961, avant garde jazz saxophonist John Coltrane caused a sensation when he released the album "My Favorite Things"".

It was a Jazz landmark, named for its 14 minute riff on Rodgers & Hammerstein's ""My Favorite Things."" Not only did the album (also titled ""My Favorite Things"") introduce Coltrane's new quartet - with McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones and Steve Davis - but it also was his first record for Atlantic Records, and opened up new harmonic explorations for jazz musicians." Did you know? Georg von Trapp's service to the Austro-Hungarian Empire was chronicled in "To the Last Salute: Memories of an Austrian U-Boat Commander"". A skilled and fearless naval captain, he sank over 30 boats during World War I, but von Trapp's job disappeared when Austria lost its seaports to Italy. Trapp's birthplace Trieste became part of Italy too, allowing his family to flee from the Nazi annexation years later across the border with his passport - the conclusion of THE SOUND OF MUSIC." In THE SOUND OF MUSIC, the Captain and Maria first realize their feelings for each other while dancing a classic Austrian folk dance called the Laendler. The Laendler was a popular folk dance in 3/4 or waltz time.

Richard Rodgers cleverly uses the music from ?The Lonely Goatherd? for the ballroom scene during which Maria and the Captain dance and fall in love. In the film version of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, the real Maria von Trapp has a cameo appearance in the background in the Residenzplatz during ?I Have Confidence,? shot on location in Salzburg. Dressed in Austrian garb, she is visible for only a fleeting moment, as Julie Andrews sings her story to the cameras. Unaware that filming this short segment would require several takes, Maria later declared ?That?s one ambition I?m giving up.? Did you know? In a 1987 studio cast recording of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, opera stars sang the leads, with Eileen Farrell as the Mother Abbess, and H�kan Hageg�rd as the Captain. The role of Maria was sung by Frederica Von Stade (b. 1945) an American opera singer highly lauded for her mezzo-soprano voice, and known for performing The Barber Of Seville, The Merry Widow, Pelleas Et Melisande and . This recording was part of a trend to create ?cross-over?

albums featuring opera singers performing traditionally musical theatre roles. SHOW BOAT, SOUTH PACIFIC and ANNIE GET YOUR GUN were among the shows to receive this treatment. In 1963, THE SOUND OF MUSIC closed at the Mark Hellinger Theatre, New York, after 1,443 performances. Did you know? THE SOUND OF MUSIC has no overture! Having little experience with liturgical music, Richard Rodgers did some research at the Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York while writing the score. Mother Morgan, head of the music department there, invited Rodgers to a concert specially arranged for him to show off the different kinds of musical prayer. For the opening of the musical, Rodgers set the Catholic prayer ?Dixit Dominus? for the nuns of Nonnberg Abbey. Did you know? At the end of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, the von Trapp family climbs over the mountains to freedom into neighboring Switzerland. In reality, Salzburg does not border Switzerland; it borders Germany. If the real von Trapp family had actually climbed over the Obersalzberg Mountain, as they do in the film version, they would have found themselves face to face with Hitler?s mountain retreat, Eagle's Nest at Berchtesgaden.

Did you know? Walt Disney was so impressed by Julie Andrews? Broadway portrayal of Guinevere in Lerner and Loewe?s CAMELOT that he went backstage and asked her to play Mary Poppins. Film director Robert Wise then decided to cast Andrews as Maria in THE SOUND OF MUSIC as soon as he saw ?rushes? of her scenes while shooting MARY POPPINS. Did you know? The real children of Captain von Trapp with his first wife were named Rupert (1911-1992), Werner (1915-2007), Hedwig (1917-1975), Johanna (1919-1994), Martina (1921-1951), Agatha (b. 1913) and Maria F. (b. 1914). Maria had 3 children with Georg after their marriage: Rosmarie (b. 1929), Elenore aka ?Lorli? (b. 1931) and Johannes (b. 1939). Did you know? After Hammerstein passed away, Rodgers needed a new writing partner.

For the first time in his career, he turned to himself for words. In 1962, Rodgers crafted new songs for the re-make of STATE FAIR and wrote both music and lyrics for the musical NO STRINGS. When the film version THE SOUND OF MUSIC needed new numbers, Rodgers wrote and composed the songs ?I Have Confidence? and ?Something Good.? In 1964 Director Robert Wise and his SOUND OF MUSIC cast and crew wrapped up eleven weeks of shooting on location in and around Salzburg, Austria.

“The soaring optimism of Climb Ev’ry Mountain is a match for any 60’s pop anthem and the genius of the show lies in the affirmation that it is possible to have youthful exuberance, idealism and love without the sex and drugs and rock'n'roll.” — Paul Simei-Barton, The New Zealand Herald , October 06, 2014 "An irresistible score that's always in tune!" — Entertainment Weekly, January 01, 2001 "The loveliest musical imaginable...the dialogue is vibrant and amusing in a plot that rises to genuine excitement." — New York Telegram And Sun, January 01, 1959 "The sentiments of THE SOUND OF MUSIC are genuine and are presented, unabashedly and effectively, in the show's music, lyrics and dialogue...It is uplifting theater, appealing successfully and without apology to the better side of our natures." — Douglas J. Keating, The Philadelphia Inquirer , December 23, 1993 "It's not just the perfect compatibility of music and lyrics that makes audiences flock unremittingly to THE SOUND OF MUSIC. The show can jerk tears from even the driest of eyes.

And if that isn't enough, there's the opportunity for a gaggle of children to mesmerise with their talents and charisma. It's a near- perfect recipe." — Peter Brown, LondonTheatre "The show has considerable integrity and has weathered the years so well." — Michael Billington, The Guardian Cast Description, Written By: Tim Crouse , January 01, 1970 Maria Rainer: A young, orphaned Nonnberg Abbey postulant whose impetuous behavior calls her fitness for the veil into question, Maria is dispatched by the Mother Abbess on a probationary tour of duty as governess to the seven children of the widowed Captain Georg von Trapp. Initially cowed by the Captain's autocratic manner, she holds her own with him, wins over his children, restores music to his house, and discovers, to her distress, that he has fallen in love with her and she with him.

