The Sound of Music

Last updated

The Sound of Music
Musical1959-SoundOfMusic-OriginalPoster.png
Original Broadway poster (1959)
Music Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Oscar Hammerstein II
Book Howard Lindsay
Russel Crouse
Basis Maria von Trapp's autobiography The Story of the Trapp Family Singers
Productions
Awards Tony Award for Best Musical

The Sound of Music is a musical with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. It is based on the 1949 memoir of Maria von Trapp, The Story of the Trapp Family Singers . Set in Austria on the eve of the Anschluss in 1938, the musical tells the story of Maria, who takes a job as governess to a large family while she decides whether to become a nun. She falls in love with the children, and eventually their widowed father, Captain von Trapp. He is ordered to accept a commission in the German navy, but he opposes the Nazis. He and Maria decide on a plan to flee Austria with the children. Many songs from the musical have become standards, including "Do-Re-Mi", "My Favorite Things", "Edelweiss", "Climb Ev'ry Mountain", and the title song "The Sound of Music".

Contents

The original Broadway production, starring Mary Martin and Theodore Bikel, opened in 1959 [1] and won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, out of nine nominations. The first London production opened at the Palace Theatre in 1961. The show has enjoyed numerous productions and revivals since then. It was adapted as a 1965 film musical starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, which won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The Sound of Music was the last musical written by Rodgers and Hammerstein, as Oscar Hammerstein died of stomach cancer nine months after the Broadway premiere.

History

After viewing The Trapp Family , a 1956 West German film about the von Trapp family, and its 1958 sequel ( The Trapp Family in America ), stage director Vincent J. Donehue thought that the project would be perfect for his friend Mary Martin; Broadway producers Leland Hayward and Richard Halliday (Martin's husband) agreed. [2] The producers originally envisioned a non-musical play that would be written by Lindsay and Crouse and that would feature songs from the repertoire of the Trapp Family Singers. Then they decided to add an original song or two, perhaps by Rodgers and Hammerstein. But it was soon agreed that the project should feature all new songs and be a musical rather than a play. [3]

Details of the history of the von Trapp family were altered for the musical. The real Georg von Trapp did live with his family in a villa in Aigen, a suburb of Salzburg. He wrote to the Nonnberg Abbey in 1926 asking for a nun to help tutor his sick daughter, and the Mother Abbess sent Maria. His wife, Agathe Whitehead, had died in 1922. The real Maria and Georg married at the Nonnberg Abbey in 1927. Lindsay and Crouse altered the story so that Maria was governess to all of the children, whose names and ages were changed, as was Maria's original surname (the show used "Rainer" instead of "Kutschera"). The von Trapps spent some years in Austria after Maria and the Captain married and he was offered a commission in Germany's navy. Since von Trapp opposed the Nazis by that time, the family left Austria after the Anschluss , going by train to Italy and then traveling on to London and the United States. [4] To make the story more dramatic, Lindsay and Crouse had the family, soon after Maria's and the Captain's wedding, escape over the mountains to Switzerland on foot.

Synopsis

Act I

In Salzburg, Austria, just before World War II, nuns from Nonnberg Abbey sing the Dixit Dominus . One of the postulants, Maria Rainer, is on the nearby mountainside, regretting leaving the beautiful hills ("The Sound of Music"). She returns late to the abbey where the Mother Abbess and the other nuns have been considering what to do about the free-spirit ("Maria"). Maria explains her lateness, saying she was raised on that mountain, and apologizes for singing in the garden without permission. The Mother Abbess joins her in song ("My Favorite Things"). The Mother Abbess tells her that she should spend some time outside the abbey to decide whether she is suited for the monastic life. She will act as the governess to the seven children of a widower, Austro-Hungarian Navy submarine Captain Georg von Trapp.

Maria arrives at the villa of Captain von Trapp. He explains her duties and summons the children with a boatswain's call. They march in, clad in uniforms. He teaches her their individual signals on the call, but she openly disapproves of this militaristic approach. Alone with them, she breaks through their wariness and teaches them the basics of music ("Do-Re-Mi").

Rolf, a young messenger, delivers a telegram and then meets with the eldest child, Liesl, outside the villa. He claims he knows what is right for her because he is a year older than she ("Sixteen Going on Seventeen"). They kiss, and he runs off, leaving her squealing with joy. Meanwhile, the housekeeper, Frau Schmidt, gives Maria material to make new clothes, as Maria had given all her possessions to the poor. Maria sees Liesl slipping in through the window, wet from a sudden thunderstorm, but agrees to keep her secret. The other children are frightened by the storm. Maria sings "The Lonely Goatherd" to distract them.

Captain von Trapp arrives a month later from Vienna with Baroness Elsa Schrader and Max Detweiler. Elsa tells Max that something is preventing the Captain from marrying her. He opines that only poor people have the time for great romances ("How Can Love Survive"). Rolf enters, looking for Liesl, and greets them with "Heil". The Captain orders him away, saying that he is Austrian, not German. Maria and the children leapfrog in, wearing play-clothes that she made from the old drapes in her room. Infuriated, the Captain sends them off to change. She tells him that the children need him to show his love for them, and he angrily orders her back to the abbey. As she apologizes, they hear the children singing "The Sound of Music", which she had taught them, to welcome Elsa Schrader. He joins in and embraces them. Alone with Maria, he asks her to stay, thanking her for bringing music back into his house. Elsa is suspicious of her until she explains that she will be returning to the abbey in September.

The Captain gives a party to introduce Elsa, and guests argue over the Anschluss (the Nazi German annexation of Austria). Kurt asks Maria to teach him to dance the Ländler. When he fails to negotiate a complicated figure, the Captain steps in to demonstrate. He and Maria dance until they come face-to-face; and she breaks away, embarrassed and confused. Discussing the expected marriage between Elsa and the Captain, Brigitta tells Maria that she thinks Maria and the Captain are really in love with each other. Elsa asks the Captain to allow the children to say goodnight to the guests with a song, "So Long, Farewell". Max is amazed at their talent and wants them for the Kaltzberg Festival, which he is organizing. The guests leave for the dining room, and Maria slips out the front door with her luggage.

