The Sound of Music is one of the most popular family-friendly musicals of all time. Set in Salzburg, Austria, in 1938, the musical tells the story of a naïve, young governess named Maria who goes to live with a family of seven children and their military father.
Though their father, Captain Von Trapp, forbade music following the death of their mother, Maria changes the entire family forever by bringing the joy of music back into their home. Enamored with Maria, Captain Von Trapp marries her, and the family starts a singing group.
At the same time, the Nazi party is gaining power and popularity, which puts the Von Trapp family in danger. Eventually, they escape to Switzerland and abandon their home to escape the Nazis, but they find solace in the music and joy that brought them together as a family.
Based on the Memoir of Maria von Trapp
Maria von Trapp lived an extraordinary life, from living in a convent to becoming a famous singer. She documented her adventures in the 1949 memoir The Story of the Trapp Family Singers. The Sound of Music musical was based on this memoir, and, although most of the musical was factually accurate, there were some omissions and alterations to the story.
For instance, the real-life Maria was a tutor for just one of the Von Trapp children, not the governess for all seven children. The names and ages of the children were changed as well.
Also, the family did not hike through the Swiss Alps to escape to Switzerland; instead, they took a train to Italy and made their way to America from there. Maria’s daughter, also named Maria, said this in a 2003 interview with Opera News, “We did tell people that we were going to America to sing. And we did not climb over mountains with all our heavy suitcases and instruments. We left by train, pretending nothing.”
Opened on Broadway in 1959
The Sound of Music made its official Broadway debut on November 16, 1959. Premiering at Broadway’s Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, the musical starred Mary Martin as Maria von Trapp and Theodore Bikel as Captain von Trapp. The show ran successfully for 1,443 performances. The last performance was on June 15, 1963. It is the 68th longest-running production in Broadway history behind Arsenic and Old Lace and ahead of Me and My Girl.
Won Five Tony Awards
The Sound of Music won many different awards for its incredible story and cast. In fact, in 1960 the musical was nominated for nine Tony Awards and won five.
The Sound of Music won the Tony Award for Best Musical, while Frederick Dvonch won for Best Conductor and Musical Director. Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical went to Mary Martin, while Patricia Neway, who played the Mother Abbess, received the Tony for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical. And lastly, Oliver Smith won the Tony Award for Best Scenic Design of a Musical.
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Last Musical
Richard Charles Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein met in university and later became writing partners after distinguished careers with other partners. Rodgers, a composer, worked with lyricist Lorenz Hart on musical comedies throughout the late 1920s into the early 1940s. Hammerstein, a lyricist and librettist, collaborated with composers like Sigmund Romberg and Rudolf Friml before embarking on an exclusive partnership with Rodgers.
Together, Rodgers and Hammerstein wrote many popular musicals and plays, such as Oklahoma!, The King and I, and Carousel. They also wrote a film (State Fair) and a TV musical (Cinderella). Combined, their musicals earned 42 Tony Awards, 15 Academy Awards, two Grammy Awards, two Emmy Awards, and two Pulitzer Prizes. Sadly, The Sound of Music was the pair’s last musical they were able to write together. Shortly after its Broadway premiere, Hammerstein died of stomach cancer.
Film Adaptation
Following the success of The Sound of Music on Broadway, in 1965 Robert Wise produced and directed the film adaptation with Ernest Lehman writing the screenplay. The film was shot in 1964 in Los Angeles, California, and Salzburg, Austria. Today, admirers of the film can visit filming locations in Salzburg such as Mirabell Palace, the Mirabell Gardens, Nonnberg Abbey, and Frohnburg Palace.
Julie Andrews was cast as Maria and Christopher Plummer played the role of Captain von Trapp. Despite initial mixed reviews, the movie became the highest-grossing film of all time in 1966, surpassing Gone with the Wind. It won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Film Editing. Andrews was nominated for Best Actress. The film also won three Golden Globes and several other awards.
The Sound of Music is still a classic film nearly 50 years after its release. The American Film Institute listed it at No. 40 in its updated 2007 version of 100 Years…100 American Movies list.