Retreating to the Abbey, she is sent back to the von Trapp villa by the Mother Abbess, in order to find "how God wants you to spend your love." That turns out to be as a wife to the captain, a second mother to his offspring, and a pathfinder who helps lead them out of the peril looming over them. Captain Georg von Trapp: A decorated naval hero of the First World War, adamantly opposed to the Nazis and their designs on his beloved Austria. Traumatized by the loss of his wife, he has distanced himself from his home and the music which once animated it. The arrival of the postulant Maria Rainer as a governess breaks open his shell, bringing him back to his children and music. Marrying her, he gains a stalwart, resourceful partner in his daring decision to flee with his family from the dictates of the Third Reich, to freedom. The Mother Abbess: Spiritual head of Nonnberg Abbey, mentor to Maria.

Her credo: "You have to find the life you were born to live." She shepherds Maria from a mistaken vocation as a nun to a true one as a wife and mother, finally helping her to escape, with her new family, over the mountain where both she and Maria grew up. Max Detweiler: A charming, well-connected impresario, he is a confidant of the Captain's lover, Elsa Schraeder, and apparently, like her, a moral chameleon. His collaboration with the regime in Berlin threatens his friendship with the Captain, but in the end he risks everything to save the von Trapps. Elsa Schraeder: A chic, attractive Viennese widow, president of her late husband's corporation, now involved in a relationship with Captain von Trapp. Her expectations of marrying the Captain founder on her willingness to accept the Nazis, a moral pliancy that is anathema to him. A widower, he has shut out of his life everything that reminds him of his wife, including music and his seven children.

Song # Written By: Bert Fink 20th Century Fox, a once grand and glorious studio, had done very well by the Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals: movie versions of OKLAHOMA!, CAROUSEL, SOUTH PACIFIC, THE KING AND I and STATE FAIR had all been produced under the auspices of this studio, and had collected nine Academy Awards among them. Successful as they were, none of these films could prepare the studio—or the film industry itself—for the phenomenon that was THE SOUND OF MUSIC. In 1964 THE SOUND OF MUSIC was viewed as a respectable stage property with a good track record: still going strong in the West End (where it would eventually become the longest running American musical in London history), and on a U.S. national tour, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, had by this time racked up a healthy 1443-performance run on Broadway, and collected five Tony Awards including Musical of the Year. In Hollywood, however, where there’s no such thing as a sure thing, turning this stage property into a potentially viable movie was considered a longshot.

For one thing, the movie's budget was—for the first time—large: more than $8 million, and much of that due to the decision to film as much of the movie as possible on location in Salzburg, near and around the Von Trapp villa (though not the villa itself) and the mountains. Also, the cast was relatively unknown. For the central role of Maria, the likes of Mia Farrow, Lesley Ann Warren and Doris Day were each considered before the decision was made to go with 29-year-old Julie Andrews. Although already established as a Broadway star for her roles in THE BOYFRIEND, MY FAIR LADY and CAMELOT, Julie Andrews had yet to be discovered by the movie audiences, and was perhaps best known in Hollywood for Jack Warner's decision to pass her over for the lead in the movie of MY FAIR LADY (which went instead to Audrey Hepburn). Walt Disney, however, took the chance and hired her for MARY POPPINS, and it was after viewing rough footage of her work for Disney that the folks at Fox signed her up immediately.

Joining Julie for the film were Christopher Plummer as the Captain (who, although he wanted to do his own singing, was eventually dubbed in the musical numbers by Bill Lee); Peggy Wood, Eleanor Parker, Anna Lee and Richard Haydn. Twenty-one-year-old Charmaine Carr headed up the cast of the seven children. Marni Nixon, the phantom dubber who provided the singing voice for the leads in WEST SIDE STORY, MY FAIR LADY and THE KING AND I, actually appeared on screen this time as Sister Sophia, and so did the real-life Maria Von Trapp, who makes a quick appearance in a Salzburg sequence. To make THE SOUND OF MUSIC an on-screen reality, a team of old hands at movie musicals was assembled. Robert Wise, who had won two Oscars in 1961 for another Broadway-to-Hollywood musical adaptation, WEST SIDE STORY, was signed on to produce and direct THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Ernest Lehman, who worked with Rodgers and Hammerstein on the screen adaption of THE KING AND I, did similar honors here. Richard Rodgers himself took an active role in the movie and significantly amended the score.

Two songs were cut, "An Ordinary Couple" (a wistful love duet sung by Maria and the Captain) and "How Can Love Survive?" (a brittle, sardonic duet with an atypical Hammerstein lyric, sung by Elsa and Max). Replacing them were two new songs with both music and lyrics by Rodgers (Oscar Hammerstein had died in the summer of 1960, less than a year after THE SOUND OF MUSIC opened on Broadway): "I Have Confidence" and "Something Good." Filming took place throughout the spring and summer of 1964, including eleven weeks on location in and about Salzburg. For those who like to bookend their data, the first scene filmed (in the studio in California) featured Maria and the children singing "My Favorite Things," and shooting ended at the beginning, with the now-classic opening sequence featuring Julie Andrews on top of the hill and the spectacular Alpine scenery. As an early test for the movie, Fox executive Richard Zanuck arranged for a sneak preview in Minneapolis in February 1965. "The weather was miserable, and we thought nobody would show up," he recalled.

"But the theatre was full, and at intermission the whole audience stood up and applauded for five minutes. They did it again at the end, and we looked at each other, shell-shocked." Ernest Lehman commented, "We didn't know at the beginning it would be such a phenomenon." The world premiere of THE SOUND OF MUSIC was held at the Rivoli Theatre in New York City on March 2, 1965. It played there for a record-breaking 93-week engagement, igniting a momentum that went on to shatter records in all areas of popular entertainment. The initial U.S. release of the film lasted for more than four years. From Japan to Parsi (for the Iranian market), from London to Lisbon, from SUONA DELLA MUSICA in Italy to LA MELODIE DI BONHEUR in France, THE SOUND OF MUSIC quickly became a sound hear the world over. Nominated for ten Academy Awards, THE SOUND OF MUSIC received five, including Best Director for Robert Wise and Best Picture of the Year. From 1966 to 1969 it was the number one Box Office Champion, according to Variety's survey.

