The Hills Are Alive, With The Sound of Music…. what a genius piece of work from Richard Rogers (music) and Oscar Hammerstein (lyrics) which captures the hearts of young and old for decades! In fact, all the songs are amazingly touching! Remember Do-Re-Mi, Edelweiss, Sixteen Going On Seventeen, So Long- Farewell? Now, to introduce your kids to Musicals, perhaps THE SOUND OF MUSIC is a good first step because the songs are catchy, cheerful and the 7 children of the von Trapp family are so endearing!
We watched the movie some months ago and I must say it helps a lot with the understanding of the musical for the kids. The movie is a much longer version (about 3 hours) compared to the musical which played for 2.5 hours including intermission. Rest assured the kids will not get restless because every scene holds onto the attention of the audience as they anticipate the next familiar song to sing along.
WHAT IS THE STORY ABOUT?
If you do not already know the story of the von Trapp family and Maria, the main character, as the governess, I shall briefly introduce here (extraction from wiki and official press release):
The story is based on the memoir of Maria von Trapp, a true story with altered details for the musical and movie. Maria takes a job as governess to a large family while she decides whether to become a nun. She falls in love with the 7 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 as tensions rise before the outbreak of World War II.
With its unforgettable score, THE SOUND OF MUSIC touches the hearts of all ages and contains some of the most memorable songs ever performed on the musical theatre stage including My Favourite Things, Do-Re- Mi, Climb Ev’ry Mountain, Edelweiss, The Lonely Goatherd, Sixteen Going on Seventeen, and of course the glorious title song The Sound of Music.
The original 1959 Broadway production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and was
Rogers and Hammerstein’s biggest success. The 1965 movie starring Julie Andrews as Maria won five Oscars, including Best Picture, and remains one of the most popular movies of all time.
SINGAPORE YOUNG ACTORS AND ACTRESSES
It is interesting to know that 6 out of 7 von Trapp children are young actors and actresses from Singapore, with 3 children to alternate each character. These 18 children come from all corners of Singapore and will perform in rotation throughout the season as the small and cute Gretl, the brothers Friedrich and Kurt, as well as their sisters Marta, Brigitta, and Louisa.
We enjoyed the beautiful stage props which my kids were in awe at the automatic appearance of the tables and chairs which stopped in precise locations. The voices of Maria, the nuns, the children, Captain von Trapp are powerful and an enjoyment to close your eyes for a moment to let the notes sink into your eardrums. While I was watching, I love to pay attention to the standing positions of the actors and actresses. I pointed out to the older kids on the details of the stage performance, including the synchronised steps, looks, speeches with precised timing. It is often with such attention to details that make a performance beautiful and flowing.
We totally love the musical and encourage to let your kids watch the movie before heading to the musical. It is a good start for appreciation of the performing arts for the whole family with such a timeless classic musical.
Sound of Music is currently showing at Mastercards Theatres at Marina Bay Sands till 3 December 2017. It will be a good holiday family activity to look forward to.
More information as follows:
