playbill vip

Growing up, we had a whole shelf dedicated to golden-age movie musicals on VHS; we used to watch them as a family on Sunday afternoons. There were some great shows there - Brigadoon, Oklahoma, and South Pacific to name a few.

Of all of the shows on that shelf, The Sound of Music left the most lasting "snapshots" in my mind: Julie Andrews running through the Alps, Rolf and Liesl dancing in the gazebo, Maria standing her ground to stick up for the children, the stunning grace of the Baroness, Maria and the Captain singing "Something Good"...these snapshots come to mind effortlessly and I have to make a concerted effort not to burst out in song whenever "the hills" come up in conversation.

The best part is, it's not just catchy. The Sound of Music stays with you because it's relateable, it has that ring of truth. Maybe we haven't all lived in a convent and then taken a job with a retired naval Captain and his seven rambunctious children. In fact if you have, please come find me after the show - I want to hear about it. But everyone has there own "hills" to run to when they're lonely; everyone has to continue to "climb every mountain" when the going gets tough; and everyone onstage, in the pit or in the audience today is here because "our hearts have been blessed with the sound of music".

So go ahead, "sing once more." Really. We'd love you to sing along with the Von Trapps during Edelweiss; just watch the Captain - he'll bring you in at the end. I've included the lyrics below, so you have no excuse:

Blossom of snow, may you bloom and grow,

Bloom and grow forev-er.

Edelweiss, edelweiss,

Bless my homeland forever.

If you helped out with the show in any way, thank you. If you are in the show, backstage, or playing in the pit, thank you. If you are sitting in the audience, thank you. It's been a joy to interact and work with you all.

-Madilyn Hawkins, Director