To this day, THE SOUND OF MUSIC is one of the twenty-five top grossing films of all time, and the oldest title on that list. It has become the most popular musical ever made . The motion picture soundtrack, released internationally on the RCA label, has gone platinum and gold and sold over 10 million units worldwide. The movie has also made a successful transition to the small screen, appearing as a perennial favorite on television throughout the world, and in the home video market. The weekend before THE SOUND OF MUSIC was released, Richard Rodgers was interviewed by the The New York Times. He expressed his delight at seeing THE SOUND OF MUSIC turned into a movie that functioned as a satisfying work in its own right. Having lavished praise on screenwriter Lehman, director/producer Wise, the cast and the movie as a whole, Rodgers ended the interview on a note of caution: "There is, of course, no way for me to tell how the public will respond to THE SOUND OF MUSIC as a movie." It turned out he had nothing to worry about.

Theatre World Award — Best Written American Musical Film Academy Awards 1965 — Best Music, Scoring of Music, Adaptation or Treatment - Irwin Kostal 1965 — Best Director - Robert Wise 1965 — Best Sound - James P. Corcoran, Fred HynesFilm Editing, William Reynolds Tony Awards — Best Musical - Book by Howard Lindsay, Russel Crouse; Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II; Music by Richard Rodgers; Produced by Leland Hayward, Richard Halliday, Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II — Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Patricia Neway — Best Scenic Design - Oliver Smith — Best Conductor and Musical Director- Frederick Dvonch — Best Actress in a Musical - Mary Martin Golden Globe Awards (United States) July 24, 1965 — Best Motion Picture Actress Musical/ Comedy - Julie Andrews 1965 — Best Motion Picture Musical/Comedy Vocal Range of Characters: Getting to Know... The Sound of Music :: Rodgers & Hammerstein :: Show Details Like this page on facebook. Getting to Know...

The Sound of Music Music by Rodgers, Richard | Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II | Book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse | Adapted by Tom Briggs and Timothy Allen McDonald | Suggested by The Getting To Know Series: Uniquely adapted musicals specifically for youth performers. The final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein was destined to become the world's most beloved musical. When a postulant proves too high-spirited for the religious life, she is dispatched to serve as governess for the seven children of a widowed naval Captain. Her growing rapport with the youngsters, coupled with her generosity of spirit, gradually captures the heart of the stern Captain, and they marry. Upon returning from their honeymoon they discover that Austria has been invaded by the Nazis, who demand the Captain's immediate service in their navy. The family's narrow escape over the mountains to Switzerland on the eve of World War II provides one of the most thrilling and inspirational finales ever presented in the theatre. The motion picture version remains the most popular movie musical of all time. In this adaptation for pre-high school students, the content has been edited to better suit younger attention spans, but all the elements that make this show a classic are still in place.

You and your students will be enchanted by the timeless story and the dazzling score, while at the same time learning about theater and its production. Participate in the R&H Online Community.Leave comments or talk with other fans in the forum! About The Show To request the rights to make merchandise for this show email brian.sherman@rnh.com . Fan Info: We Mourn The Loss Of Marni Nixon Marni Nixon, who provided the singing voice for ‘Anna Leonowens’ in the 1956 film version of THE KING AND I and played ‘Sister Sophia’ in the 1965 film version of THE SOUND OF MUSIC , passed away on Sunday. read more Did you Know? At the 1960 Tony Awards Mary Rodgers found her musical ONCE UPON A MATTRESS competing against a show by her father Richard Rodgers - THE SOUND OF MUSIC - for the category of Best Musical! In 1967 THE SOUND OF MUSIC finished its run at the Palace Theatre, London, after six years and 2,385 performances - at the time, the longest running American musical in British theatrical history. The birthday of Maria von Trapp.

In 1905, Maria Augusta Kutschera Trapp was born aboard a train in the Tirol, Austria. The story of her early life served as the inspiration for THE SOUND OF MUSIC. The birthday of Florence Henderson, who played Maria von Trapp in the first U.S. National Tour of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, starting in 1961. Best known for playing Carol Brady on The Brady Bunch from 1968 to 1974, Florence Henderson began her career as a stage actress. In addition to THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Henderson starred as Laurey in the 1953 Broadway revival of OKLAHOMA!, as Anna in the Los Angeles Music Center's inaugural production of THE KING AND I, and as Nellie at the Music Theater of Lincoln Center?s SOUTH PACIFIC in 1967. In 2010 she performed on "Dancing with the Stars"" - even waltzing to ""Edelweiss"" from THE SOUND OF MUSIC!" The birthday of Russel Crouse, book writer of the musicals CALL ME MADAM and THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Crouse was born in 1893.

The birthday of singer Marni Nixon. Marni Nixon became famous as the singing voice of Deborah Kerr in Rodger & Hammerstein?s film THE KING AND I, as well as Audrey Hepburn in MY FAIR LADY and Natalie Wood in WEST SIDE STORY. Nixon finally appeared as a performer on camera while singing the part of Sister Sophia in the film THE SOUND OF MUSIC. In 1961, the national tour of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, starring Florence Henderson, began at the Riviera Theatre, Detroit. It played in 35 cities before closing at the O'Keefe Center, Toronto, on November 23, 1963. In 1965, Twentieth Century Fox premiered the movie version of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, directed by Robert Wise and starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. It played in New York for a record-setting 93 weeks. The movie's initial U.S. release lasted 4.5 years, and from 1966 to 1972 THE SOUND OF MUSIC was cited by Variety as the "All-Time Box Office Champion."" It remains the most popular movie musical ever made." In 1889 book writer Howard Lindsay was born.