At the abbey, Maria says that she is ready to take her monastic vows; but the Mother Abbess realizes that she is running away from her feelings. She tells her to face the Captain and discover if they love each other, and tells her to search for and find the life she was meant to live ("Climb Ev'ry Mountain").

Act II

Max teaches the children how to sing on stage. When the Captain tries to lead them, they complain that he is not doing it as Maria did. He tells them that he has asked Elsa to marry him. They try to cheer themselves up by singing "My Favorite Things" but are unsuccessful until they hear Maria singing on her way to rejoin them. Learning of the wedding plans, she decides to stay only until the Captain can arrange for another governess. Max and Elsa argue with the Captain about the imminent Anschluss, trying to convince him that it is inevitable ("No Way to Stop It"). When he refuses to compromise on his opposition to it, Elsa breaks off the engagement. Alone, the Captain and Maria finally admit their love, desiring only to be "An Ordinary Couple". As they marry, the nuns reprise "Maria" against the wedding processional.

While Maria and the Captain are on their honeymoon, Max prepares the children to perform at the Salzburg Festival. Herr Zeller, the Gauleiter of the region, demands to know why they are not flying the Flag of Nazi Germany now that the Anschluss has occurred. The Captain and Maria return early from their honeymoon before the Festival. In view of the Nazi German occupation, the Captain decides the children should not sing at the event. Max argues that they would sing for Austria, but the Captain points out that it no longer exists. Maria and Liesl discuss romantic love; Maria predicts that in a few years Liesl will be married ("Sixteen Going on Seventeen (Reprise)"). Rolf enters with a telegram that offers the Captain a commission in the German Navy, and Liesl is upset to discover that Rolf is now a committed Nazi. The Captain consults Maria and decides that they must secretly flee Austria. German Admiral von Schreiber arrives to find out why Captain von Trapp has not answered the telegram. He explains that the German Navy holds him in high regard, offers him the commission, and tells him to report immediately to Bremerhaven to assume command. Maria says that he cannot leave immediately, as they are all singing in the Festival concert; and the Admiral agrees to wait.

At the concert, after the von Trapps sing an elaborate reprise of "Do-Re-Mi", Max brings out the Captain's guitar. Captain von Trapp sings "Edelweiss", as a goodbye to his homeland, while using Austria's national flower as a symbol to declare his loyalty to the country. Max asks for an encore and announces that this is the von Trapp family's last chance to sing together, as the honor guard waits to escort the Captain to his new command. While the judges decide on the prizes, the von Trapps sing "So Long, Farewell" (reprise), leaving the stage in small groups. Max then announces the runners-up, stalling as much as possible. When he announces that the first prize goes to the von Trapps and they do not appear, the Nazis start a search. The family hides at the Abbey, and Sister Margaretta tells them that the borders have been closed. Rolf comes upon them and calls his lieutenant, but after seeing Liesl he changes his mind and tells him they aren't there. The Nazis leave, and the von Trapps flee over the Alps as the nuns reprise "Climb Ev'ry Mountain".

Musical numbers

Notes

Characters and casts

Characters

Original casts

CharacterOriginal Broadway castOriginal West End cast1st West End revival1st Broadway revival2nd West End revival
19591961198119982006
Maria Rainer Mary Martin Jean Bayless Petula Clark Rebecca Luker Connie Fisher
Captain Georg von Trapp Theodore Bikel Roger Dann Michael Jayston Michael Siberry Alexander Hanson
The Mother Abbess Patricia Neway Constance Shacklock June Bronhill Patti Cohenour Lesley Garrett
Baroness Elsa Schraeder Marion Marlowe Eunice Gayson Honor Blackman Jan Maxwell Lauren Ward
Max Detweiler Kurt Kasznar Harold Kasket John Bennett Fred Applegate Ian Gelder
Liesl von Trapp Lauri Peters Barbara BrownClaire ParkerSara Zelle Sophie Bould
Rolf GruberBrian DaviesNicholas BennettPaul Shearstone Dashiell Eaves Neil McDermott

Notable replacements

Broadway (1959–63)
Broadway (1998–99)
West End (2006–09)

Productions

Original productions

Mary Martin and children in a publicity photo, 1959 Mary Martin in The Sound of Music by Toni Frissell.jpg
Mary Martin and children in a publicity photo, 1959

The Sound of Music premiered at New Haven's Shubert Theatre where it played an eight-performance tryout in October and November 1959 before another short tryout in Boston. [9] The musical then opened on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on November 16, 1959, moved to the Mark Hellinger Theatre on November 6, 1962, and closed on June 15, 1963, after 1,443 performances. The director was Vincent J. Donehue, and the choreographer was Joe Layton. The original cast included Mary Martin as Maria, Theodore Bikel as Captain Georg von Trapp, Patricia Neway as Mother Abbess, Kurt Kasznar as Max Detweiler, Marion Marlowe as Elsa Schrader, Brian Davies as Rolf, Lauri Peters as Liesl and Muriel O'Malley as Sister Margaretta. Patricia Brooks, June Card and Tatiana Troyanos were ensemble members in the original production. The show tied for the Tony Award for Best Musical with Fiorello! . Other awards included Martin for Best Actress in a Musical, Neway for Best Featured Actress, Best Scenic Design (Oliver Smith) and Best Conductor And Musical Director (Frederick Dvonch). Bikel and Kasznar were nominated for acting awards, and Donehue was nominated for his direction. The entire children's cast was nominated for Best Featured Actress category as a single nominee, even though two of the children were boys. [10]

Martha Wright replaced Martin in the role of Maria on Broadway in October 1961, followed by Karen Gantz in July 1962, Jeannie Carson in August 1962 [11] and Nancy Dussault in September 1962. Jon Voight, who later married co-star Lauri Peters, was a replacement for Rolf from September 1961 to June 1962. [12] The national tour starred Florence Henderson as Maria and Beatrice Krebs as Mother Abbess. It opened at the Grand Riviera Theater, Detroit, on February 27, 1961, and closed November 23, 1963, at the O'Keefe Centre, Toronto. Henderson was succeeded by Barbara Meister in June 1962. Theodore Bikel was not satisfied playing the role of the Captain, and Bikel did not like to play the same role over and over again. In his autobiography, he writes: "I promised myself then that if I could afford it, I would never do a run as long as that again." [13] The original Broadway cast album sold three million copies.

