The Sound of Music is a touching and poignant musical that tells a story of struggle and triumph in a way that is both entertaining and humorous. This family friendly musical is truly a must see for all ages.

The original Broadway production of this musical dated from 1959 with music written by Rodgers and Hammerstein and lyrics of Oscar Hammerstein. The musical is based on the book "The Story of the Trapp Family Singers" written by Maria Augusta von Trapp in 1949.

Mary Martin and Theodore Bickel played the main rules in the original cast of Broadway.

This musical was made into an award winning musical- movie in 1965 co starred Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. It is based on the true-life story of the Von Trapp family who escaped from the Germans over the mountains to Switzerland. The movie has a bit more romance than reality and the scenes have been adapted in order to make it a musical.

When Maria was a little girl, she lived near the abbey and wanted to become a nun. When she became adult, she went into the abbey and got the chance to become a real nun however, she couldn't adapt to the situation. Every time she had some free time, she would escape to the hills and enjoy the freedom. It happened very often that she wouldn't get back to the abbey on time. Her convent sent her to Captain Von Trapp because he needed a governess for his seven children.

Maria soon saw that it was not an easy job, because the captain raised them like in a military camp. In the beginning, the children tried to show they didn't want a new governess and did every thing they could to make it difficult for her. She didn't give up and the children were beginning to like her and became good friends. The key was that she gave them freedom and they played together. This was something the captain didn't like in the beginning because he educated them very severe and drilled them like soldiers.

On a day when the captain was visiting his fiance, Baroness Schrder, Maria taught the children to play in the woods and to sing. It started with the song: Do-Re-Mi and later she practiced a song to welcome the Baroness. When the captain came home with the Baroness he enjoyed the song, which his children sang for the Baroness, and a little later a party was organized for the Baroness. Music changed the life of the family Von Trapp and brought more happiness in their life.

However, during the party, the captain fell in love with Maria and she escaped back to the abbey. The convent told her that escaping for love was senseless because if you love somebody you also love God. She tried to convince her that a life as a nun was nothing for her and she sent her back to captain Von Trapp because her task was not done.

The children were happy when the engagement with the Baroness ended. The captain and Maria were really in love now and very soon, they were married and went on a honeymoon.

During this time, the Nazis took part in Austria and when Maria and the captain came back, Uncle Max gave the family the chance to sing in a festival, after which they escaped over the hills to Switzerland.

Very popular songs in this movie are:
- Do-RE-MI
- Edelweiss
- Climb Every Mountain
- My Favorite Things
- Sixteen Going on Seventeen

It is a musical that everyone can enjoy, even though it lasts almost three hours, it doesn't bore you. "Even though it last almost three hours it will not bore you" It is my favorite musical movie, I watch it almost every year.

The Sound of Music is in my opinion the best musical all times. If you haven't seen this movie, I suggest you watch it at least once. It is a must see your whole family will enjoy.

Learn more about this author, Erik Van Tongerloo.
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