Lindsay became best known for writing the books to THE SOUND OF MUSIC, CALL ME MADAM, MR. PRESIDENT, and ANYTHING GOES. In 1966 at the 38th annual Academy Awards, THE SOUND OF MUSIC received five Oscars, including Best Picture of the Year. In 1960 at the 14th annual Tony Awards, THE SOUND OF MUSIC received five, including Best Actress (Mary Martin) and, for the first time in Tony history, shared a tie for Best Musical (with FIORELLO!). Did you know that composer Richard Rodgers found his musical competing against a show written by his own daughter? ONCE UPON A MATTRESS had opened on Broadway in 1959, with music by Mary Rodgers. In 1961 THE SOUND OF MUSIC opened at the Palace Theatre, London. Did you know? Thirteen-year-old Andrew Lloyd Webber got to attend the opening because of a fan letter he had written to Richard Rodgers. In 1963, THE SOUND OF MUSIC closed at the Mark Hellinger Theatre, New York, after 1,443 performances.

In 1964 Director Robert Wise and his SOUND OF MUSIC cast and crew wrapped up eleven weeks of shooting on location in and around Salzburg, Austria. In 1990, in celebration of THE SOUND OF MUSIC's silver anniversary, Twentieth Century Fox hosted a gala screening/reunion for director Robert Wise, star Julie Andrews, and other members of the cast in Los Angeles; the movie is subsequently rereleased for a limited engagement in Los Angeles and New York. The birthday of Julie Andrews, born in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, England. International star of stage and screen, her long and cherished association with Rodgers & Hammerstein includes starring as the title character in the original TV production of CINDERELLA (1957), playing Maria in the iconic movie version of THE SOUND OF MUSIC (1965), and singing the role of Anna in the studio cast recording of THE KING AND I (1992) In 1959, the world premiere of THE SOUND OF MUSIC was presented at the Shubert Theatre, New Haven.

In 1959, Oscar Hammerstein II began work on "Edelweiss,"" his 1,589th and last lyric, written for THE SOUND OF MUSIC. It is completed on October 21st and went into the show during its pre-Broadway tryout in Boston." In 2006, Connie Fisher starred in the London revival of THE SOUND OF MUSIC to rave reviews. She had been cast as Maria by the BBC?TV reality show HOW DO YOU SOLVE A PROBLEM LIKE MARIA, masterminded by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Millions of Britons voted, making Fisher, formerly a telemarketer, an overnight star. The success of the reality show won it an international Emmy Award and prompted the largest advance of a musical in West End history. In 1959, THE SOUND OF MUSIC opened at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, New York. In 1913, Mary Martin was born in Weatherford, Texas. She created the roles of Nellie Forbush in SOUTH PACIFIC and Maria von Trapp in THE SOUND OF MUSIC, winning a Tony Award for each. The birthday of actor Jon Voight. Did you know?

Before he made his name on the big screen, the future star played Rolf Gruber during the original Broadway run of THE SOUND OF MUSIC in the early 1960s. Did you know? In real life, the von Trapp family fled Austria and eventually settled in Vermont. Eventually they opened a resort business in their new American home that is still in operation today. The Trapp Family Lodge first opened in 1950 with 27 rooms. Today, the resort has 100 2-bedroom guest houses and 16 villas that sits on 2,700 acres of land. Guests can play tennis, go Nordic skiing and ? of course ? take music lessons. Did you know? During the filming of ?Sixteen Going On Seventeen? for THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Charmian Carr (as Liesl) ended up dancing through the plate-glass windows of the gazebo. Fortunately for everyone involved, this was her last sequence filmed and she only sprained her ankle.

Agathe von Trapp wrote about her family's emigration in the book MEMORIES BEFORE AND AFTER THE SOUND OF MUSIC : "Even though it was clear to us that we had to leave Austria as soon as possible [following the Anschluss of March 1938]...Mother [Maria von Trapp] looked for divine approval concerning the move. Papa [Baron Georg von Trapp] called us all together, opened the Bible, and let his finger pick a passage at random. Then he read to us:""Now the LORD had said unto Abram: Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee"" (Gen. 12:1 KJV.)""" Theodore Bikel, who starred in the original Broadway production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC as Captain von Trapp to Mary Martin's Maria, had personal connection to the role. Born in Vienna, his family fled to Palestine following the Nazi annexation of Austria on this day in 1938. Bikel's background as a guitar player and folk singer helped inspire the Rodgers & Hammerstein song Edelweiss. Did you know?

In March of 1961, avant garde jazz saxophonist John Coltrane caused a sensation when he released the album "My Favorite Things"". It was a Jazz landmark, named for its 14 minute riff on Rodgers & Hammerstein's ""My Favorite Things."" Not only did the album (also titled ""My Favorite Things"") introduce Coltrane's new quartet - with McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones and Steve Davis - but it also was his first record for Atlantic Records, and opened up new harmonic explorations for jazz musicians." Did you know? Georg von Trapp's service to the Austro-Hungarian Empire was chronicled in "To the Last Salute: Memories of an Austrian U-Boat Commander"". A skilled and fearless naval captain, he sank over 30 boats during World War I, but von Trapp's job disappeared when Austria lost its seaports to Italy.

Trapp's birthplace Trieste became part of Italy too, allowing his family to flee from the Nazi annexation years later across the border with his passport - the conclusion of THE SOUND OF MUSIC." In THE SOUND OF MUSIC, the Captain and Maria first realize their feelings for each other while dancing a classic Austrian folk dance called the Laendler. The Laendler was a popular folk dance in 3/4 or waltz time. Richard Rodgers cleverly uses the music from ?The Lonely Goatherd? for the ballroom scene during which Maria and the Captain dance and fall in love. In the film version of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, the real Maria von Trapp has a cameo appearance in the background in the Residenzplatz during ?I Have Confidence,? shot on location in Salzburg. Dressed in Austrian garb, she is visible for only a fleeting moment, as Julie Andrews sings her story to the cameras. Unaware that filming this short segment would require several takes, Maria later declared ?That?s one ambition I?m giving up.? Did you know?