The musical premiered in London's West End at the Palace Theatre on May 18, 1961, and ran for 2,385 performances. It was directed by Jerome Whyte and used the original New York choreography, supervised by Joe Layton, and the original sets designed by Oliver Smith. The cast included Jean Bayless as Maria, followed by Sonia Rees, Roger Dann as Captain von Trapp, Constance Shacklock as Mother Abbess, Eunice Gayson as Elsa Schrader, Harold Kasket as Max Detweiler, Barbara Brown as Liesl, Nicholas Bennett as Rolf and Olive Gilbert as Sister Margaretta. [14] [15]

1981 London revival

In 1981, at producer Ross Taylor's urging, Petula Clark agreed to star in a revival of the show at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in London's West End. Michael Jayston played Captain von Trapp, Honor Blackman was the Baroness and June Bronhill played the Mother Abbess. Other notable cast members included Helen Anker, John Bennett and Martina Grant. [16] Despite her misgivings that, at age 49, 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, who attended the opening night performance, described Clark as "the best" Maria ever. Clark extended her initial six-month contract to thirteen months. Playing to 101 percent 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 recorded in The Guinness Book of Theatre). [17] [18] It was the first stage production to incorporate the two additional songs ("Something Good" and "I Have Confidence") that Richard Rodgers composed for the film version. [19] "My Favorite Things" had a similar context to the film version, while the short verse "A Bell is No Bell" was extended into a full-length song for Maria and the Mother Abbess. "The Lonely Goatherd" was set in a new scene at a village fair.

The cast recording of this production was the first to be recorded digitally. It was released on CD for the first time in 2010 by the UK label Pet Sounds and included two bonus tracks from the original single issued by Epic to promote the production.

1998 Broadway revival

Director Susan H. Schulman staged the first Broadway revival of The Sound of Music, with Rebecca Luker as Maria and Michael Siberry as Captain von Trapp. It also featured Patti Cohenour as Mother Abbess, Jan Maxwell as Elsa Schrader, Fred Applegate as Max Detweiler, Dashiell Eaves as Rolf, Patricia Conolly as Frau Schmidt and Laura Benanti, in her Broadway debut, as Luker's understudy. Later, Luker and Siberry were replaced by Richard Chamberlain as the Captain and Benanti as Maria. Lou Taylor Pucci made his Broadway debut as the understudy for Kurt von Trapp. The production opened on March 12, 1998, at the Martin Beck Theatre, and closed on June 20, 1999, after 533 performances. This production was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. [20] It then toured in North America.

2006 London revival

The Sound of Music showing at the London Palladium in 2009 The Sound of Music - geograph.org.uk - 1129470.jpg
The Sound of Music showing at the London Palladium in 2009

An Andrew Lloyd Webber production opened on November 15, 2006, at the London Palladium, produced by Live Nation's David Ian and Jeremy Sams. Following failed negotiations with Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson, [21] the role of Maria was cast through a UK talent search reality TV show called How Do You Solve a Problem like Maria? The talent show was produced by (and featured) Andrew Lloyd Webber and also featured presenter/comedian Graham Norton and a judging panel of David Ian, John Barrowman and Zoe Tyler.

Connie Fisher was selected by public voting as the winner of the show. In early 2007, Fisher suffered from a heavy cold that prevented her from performing for two weeks. To prevent further disruptions, an alternate Maria, Aoife Mulholland, a fellow contestant on How Do You Solve a Problem like Maria?, played Maria on Monday evenings and Wednesday matinee performances. Simon Shepherd was originally cast as Captain von Trapp, but after two preview performances he was withdrawn from the production, and Alexander Hanson moved into the role in time for the official opening date along with Lesley Garrett as the Mother Abbess. After Garrett left, Margaret Preece took the role. The cast also featured Lauren Ward as the Baroness, Ian Gelder as Max, Sophie Bould as Liesl, and Neil McDermott as Rolf. Other notable replacements included Simon Burke and Simon MacCorkindale as the Captain and newcomer Amy Lennox as Liesl. Summer Strallen replaced Fisher in February 2008, [22] with Mulholland portraying Maria on Monday evenings and Wednesday matinees. [23]

The revival received enthusiastic reviews, especially for Fisher, Preece, Bould and Garrett. A cast recording of the London Palladium cast was released. [24] The production closed on February 21, 2009, after a run of over two years [25] and was followed by a UK national tour, described below.

