Raindrops on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens
The hills come alive with the Sound Of Music at Anchorage's Atwood Hall during a locally produced revival of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic this winter. The original Broadway production opened on the Great White Way in 1959, garnering five Tony Awards for its timeless score, which includes classic songs Do-Re-Mi, Sixteen Going On Seventeen, My Favorite Things and of course, the titular theme. Its status as pop culture classic was further solidified with the release of the 1965 film featuring the legendary Julie Andrews as free-spirited heroine Maria.
Set during the eve of the Anschluss in Austria, The Sound Of Music is based on the memoir of real life historical figure Maria Von Trapp. Originally a noviciate nun, Maria was sent to become the governess to the Von Trapp family due to her wild imagination and headstrong behaviour. Upon arrival, the seven mischievous Von Trapp siblings treat her with contempt, but the courageous Maria uses kindness and care, eventually winning them over with a song and dance number or two. Her radiant presence also has an effect on the children's widowed father and romance blooms amidst growing political turmoil that would lead to WWII.