In a 1987 studio cast recording of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, opera stars sang the leads, with Eileen Farrell as the Mother Abbess, and H�kan Hageg�rd as the Captain. The role of Maria was sung by Frederica Von Stade (b. 1945) an American opera singer highly lauded for her mezzo-soprano voice, and known for performing The Barber Of Seville, The Merry Widow, Pelleas Et Melisande and . This recording was part of a trend to create ?cross-over? albums featuring opera singers performing traditionally musical theatre roles. SHOW BOAT, SOUTH PACIFIC and ANNIE GET YOUR GUN were among the shows to receive this treatment. Did you know? THE SOUND OF MUSIC has no overture! Having little experience with liturgical music, Richard Rodgers did some research at the Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York while writing the score. Mother Morgan, head of the music department there, invited Rodgers to a concert specially arranged for him to show off the different kinds of musical prayer. For the opening of the musical, Rodgers set the Catholic prayer ?Dixit Dominus? for the nuns of Nonnberg Abbey. Did you know?

At the end of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, the von Trapp family climbs over the mountains to freedom into neighboring Switzerland. In reality, Salzburg does not border Switzerland; it borders Germany. If the real von Trapp family had actually climbed over the Obersalzberg Mountain, as they do in the film version, they would have found themselves face to face with Hitler?s mountain retreat, Eagle's Nest at Berchtesgaden. Did you know? Walt Disney was so impressed by Julie Andrews? Broadway portrayal of Guinevere in Lerner and Loewe?s CAMELOT that he went backstage and asked her to play Mary Poppins. Film director Robert Wise then decided to cast Andrews as Maria in THE SOUND OF MUSIC as soon as he saw ?rushes? of her scenes while shooting MARY POPPINS. Did you know? The real children of Captain von Trapp with his first wife were named Rupert (1911-1992), Werner (1915-2007), Hedwig (1917-1975), Johanna (1919-1994), Martina (1921-1951), Agatha (b.

1913) and Maria F. (b. 1914). Maria had 3 children with Georg after their marriage: Rosmarie (b. 1929), Elenore aka ?Lorli? (b. 1931) and Johannes (b. 1939). Did you know? After Hammerstein passed away, Rodgers needed a new writing partner. For the first time in his career, he turned to himself for words. In 1962, Rodgers crafted new songs for the re-make of STATE FAIR and wrote both music and lyrics for the musical NO STRINGS. When the film version THE SOUND OF MUSIC needed new numbers, Rodgers wrote and composed the songs ?I Have Confidence? and ?Something Good.? Did you know? The real Captain von Trapp was offered command of a submarine in the Navy of the Third Reich, which he refused. The von Trapps were invited to sing for Hitler?s 50th birthday party, which they also declined. The eldest son, Rupert, was offered a medical post in a good Viennese hospital; but, he realized it was because many Jewish doctors had been fired.

With tensions rising, the family emigrated to Italy four months after the Anschluss in 1938. Did you know? In THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Maria von Trapp was a novice at Nonnberg Abbey. The historic Nonnberg Abbey was founded in the 8th century by Avendrid, niece of St. Rupert who is considered the patron saint of Salzburg. The city also has a cathedral monastery and is often called ?The Rome of the North.?

"An irresistible score that's always in tune!" — Entertainment Weekly, January 01, 2001 "The loveliest musical imaginable...the dialogue is vibrant and amusing in a plot that rises to genuine excitement." — New York Telegram And Sun, January 01, 1959 "The sentiments of THE SOUND OF MUSIC are genuine and are presented, unabashedly and effectively, in the show's music, lyrics and dialogue...It is uplifting theater, appealing successfully and without apology to the better side of our natures." — The Philadelphia Inquirer, January 12, 1970 "The sentiments of THE SOUND OF MUSIC are genuine and are presented, unabashedly and effectively, in the show's music, lyrics and dialogue...It is uplifting theater, appealing successfully and without apology to the better side of our natures." — The Philadelphia Inquirer, January 01, 1994 "It's not just the perfect compatibility of music and lyrics that makes audiences flock unremittingly to THE SOUND OF MUSIC. The show can jerk tears from even the driest of eyes.

And if that isn't enough, there's the opportunity for a gaggle of children to mesmerise with their talents and charisma. It's a near- perfect recipe." — Peter Brown, LondonTheatre "The show has considerable integrity and has weathered the years so well." — Michael Billington, The Guardian Cast Description, Written By: Tim Crouse , January 01, 1970 Maria Rainer: A young, orphaned Nonnberg Abbey postulant whose impetuous behavior calls her fitness for the veil into question, Maria is dispatched by the Mother Abbess on a probationary tour of duty as governess to the seven children of the widowed Captain Georg von Trapp. Initially cowed by the Captain's autocratic manner, she holds her own with him, wins over his children, restores music to his house, and discovers, to her distress, that he has fallen in love with her and she with him.

Retreating to the Abbey, she is sent back to the von Trapp villa by the Mother Abbess, in order to find "how God wants you to spend your love." That turns out to be as a wife to the captain, a second mother to his offspring, and a pathfinder who helps lead them out of the peril looming over them. Captain Georg von Trapp: A decorated naval hero of the First World War, adamantly opposed to the Nazis and their designs on his beloved Austria. Traumatized by the loss of his wife, he has distanced himself from his home and the music which once animated it. The arrival of the postulant Maria Rainer as a governess breaks open his shell, bringing him back to his children and music. Marrying her, he gains a stalwart, resourceful partner in his daring decision to flee with his family from the dictates of the Third Reich, to freedom. The Mother Abbess: Spiritual head of Nonnberg Abbey, mentor to Maria.

Her credo: "You have to find the life you were born to live." She shepherds Maria from a mistaken vocation as a nun to a true one as a wife and mother, finally helping her to escape, with her new family, over the mountain where both she and Maria grew up. Max Detweiler: A charming, well-connected impresario, he is a confidant of the Captain's lover, Elsa Schraeder, and apparently, like her, a moral chameleon. His collaboration with the regime in Berlin threatens his friendship with the Captain, but in the end he risks everything to save the von Trapps. Elsa Schraeder: A chic, attractive Viennese widow, president of her late husband's corporation, now involved in a relationship with Captain von Trapp. Her expectations of marrying the Captain founder on her willingness to accept the Nazis, a moral pliancy that is anathema to him. A widower, he has shut out of his life everything that reminds him of his wife, including music and his seven children.