Other notable productions

1960s to 2000

The first Australian production opened at Melbourne's Princess Theatre in 1961 and ran for three years. The production was directed by Charles Hickman, with musical numbers staged by Ernest Parham. The cast included June Bronhill as Maria, Peter Graves as Captain von Trapp and Rosina Raisbeck as Mother Abbess. A touring company then played for years, with Vanessa Lee (Graves' wife) in the role of Maria. The cast recording made in 1961 was the first time a major overseas production featuring Australian artists was transferred to disc. [26] [27]

In 1988, the Moon Troupe of Takarazuka Revue performed the musical at the Bow Hall (Takarazuka, Hyōgo). Harukaze Hitomi and Gou Mayuka starred. [28] A 1990 New York City Opera production, directed by Oscar Hammerstein II's son, James, featured Debby Boone as Maria, Laurence Guittard as Captain von Trapp, and Werner Klemperer as Max. [29]

An Australian revival played in the Lyric Theatre, Sydney, New South Wales, from November 1999 to February 2000. Lisa McCune played Maria, John Waters was Captain von Trapp, Bert Newton was Max, Eilene Hannan was Mother Abbess and Rachel Marley was Marta. This production was based on the 1998 Broadway revival staging. [30] The production then toured until February 2001, in Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. Rachael Beck took over as Maria in Perth and Adelaide, and Rob Guest took over as Captain von Trapp in Perth. [31] [32] [33] [34]

21st century

An Austrian production premiered in 2005 at the Volksoper Wien in German. It was directed and choreographed by Renaud Doucet. The cast included Sandra Pires as Maria, Kurt Schreibmayer and Michael Kraus as von Trapp, with Heidi Brunner as Mother Abbess. The song "Do-Re-Mi" was rewritten as "C wie Cellophanpapier", replacing the solfège syllables with the German letter notation C through H and selecting mnemonics that begin with each letter. [35] The production is still in the repertoire of the Volksoper with performances each season; performances are scheduled for 2024. [36] [37] [38]

The Salzburg Marionette Theatre has toured extensively with their version that features the recorded voices of Broadway singers such as Christiane Noll as Maria. [39] The tour began in Dallas, Texas, in 2007 [40] and continued in Salzburg in 2008. [41] The director is Richard Hamburger. [42] In 2008, a Brazilian production with Kiara Sasso as Maria and Herson Capri as the Captain played in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, [43] and a Dutch production was mounted with Wieneke Remmers as Maria, directed by John Yost. [44]

Andrew Lloyd Webber, David Ian and David Mirvish presented The Sound of Music at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto from 2008 to 2010. The role of Maria was chosen by the public through a television show, How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? , which was produced by Lloyd Webber and Ian and aired in mid-2008. Elicia MacKenzie won [45] and played the role six times a week, while the runner-up in the TV show, Janna Polzin, played Maria twice a week. [46] Captain von Trapp was played by Burke Moses. The show ran for more than 500 performances. It was Toronto's longest running revival ever. [47]

A UK tour began in 2009 and visited more than two dozen cities before ending in 2011. The original cast included Connie Fisher as Maria, Michael Praed as Captain von Trapp and Margaret Preece as the Mother Abbess. Kirsty Malpass was the alternate Maria. [48] Jason Donovan assumed the role of Captain Von Trapp, and Verity Rushworth took over as Maria, in early 2011. Lesley Garrett reprised her role as Mother Abbess for the tour's final engagement in Wimbledon in October 2011.

A production ran at the Ópera-Citi theater in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2011. The cast included Laura Conforte as Maria and Diego Ramos as Captain Von Trapp. [49] A Spanish national tour began in November 2011 at the Auditorio de Tenerife in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands. The tour visited 29 Spanish cities, spending one year in Madrid's Gran Vía at the Teatro Coliseum, and one season at the Tívoli Theatre in Barcelona. It was directed by Jaime Azpilicueta and starred Silvia Luchetti as Maria and Carlos J. Benito as Captain Von Trapp. [50]

A production was mounted at the Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park from July to September 2013. [51] [52] It starred Charlotte Wakefield as Maria, with Michael Xavier as Captain von Trapp and Caroline Keiff as Elsa. [51] It received enthusiastic reviews and became the highest-grossing production ever at the theatre. [51] In 2014, the show was nominated for Best Musical Revival at the Laurence Olivier Awards and Wakefield was nominated for Best Actress in a Musical. [53]

A brief South Korean production played in 2014 [54] The same year, a Spanish language translation opened at Teatro de la Universidad in San Juan, under the direction of Edgar García. It starred Lourdes Robles as Maria and Braulio Castillo as Captain Von Trapp, with Dagmar as Elsa. [55] A production (in Thai: มนต์รักเพลงสวรรค์) ran at Muangthai ratchadalai Theatre, Bangkok, Thailand, in April 2015 in the Thai language. The production replaced the song "Ordinary couple" with "Something Good". [56] [57] [58]

A North American tour, directed by Jack O'Brien and choreographed by Danny Mefford, began at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles in September 2015. The tour ran until July 2017. [59] Kerstin Anderson played Maria, with Ben Davis as Capt. von Trapp and Ashley Brown as Mother Abess. The production has received warm reviews. [60] A UK tour produced by Bill Kenwright began in 2015 and toured into 2016. It was directed by Martin Connor and starred Lucy O'Byrne as Maria. [61] [62] A 2016 Australian tour of the Lloyd Webber production, directed by Sams, included stops in Sydney, [63] Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide. The cast included Amy Lehpamer as Maria, Cameron Daddo as Captain Von Trapp, Marina Prior as Baroness Schraeder and Lorraine Bayly as Frau Schmidt. The choreographer was Arlene Phillips. [64]

Film adaptation

On March 2, 1965, 20th Century Fox released a film adaptation of the musical starring Julie Andrews as Maria Rainer and Christopher Plummer as Captain Georg von Trapp. It was produced and directed by Robert Wise with the screenplay adaptation written by Ernest Lehman. Two songs were written by Rodgers specifically for the film, "I Have Confidence" and "Something Good". The film won five Oscars at the 38th Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Television adaptations

A live televised production of the musical aired twice in December 2013 on NBC. [65] It was directed by Beth McCarthy-Miller and Rob Ashford. [66] Carrie Underwood starred as Maria, with Stephen Moyer as Captain von Trapp, Christian Borle as Max, Laura Benanti as Elsa, and Audra McDonald as the Mother Abbess. [67] The production was released on DVD the same month. [68]

British network ITV presented a live version of its own on December 20, 2015. It starred Kara Tointon as Maria, Julian Ovenden as Captain von Trapp, Katherine Kelly as the Baroness and Alexander Armstrong as Max. [69] [70]

Reception

Most reviews of the original Broadway production were favorable. Richard Watts Jr. of the New York Post stated that the show had "strangely gentle charm that is wonderfully endearing. The Sound of Music strives for nothing in the way of smash effects, substituting instead a kind of gracious and unpretentious simplicity." [71] The New York World-Telegram and Sun pronounced The Sound of Music "the loveliest musical imaginable. It places Rodgers and Hammerstein back in top form as melodist and lyricist. The Lindsay-Crouse dialogue is vibrant and amusing in a plot that rises to genuine excitement." [71] The New York Journal American 's review opined that The Sound of Music is "the most mature product of the team ... it seemed to me to be the full ripening of these two extraordinary talents". [71]

Brooks Atkinson of The New York Times gave a mixed assessment. He praised Mary Martin's performance, saying "she still has the same common touch ... same sharp features, goodwill, and glowing personality that makes music sound intimate and familiar" and stated that "the best of the Sound of Music is Rodgers and Hammerstein in good form". However, he said, the libretto "has the hackneyed look of the musical theatre replaced with Oklahoma! in 1943. It is disappointing to see the American musical stage succumbing to the clichés of operetta." [71] Walter Kerr's review in the New York Herald Tribune was unfavorable: "Before The Sound of Music is halfway through its promising chores it becomes not only too sweet for words but almost too sweet for music", stating that the "evening suffer[s] from little children". [71]

Cast recordings

Columbia Masterworks recorded the original Broadway cast album at the Columbia 30th Street Studio in New York City a week after the show's 1959 opening. The album was the label's first deluxe package in a gatefold jacket, priced $1 higher than previous cast albums. It was No. 1 on Billboard's best-selling albums chart for 16 weeks in 1960. [72] It was released on CD from Sony in the Columbia Broadway Masterworks series. [73] In 1959, singer Patti Page recorded the title song from the show for Mercury Records [74] on the day that the musical opened on Broadway. The 1961 London production was recorded by EMI and released on the HMV label and later re-issued on CD in 1997, on the Broadway Angel label. [75]

The 1965 film soundtrack was released by RCA Victor and is one of the most successful soundtrack albums in history, having sold over 20 million copies worldwide. [76] [77] RCA Victor also released an album of the 1998 Broadway revival produced by Hallmark Entertainment and featuring the full revival cast, including Rebecca Luker, Michael Siberry, Jan Maxwell and Fred Applegate. [78] The Telarc label made a studio cast recording of The Sound of Music, with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra conducted by Erich Kunzel (1987). The lead roles went to opera stars: Frederica von Stade as Maria, Håkan Hagegård as Captain von Trapp, and Eileen Farrell as the Mother Abbess. [19] The recording "includes both the two new songs written for the film version and the three Broadway songs they replace, as well as a previously unrecorded verse of "An Ordinary Couple"". [79] The 2006 London revival was recorded and has been released on the Decca Broadway label. [80] There have been numerous studio cast albums and foreign cast albums issued, though many have only received regional distribution. According to the cast album database, there are 62 recordings of the score that have been issued over the years. [81]

The soundtrack from the 2013 NBC television production starring Carrie Underwood and Stephen Moyer was released on CD and digital download in December 2013 on the Sony Masterworks label. Also featured on the album are Audra McDonald, Laura Benanti and Christian Borle. [82]

Awards and nominations

Original Broadway production

YearAward ceremonyCategoryNomineeResult
1960 Tony Award Best Musical Won
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical Mary Martin Won
Best Featured Actor in a Musical Theodore Bikel Nominated
Kurt Kasznar Nominated
Best Featured Actress in a Musical Patricia Neway Won
Kathy Dunn, Lauri Peters, Mary Susan Locke, Marilyn Rogers, Evanna Lien, William Snowden, and Joseph StewartNominated
Best Direction of a Musical Vincent J. Donehue Nominated
Best Conductor and Musical Director Frederick DvonchWon
Best Scenic Design of a Musical Oliver Smith Won
Theatre World Award Lauri Peters Won
1967 Outer Critics Circle Special Award Constance Towers Won

1998 Broadway Revival

YearAward ceremonyCategoryNomineeResult
1998 Tony Award Best Revival of a Musical Nominated
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Orchestrations Bruce Coughlin Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Revival of a MusicalNominated
Outstanding Actress in a Musical Rebecca Luker Nominated
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical Jan Maxwell Nominated
Outstanding Set Design Heidi Ettinger Nominated
Drama League Award Distinguished Production of a RevivalNominated