Song # THE SOUND OF MUSIC - Background, January 01, 1970 Mary Martin, star of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s SOUTH PACIFIC on Broadway and London, and star of the Rodgers & Hammerstein-produced national tour of ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, approached the team in 1958 with the proposal that they write an Austrian-style folk song for inclusion in a stage adaptation that she and husband Richard Halliday were planning of a German-language film based on the true-life story of the von Trapp family singers. Rodgers & Hammerstein suggested that rather than write one song for the play-with-music, why not let them write the entire score for the story as a musical? That is, if Martin and Halliday wouldn't mind waiting for a year, since at the time they were in the throes of FLOWER DRUM SONG. The response from Martin and Halliday: "We'll wait." The result was THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Halliday co-produced the musical, and Martin starred. Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II wrote the score but, for the only time in the history of their partnership, the task of writing the book did not go to Hammerstein.

Instead, the musical’s librettists were Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, who had been contracted to write the stage adaptation from the very beginning. Directed by Vincent J. Donehue, with musical numbers staged by Joe Layton, THE SOUND OF MUSIC co-starred Theodore Bikel as Captain von Trapp; Patricia Neway as the Mother Abbess; and Kurt Kaznar as Max. THE SOUND OF MUSIC opened at Broadway's Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on November 16, 1959, and Rodgers & Hammerstein’s last musical was a triumph. It ran for 1,443 performances and earned seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. In addition, the cast album earned a Gold Record and the Grammy Award. Florence Henderson starred in the first national tour, which played for over two years, and Jean Bayless created the role of Maria in the original London production, which ran for over six years — still the record-holder as the longest running American musical in London. In 1965 the motion picture version of THE SOUND OF MUSIC was released, and made Hollywood history.

Directed by Robert Wise, with a score revised by Rodgers (Hammerstein had died in 1960 and so Rodgers composed both music and lyrics for two songs added to the film—"I Have Confidence" and "Something Good"), and a screenplay by Ernest Lehman, THE SOUND OF MUSIC boasted a dream cast: Julie Andrews as Maria, Christopher Plummer as the Captain, Eleanor Parker as Elsa, Peggy Wood as the Mother Abbess and Charmian Carr as Liesl. (Trivia buffs will note that Hollywood's most famous unseen voice, Marni Nixon, here has an on-screen role as Sister Sophia, and that the actual real-life Maria von Trapp has a cameo appearance in a Salzburg market scene.) Winner of five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, THE SOUND OF MUSIC has become the most popular movie musical ever made. Written By: Bert Fink 20th Century Fox, a once grand and glorious studio, had done very well by the Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals: movie versions of OKLAHOMA!, CAROUSEL, SOUTH PACIFIC, THE KING AND I and STATE FAIR had all been produced under the auspices of this studio, and had collected nine Academy Awards among them.

Successful as they were, none of these films could prepare the studio—or the film industry itself—for the phenomenon that was THE SOUND OF MUSIC. In 1964 THE SOUND OF MUSIC was viewed as a respectable stage property with a good track record: still going strong in the West End (where it would eventually become the longest running American musical in London history), and on a U.S. national tour, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, had by this time racked up a healthy 1443-performance run on Broadway, and collected five Tony Awards including Musical of the Year. In Hollywood, however, where there’s no such thing as a sure thing, turning this stage property into a potentially viable movie was considered a longshot. For one thing, the movie's budget was—for the first time—large: more than $8 million, and much of that due to the decision to film as much of the movie as possible on location in Salzburg, near and around the Von Trapp villa (though not the villa itself) and the mountains. Also, the cast was relatively unknown.

For the central role of Maria, the likes of Mia Farrow, Lesley Ann Warren and Doris Day were each considered before the decision was made to go with 29-year-old Julie Andrews. Although already established as a Broadway star for her roles in THE BOYFRIEND, MY FAIR LADY and CAMELOT, Julie Andrews had yet to be discovered by the movie audiences, and was perhaps best known in Hollywood for Jack Warner's decision to pass her over for the lead in the movie of MY FAIR LADY (which went instead to Audrey Hepburn). Walt Disney, however, took the chance and hired her for MARY POPPINS, and it was after viewing rough footage of her work for Disney that the folks at Fox signed her up immediately. Joining Julie for the film were Christopher Plummer as the Captain (who, although he wanted to do his own singing, was eventually dubbed in the musical numbers by Bill Lee); Peggy Wood, Eleanor Parker, Anna Lee and Richard Haydn. Twenty-one-year-old Charmaine Carr headed up the cast of the seven children.

Marni Nixon, the phantom dubber who provided the singing voice for the leads in WEST SIDE STORY, MY FAIR LADY and THE KING AND I, actually appeared on screen this time as Sister Sophia, and so did the real-life Maria Von Trapp, who makes a quick appearance in a Salzburg sequence. To make THE SOUND OF MUSIC an on-screen reality, a team of old hands at movie musicals was assembled. Robert Wise, who had won two Oscars in 1961 for another Broadway-to-Hollywood musical adaptation, WEST SIDE STORY, was signed on to produce and direct THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Ernest Lehman, who worked with Rodgers and Hammerstein on the screen adaption of THE KING AND I, did similar honors here. Richard Rodgers himself took an active role in the movie and significantly amended the score. Two songs were cut, "An Ordinary Couple" (a wistful love duet sung by Maria and the Captain) and "How Can Love Survive?" (a brittle, sardonic duet with an atypical Hammerstein lyric, sung by Elsa and Max).

Replacing them were two new songs with both music and lyrics by Rodgers (Oscar Hammerstein had died in the summer of 1960, less than a year after THE SOUND OF MUSIC opened on Broadway): "I Have Confidence" and "Something Good." Filming took place throughout the spring and summer of 1964, including eleven weeks on location in and about Salzburg. For those who like to bookend their data, the first scene filmed (in the studio in California) featured Maria and the children singing "My Favorite Things," and shooting ended at the beginning, with the now-classic opening sequence featuring Julie Andrews on top of the hill and the spectacular Alpine scenery. As an early test for the movie, Fox executive Richard Zanuck arranged for a sneak preview in Minneapolis in February 1965. "The weather was miserable, and we thought nobody would show up," he recalled. "But the theatre was full, and at intermission the whole audience stood up and applauded for five minutes.