Notes

  1. Vine, Hannah (November 16, 2018). "Look Back at the Original Broadway Production of The Sound of Music". Playbill. Archived from the original on April 17, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  2. Nolan, 244
  3. "The Sound of Music :: Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization :: Show Details". The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization. Archived from the original on May 21, 2011. Retrieved May 19, 2011. (Show History section)
  4. Gearin, Joan. Movie vs. Reality: The Real Story of the von Trapp Family Archived June 29, 2011, at the Wayback Machine , Prologue magazine, Winter 2005, Vol. 37, No. 4, National Archives and Records Administration
  5. "Information from the BBC website". Bbc.co.uk. November 16, 1959. Archived from the original on April 27, 2014. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
  6. "Movie Dances: The Sound of Music Ländler". Wayback Machine . Archived from the original on February 10, 2012.
  7. Rodgers, Richard; Hammerstein, Oscar (1960). The Sound of Music. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 2. ISBN   978-0-88188-050-2. Archived from the original on January 3, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  8. "The Sound of Music". Guidetomusicaltheatre.com. Archived from the original on June 12, 2012. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  9. Minor, E. Kyle. "Sound of Music returns to its origins at New Haven's Shubert Theatre" Archived June 24, 2018, at the Wayback Machine , New Haven Register , November 3, 2017, accessed June 24, 2018
  10. "The Sound of Music Awards" Archived December 17, 2017, at the Wayback Machine , Playbill (vault), retrieved November 14, 2017
  11. "PLAYBILL from the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (dated 7/16/1962)". NYPL Digital Collections. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 19, 2021.for The Sound of Music with Jeannie Carson (Maria Rainer replacement)
  12. Monush, Barry. "The Sound of Music FAQ" Archived January 6, 2024, at the Wayback Machine , Rowman & Littlefield (2015)
  13. Bikel, Theodore. Theo: The Autobiography of Theodore Bikel, Univ of Wisconsin Press, 2002, ISBN   0-299-18284-3, p. Z-17
  14. Green, Encyclopedia, p. 396
  15. "The Sound of Music – 1961 West End Premiere". Rodgers & Hammerstein. October 9, 2020. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  16. "Cast list at Broadway World". Broadwayworld.com. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved August 21, 2012.
  17. Maslon, p. 150
  18. Maslon, Laurence (January 30, 2015). The Sound of Music Companion: The official companion to the world's most beloved musical. Pavilion. pp. 150, 151. ISBN   9781910496503. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  19. 1 2 Hischak, p. 259
  20. " 'The Sound of Music' Boadway 1998" Archived October 5, 2015, at the Wayback Machine playbillvault.com, accessed October 15, 2015
  21. Scarlett Johansson – Johansson Snubs Sound Of Music Archived April 3, 2011, at the Wayback Machine contactmusic.com, July 27, 2006
  22. "Summer Strallen is Maria in London's The Sound of Music Feb.26" Archived November 15, 2017, at the Wayback Machine , Broadwayworld.com, February 4, 2008, accessed November 15, 2017
  23. "Aoife Mulholland" Archived November 15, 2017, at the Wayback Machine , Thisistheatre.com, 29 April 2015
  24. Information from Theatre.com Archived July 25, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  25. "Long, Farewell": London's Sound of Music Closes Feb. 21". Playbill. Archived from "So the original on January 31, 2013.
  26. "The Sound of Music: Original Australian Cast Recording on CD | Stage Whispers". www.stagewhispers.com.au. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  27. "June Bronhill, Peter Graves, et al. Featured on The Sound of Music Australian Cast Recording CD | TheaterMania". www.theatermania.com. October 7, 2011. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  28. "The Sound of Music". takawiki.com. Archived from the original on March 25, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  29. Rockwell, John. "Review/Music; 'Sound of Music' Takes On The Icons of a Heroic Past" Archived December 17, 2017, at the Wayback Machine The New York Times, March 9, 1990
  30. Rose, Colin. "Head for the hills; Stage", The Sun Herald (Sydney, Australia), November 14, 1999, Time Out, p. 15
  31. Critics' Choice, The Australian, April 14, 2000, Features, p. 11
  32. Barclay, Alison. "Von Trapps' house is full", Herald Sun (Melbourne, Australia), July 7, 2000, p. 89
  33. Aldred, Debra. "Lisa can sing for her supper of marshmallows", Courier Mail (Queensland, Australia), August 4, 2000, p. 7
  34. Archdall, Susan. "Rachael's happy to go her own way", The Advertiser, January 1, 2001, p. 77
  35. "C wie Cellophanpapier" (PDF). Volksoper Wien. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 19, 2021. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  36. "The Sound of Music" Archived November 28, 2023, at the Wayback Machine , Volksoper Vienna. Retrieved November 29, 2023
  37. Official season programmes of the Volksoper Wien, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08
  38. Lash, Larry L. "The Sound of Music", Variety, March 7, 2005 – March 13, 2005, Legit Reviews; Abroad, p. 57
  39. Genzlinger, Neil. "The Hills Are Still Alive, Just Look Past the Strings" Archived December 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine , The New York Times, December 7, 2007
  40. Review of Dallas opening, November 3, 2007 Archived December 20, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  41. 2008 schedule of performances Archived July 28, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  42. Official website of the Salzburg Marionette Theatre's production Archived February 28, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  43. "Official website of the Brazilian Production". Archived from the original on June 7, 2008.
  44. Official website of the 2008 Dutch production Archived November 19, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  45. Lipton, Brian Scott."The Sound of Music to Bow in Toronto in September 2008" Archived December 30, 2008, at the Wayback Machine , Theatermania.com, September 25, 2007
  46. "Turns out Janna's a 'Maria' after all". The Star. Toronto. August 14, 2008. Archived from the original on December 20, 2008. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
  47. "The Sound of Music Ends Run at The Princess of Wales Theatre January 10" Archived July 8, 2011, at the Wayback Machine , Broadwayworld.com, January 10, 2010
  48. The Sound of Music UK Tour Archived May 20, 2009, at the Wayback Machine , Thesoundofmusictour.com, Retrieved May 18, 2009
  49. "La Novicia Rebelde". Archived from the original on August 6, 2011.
  50. Nuria Frutos. "BWW TV: 'Sonrisas y lágrimas' se prepara para su gira española". BroadwayWorld.com. Archived from the original on October 30, 2014.
  51. 1 2 3 The Sound of Music Extends Run at London's Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park Archived September 26, 2013, at the Wayback Machine , Playbill, Retrieved November 7, 2013
  52. "To Kill A Mockingbird & Sound of Music lead 2013 Open Air season". whatsonstage.com. August 15, 2012. Archived from the original on March 10, 2013. Retrieved October 28, 2012.
  53. Nominations Announced for 2014 Olivier Awards!" Archived March 10, 2014, at the Wayback Machine , Broadwayworld, retrieved 10 March 2014
  54. "2014.1.1 Ticket". Korea JoongAng Daily . January 1, 2014. Archived from the original on January 5, 2014.
  55. "En cartelera The Sound of Music". Archived from the original on October 29, 2014.
  56. "ละครเวที'มนตร์รักเพลงสวรรค์ The sound of music'". VoiceTV Thailand. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015.
  57. "Thailand's Hills Are Alive" Archived April 11, 2015, at the Wayback Machine , NationMultimedia.com
  58. "Bangkok Is Alive with the Sound of Music", Bangkok Post
  59. "New National Tour of The Sound of Music, Directed by Jack O'Brien, to Launch This Fall" Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine , Broadwayworld, retrieved 1 May 2015
  60. Verini, Bob. "L.A. Theater Review: The Sound of Music, Directed by Jack O’Brien" Archived February 1, 2016, at the Wayback Machine , Variety, October 1, 2015
  61. "The Sound of Music Tour Tickets 2016" Archived July 11, 2016, at the Wayback Machine , BritishTheatre.com, May 14, 2016
  62. "The Sound of Music Is Alive with White Light" Archived August 9, 2016, at the Wayback Machine , etnow.com, December 3, 2015, accessed July 16, 2016
  63. Cotter, Richard. The Sound of Music" Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine , Australian Stage, December 18, 2015
  64. "The London Palladium Production of The Sound of Music" Archived July 14, 2015, at the Wayback Machine , The Really Useful Group Ltd., accessed November 15, 2015
  65. Friedlander, Whitney (December 10, 2013). "NBC to Re-Air 'The Sound of Music Live!'". Variety . Penske Business Media. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  66. NBC & Craig Zadan/Neil Meron to Present Live Broadcast of THE SOUND OF MUSIC! Archived December 14, 2012, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved November 30, 2012
  67. Bernardin, Marc (December 5, 2013). "The Sound of Music Live!: TV Review". The Hollywood Reporter . Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on December 7, 2013. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
  68. "NBC to Release The Sound of Music Live! on DVD, Dec 17". Broadway World. Wisdom Digital Media. November 23, 2013. Archived from the original on November 27, 2013. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  69. Martinson, Jane (December 15, 2015). "As ITV prepares for the Sound of Music Live, are we watching TV's future?". The Guardian. Archived from the original on June 16, 2018. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  70. "ITV To Mount 'The Sound Of Music Live!' UK Christmas Special". Deadline.com. October 22, 2015. Archived from the original on August 9, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  71. 1 2 3 4 5 Suskin, pp. 460–64
  72. Bronson, Fred."Chart Beat" Archived July 26, 2017, at the Wayback Machine , Billboard, September 14, 1996
  73. "The Sound of Music – Original Broadway Cast" Archived March 13, 2018, at the Wayback Machine , Castalbums.org, accessed March 12, 2018
  74. "Patti Page – 'The Sound Of Music' / 'Little Donkey'" Archived March 11, 2016, at the Wayback Machine , Discogs.com, accessed December 8, 2015. The disc debuted at No. 99 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Hot 100 Ads 16" Archived May 15, 2016, at the Wayback Machine , The Billboard, December 28, 1959, p. 5, accessed December 8, 2015
  75. "The Sound of Music – Original London Cast" Archived March 16, 2018, at the Wayback Machine , Castalbums.org, accessed March 12, 2018
  76. Eyman, Scott. "The Hills Are Alive With the Sound of Money" Archived May 27, 2015, at the Wayback Machine , The Wall Street Journal , February 27, 2015, accessed December 30, 2017
  77. Hischak, p. 44
  78. "The Sound of Music – Broadway Cast" Archived March 13, 2018, at the Wayback Machine , 1998, Castalbums.org, accessed March 12, 2018
  79. Dyer, Richard, "Record Review;Cincinnati Pops Orchestra Rodgers And Hammersrein: The Sound of Music Telarc (CD)", The Boston Globe, September 15, 1988, Calendar; p. 12
  80. "The Sound of Music – London Cast" Archived March 23, 2018, at the Wayback Machine (2006), Castalbums.org, accessed March 12, 2018
  81. "The Sound of Music" Archived March 21, 2018, at the Wayback Machine , CastAlbums.org, accessed March 12, 2018
  82. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Carrie Underwood: The Sound of Music" Archived November 7, 2015, at the Wayback Machine , AllMusic, December 3, 2013, accessed February 11, 2016

Related Research Articles

<i>Oklahoma!</i> Musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein

Oklahoma! is the first musical written by the duo of Rodgers and Hammerstein. The musical is based on Lynn Riggs's 1931 play, Green Grow the Lilacs. Set in farm country outside the town of Claremore, Indian Territory, in 1906, it tells the story of farm girl Laurey Williams and her courtship by two rival suitors, cowboy Curly McLain and the sinister and frightening farmhand Jud Fry. A secondary romance concerns cowboy Will Parker and his flirtatious fiancée, Ado Annie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rodgers and Hammerstein</span> 20th-century American songwriting team

Rodgers and Hammerstein was a theater-writing team of composer Richard Rodgers (1902–1979) and lyricist-dramatist Oscar Hammerstein II (1895–1960), who together created a series of innovative and influential American musicals. Their musical theater writing partnership has been called the greatest of the 20th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edelweiss (song)</span> Song from The Sound of Music

"Edelweiss" is a show tune from the 1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The Sound of Music. It is named after the edelweiss, a white flower found high in the Alps. The song was created for the 1959 Broadway production of The Sound of Music, as a song for the character Captain Georg von Trapp. In the musical, Captain von Trapp and his family sing this song during the concert near the end of Act II. It is a statement of Austrian patriotism in the face of the pressure put upon him to join the navy of Nazi Germany following the Anschluss. It is also Captain von Trapp's subliminal goodbye to his beloved homeland, using the flower as a symbol of his loyalty to Austria. In the 1965 film adaptation, the song is also sung by the Captain earlier in the film when he rediscovers music with his children.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trapp Family</span> Musical family

The Trapp Family was a singing group formed from the family of former Austrian naval commander Georg von Trapp. The family achieved fame in their original singing career in their native Austria during the interwar period. They also performed in the United States before emigrating there permanently to escape the deteriorating situation in Austria leading up to World War II. In the United States, they became well known as the "Trapp Family Singers" until they ceased to perform as a unit in 1957. The family's story later served as the basis for a memoir, two German films, and the Rodgers and Hammerstein Broadway musical The Sound of Music. The last surviving of the original seven, Maria Franziska, died in 2014 at the age of 99. The youngest and last surviving member of the Trapp Family Singers is Johannes von Trapp.