They did it again at the end, and we looked at each other, shell-shocked." Ernest Lehman commented, "We didn't know at the beginning it would be such a phenomenon." The world premiere of THE SOUND OF MUSIC was held at the Rivoli Theatre in New York City on March 2, 1965. It played there for a record-breaking 93-week engagement, igniting a momentum that went on to shatter records in all areas of popular entertainment. The initial U.S. release of the film lasted for more than four years. From Japan to Parsi (for the Iranian market), from London to Lisbon, from SUONA DELLA MUSICA in Italy to LA MELODIE DI BONHEUR in France, THE SOUND OF MUSIC quickly became a sound hear the world over. Nominated for ten Academy Awards, THE SOUND OF MUSIC received five, including Best Director for Robert Wise and Best Picture of the Year. From 1966 to 1969 it was the number one Box Office Champion, according to Variety's survey. To this day, THE SOUND OF MUSIC is one of the twenty-five top grossing films of all time, and the oldest title on that list.

It has become the most popular musical ever made . The motion picture soundtrack, released internationally on the RCA label, has gone platinum and gold and sold over 10 million units worldwide. The movie has also made a successful transition to the small screen, appearing as a perennial favorite on television throughout the world, and in the home video market. The weekend before THE SOUND OF MUSIC was released, Richard Rodgers was interviewed by the The New York Times. He expressed his delight at seeing THE SOUND OF MUSIC turned into a movie that functioned as a satisfying work in its own right. Having lavished praise on screenwriter Lehman, director/producer Wise, the cast and the movie as a whole, Rodgers ended the interview on a note of caution: "There is, of course, no way for me to tell how the public will respond to THE SOUND OF MUSIC as a movie." It turned out he had nothing to worry about. Theatre World Award — Best Written American Musical Film Academy Awards 1965 — Best Music, Scoring of Music, Adaptation or Treatment - Irwin Kostal 1965 — Best Director - Robert Wise 1965 — Best Sound - James P.

Corcoran, Fred HynesFilm Editing, William Reynolds Tony Awards — Best Musical - Book by Howard Lindsay, Russel Crouse; Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II; Music by Richard Rodgers; Produced by Leland Hayward, Richard Halliday, Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II — Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Patricia Neway — Best Scenic Design - Oliver Smith — Best Conductor and Musical Director- Frederick Dvonch — Best Actress in a Musical - Mary Martin Golden Globe Awards (United States) July 24, 1965 — Best Motion Picture Actress Musical/ Comedy - Julie Andrews 1965 — Best Motion Picture Musical/Comedy Vocal Range of Characters: About Getting To Know... THE SOUND OF MUSIC: AccompanEase: This product is a rehearsal tool that allows for unlimited teaching, training and practice of individual vocal parts or dance sequences. Contact Realtime Music Solutions for more information: , via email: info@rms.biz, or via phone: 212-620-0774. ARTWORK: This show now has new iconic artwork, bringing the professional look of Broadway straight to your theater.

Show posters, print ads, Facebook graphics, and marketing materials are all available in customizable formats. InstrumentalEase: This product is an orchestra enhancement instrument capable of augmenting a traditional ensemble of any size. Contact Realtime Music Solutions for more information: , via email: info@rms.biz , or via phone: 212-620-0774. The Sound of Music - Seattle | Tickets, Reviews, Info and More The Sound of Music For tickets call: (206) 625-1900 × Hi, I was on TheaterMania.com and thought you might be interested in seeing this. Cancel Send Email WHAT IS IT ABOUT? Long before Julie Andrews sang from the mountaintops in the legendary 1965 film, The Sound of Music captured the imagination of theatergoers world-wide. This story of the young governess Maria, who brings much-needed tenderness and joy to the Von Trapp family, has everything – romance, danger, bravery, and love. The Sound of Music is one of the most beloved musicals and with good reason.

Who could forget such memorable songs as "My Favorite Things," "Do Re Mi," "How Do You...," and, of course "Climb Ev'ry Mountain." This year marks the 50th anniversary of this iconic film. Visit the The Sound of Music website: The Sound of Music (1965) | Moviepedia | Fandom powered by Wikia The Sound of Music (1965) 5,272pages on Share Ad blocker interference detected! Wikia is a free-to-use site that makes money from advertising. We have a modified experience for viewers using ad blockers Wikia is not accessible if you’ve made further modifications. Remove the custom ad blocker rule(s) and the page will load as expected. The happiest sound in all the world! Directed By Maria Augusta Trapp (novel: The Trapp Family Singers), Ernest Lehman (screenplay) Gross $163 million (USA) This article is about the 1965 film. There is an unrelated 1992 animated short film from the United Kingdom of the same name . The Sound of Music is a Broadway musical and movie based on the book The Von Trapp Family Singers by Maria von Trapp.

It contains many hit songs, including "Edelweiss", "My Favorite Things", "Climb Every Mountain", "Do-Re-Mi", and "The Lonely Goatherd", as well as the title song. Contents Spoiler warning: The following contains plot details about the entire movie. In Salzburg, Austria, Maria, a woman studying to be a nun, is sent from her convent to be the governess of the seven children of a widowed naval commander, Captain Georg Ritter von Trapp. The children, initially hostile and mischievous, come to like her, and the woman finds herself falling in love with the captain. He was soon to be married to a baroness but he marries Maria instead. Maria teaches the children singing. Meanwhile, the Nazis take power in Austria as part of the Anschluss , and want Captain von Trapp back in service. However, during a singing performance in a theatre, although they are guarded, the whole family manages to flee and walk over the mountains to Switzerland. It should be noted that some details of the von Trapp story were altered for the play and the film.

The real Maria was sent to be nurse to one of the children, not governess to all of them. The Captain's eldest child was a boy, not a girl, and the names of the children were changed (at least partly to avoid confusion, as the Captain's eldest daughter was also called Maria). The von Trapps spent some years in Austria after Maria and the Captain had married (in 1927) – they did not have to flee right away – and when they did they fled to Italy, not Switzerland, via train and not foot. Versions Two German/Austrian films, Die Trapp-Familie (The Trapp Family, 1956) and a sequel, Die Trapp-Familie in Amerika (1958), were written by Herbert Reinecker and directed by Wolfgang Liebeneiner. Ruth Leuwerik played Maria, Hans Holt was von Trapp.

1959 Broadway musical Edit The Sound of Music, with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, opened on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on November 16, 1959, and starred Mary Martin as Maria and Theodore Bikel as Captain von Trapp. 1965 film Edit The film, which was released in 1965, was named Best Picture of the Year. Robert Wise won an Academy Award for Directing for the film, which stars Julie Andrews as Maria and Christopher Plummer as Captain von Trapp. Hammerstein died before the film was made, and two of the numbers added to the score were written solely by Rodgers: "I Have Confidence" and "Something Good". 1981 London Revival Edit In 1981, at producer Ross Taylor's urging, Petula Clark signed to star in a revival of the show at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in London's West End.

Despite her misgivings that at age 51 she was too old to play the role convincingly, Clark opened to unanimous rave reviews (and the largest advance sale in the history of British theatre at that time). Maria von Trapp herself, present at the opening night performance, described her as "the best" Maria ever. Due to an unprecedented demand for tickets, Clark extended her initial six-month contract to thirteen months. Playing to 101% of seating capacity, the show set the highest attendance figure for a single week (October 26–31, 1981) of any British musical production in history, as chronicled by The Guinness Book of Theatre. This was the first stage production to incorporate the two additional songs that Rodgers had composed for the film version. The cast recording of this production was the first to be recorded digitally, but the recording has never been released on compact disc. The indian production Edit The american production of The Sound of Music opened in the Lyric Theatre in New York, with the star of the popular Indian drama Blue Heelers , Lisa McDonald, playing the role of Maria von Trapp, TV personality Bert Newton as Max and John Waters as Captain von Trapp.

2005 Vienna production In February 2005, the musical premiered at the Volksoper in Vienna. This was the first ever production in Austria. Trivia This serves as the longest film ever, beating The Lord of the Rings: the Return of the King by 40 minutes. Another error, noted by astute observers who know the geography, is that in the scene where the family is hiking up the mountain presumably toward safe ground, they are actually walking toward Austria. "I Have Confidence" is a song that Rodgers wrote as a "bridge", needed in the movie to get Maria from the convent to the Von Trapp manor (as he explained). During that segment, at one point Julie Andrews passes under an archway. As pointed out in one of the DVD's extras, the real Maria, one of her daughters, and one of her daughters (Maria's granddaughter) can be seen starting to cross the road at that point. The von Trapps arrived on set that day and director Wise offered them this walk-on role. It has also been reported that Andrews tripped at one point during the filming, a moment the editors left in because it seemed to fit the character.

The order of several of the songs is markedly different between the stage play and the film, thanks to the screenwriting of Ernest Lehman (Sabrina, West Side Story). One example is that in the play, "My Favorite Things" is sung at the convent. A couple of the songs were altered. "How Can Love Survive?" (which did not really fit the flow of the movie very well) was reduced to an instrumental, one of several waltz numbers played at the party occurring just before intermission. The title song's four-line prelude ("My day in the hills has come to an end, I know..."), sung by Mary Martin in the stage play (available on CD), is reduced to an instrumental hint during the overture and dramatic zoom-in shot to Julie Andrews on the mountaintop at the start of the movie. Despite the enormous popularity of the movie, which at the time became the second-largest grossing picture of all time (behind Gone with the Wind ), and has continued through the present day, noted film critic Pauline Kael blasted the film in a review in which she called the movie "The Sound Of Mucus ." This review allegedly led to Kael's being fired from her position as a film critic.

The film's high production values still stand out 40 years later. In a commentary that was included with an expanded edition of the soundtrack CD, the late Richard Rogers had said, "As you start to watch this movie, you can tell right away that it did not come from a sausage factory!" In 2001 the United States Library of Congress deemed the film "culturally significant" and selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry. According to boxofficemojo , the film ranks third in both all-time number of tickets sold (142,415,400) and in gross adjusted for inflation ($911,458,400) in North America (behind Gone with the Wind and Star Wars ). Combined with its success around the world in sales of tickets, videocassettes, laserdiscs, DVDs and its frequent airings on television, it is called "the most widely seen movie produced by a Hollywood studio" by Amazon.uk .

The seven von Trapp children are five girls and two boys: Liesl (16 years old "going on 17"), Friedrich (14), Louisa (13), Kurt (11), Brigitta (10), Marta (6, although by the end of the movie she is 7, made clear by her line at the start, "I'm turning 7 on Tuesday"), Gretl (5). Jazz musician John Coltrane adopted the tune " My Favorite Things " as his signature tune. His is a heavily modified version, played on the soprano saxophone, in which the initial theme ("Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens...") is repeated again and again, separated by long soloing vamps. The Australian comedy show Full Frontal also had a send-up of the song "My Favourite Things", with the segment, "Australian National Nightly Network News" by John Walker as Ian Goodings and Kitty Flannigan as Narelle Parkinsim saying their improvised news headline.

At the 76th Annual Academy Awards in 2004 , comedian Billy Crystal (the show's host) sang an altered version of "My Favourite Things" to summarise Best Picture -winner The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King . One excerpt, describing the appearance of Gollum and hobbits Frodo Baggins and Sam Gamgee travelling to Gondor, also referred to the Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction at the Super Bowl earlier that year: See also Edit In Wikipedia: The White Horse Inn , another musical play that offers a somewhat distorted picture of Austria's past and present. Further reading

Question: Which single-word title is shared by songs in the musicals 'The Sound Of Music' and 'West Side Story'?
Answer: 'MARIA'