"Sixteen Going on Seventeen" is a show tune from the 1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The Sound of Music.

<i>The Sound of Music</i> (film) 1965 film by Robert Wise

The Sound of Music is a 1965 American musical drama film produced and directed by Robert Wise from a screenplay written by Ernest Lehman, and starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, with Richard Haydn, Peggy Wood, Charmian Carr, and Eleanor Parker. The film is an adaptation of the 1959 stage musical, composed by Richard Rodgers, with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and a book by Lindsay and Crouse. Based on the 1949 memoir The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria von Trapp, the film is set in Salzburg, Austria, and is a fictional retelling of her experiences as governess to seven children, her eventual marriage with their father Captain Georg von Trapp, and their escape during the Anschluss in 1938.

"The Sound of Music" is the title song from the musical of the same name that premiered in 1959. It was composed by Richard Rodgers with lyrics written by Oscar Hammerstein II. The song introduces the character of Maria, a young novice in an Austrian abbey.

<i>The Story of the Trapp Family Singers</i> 1949 memoir by Maria von Trapp

The Story of the Trapp Family Singers is a 1949 memoir written by Maria Augusta von Trapp, whose life was later fictionalized in Rodgers and Hammerstein's Broadway musical The Sound of Music in 1959.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laura Benanti</span> American actress and singer

Laura Ilene Benanti is an American actress and singer. Over the course of her Broadway career, she has received five Tony Award nominations. She played Louise in the 2008 Broadway revival of Gypsy, winning the 2008 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. Benanti then appeared in the Broadway musical Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown in 2010, winning the Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. She played Elsa Schräder in the 2013 NBC television production of The Sound of Music Live! and, in 2015, began playing Supergirl's twin mother and aunt Alura and Astra in the TV series Supergirl. Benanti appeared as Edie Randall in the TBS comedy The Detour from 2017 until the show's cancellation in 2019. Since 2016, she has had a recurring role as First Lady Melania Trump on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

"The Lonely Goatherd" is a popular show tune from the 1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The Sound of Music.

Sophie Bould is a British theatre and TV actress from Shropshire, where she attended Thomas Telford School and St Dominic's High School for Girls in Brewood. She is now based in London.

"No Way to Stop It" is a show tune from the 1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The Sound of Music, but not included in the later film version from 1965.

"Climb Ev'ry Mountain" is a show tune from the 1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The Sound of Music. It is sung at the close of the first act by the Mother Abbess. It is themed as an inspirational piece, to encourage people to take every step toward attaining their dreams.

<i>The Trapp Family</i> 1956 film

The Trapp Family is a 1956 West German comedy drama film about the real-life Austrian musical family of that name directed by Wolfgang Liebeneiner and starring Ruth Leuwerik, Hans Holt, and Maria Holst. Based on Maria von Trapp's 1949 memoir, The Story of the Trapp Family Singers, the film is about a novice nun sent to care for the unruly children of a wealthy baron, who falls in love with and marries the young woman. Through her caring influence, the family becomes a famous singing group. When the baron is pressured to join Hitler's navy, the family escapes to the United States, where they establish themselves as singers.

Rachel Claire Marley is an Australian singer and actress. Her first major role was as Marta von Trapp in the 1999 Australian revival of The Sound of Music. She won the leading role of Annie, in the local production of Annie, which premiered in December 2000. In June 2002, Marley won the Young Entertainer of the Year category at the 13th Annual Ricky May Heart Awards for her performances in both The Sound of Music and Annie. In February 2012 she starred as Martha in Spring Awakening in Singapore with the PangDemonium! production company.

<i>The Sound of Music Live!</i> 2013 American television special

The Sound of Music Live! is an American television special that was originally broadcast by NBC on December 5, 2013. Produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, the special was an adaptation of Rodgers and Hammerstein's 1959 Broadway musical The Sound of Music. The television special starred country singer and American Idol winner Carrie Underwood as Maria von Trapp, and was performed and televised live from Grumman Studios in Bethpage, New York.

"Something Good" is a song written by Richard Rodgers for the 1965 film version of the 1959 stage musical The Sound of Music. It replaced the original song sung by Maria and Captain Georg von Trapp called "An Ordinary Couple". Since then the song has been used in the various reproductions of the play and most recently the 2015 television special, The Sound of Music Live.

Virgilia Lütz was a German Catholic nun who is known for being the reigning Abbess of Nonnberg Abbey from 1921 until her death in 1949. She is known for her association with Maria von Trapp during the latter's time as a postulant at Nonnberg.

The Sound of Music Live is a television special that was originally broadcast by ITV on 20 December 2015. The special was an adaptation of Rodgers and Hammerstein's 1959 Broadway musical The Sound of Music, starring Kara Tointon as Maria von Trapp, performed and televised live from 3 Mills Studios in London.

<i>The Sound of Music</i> (1988 cast album) 1988 studio album by Erich Kunzel

The Sound of Music is a 70-minute studio album of Richard Rodgers's and Oscar Hammerstein's 1959 musical, starring Frederica von Stade, Håkan Hagegård and Eileen Farrell, performed with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra under the direction of Erich Kunzel. It was released in 1988.

References

Further reading