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The Sound of Music 1959

Opened: November 16, 1959

The Sound of Music - 1959 Broadway History , Info & More

The Sound of Music, a beloved musical brimming with romance and resilience, was crafted by the team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. These giants of musical theatre composed the music and lyrics, weaving a tapestry of joyous songs and heartfelt moments. The book, or script, was adapted by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse from the 1959 film of the same name. The musical premiered on Broadway in 1959 and quickly captured hearts worldwide.



Set in Salzburg, Austria, on the eve of World War II, the story follows Maria Rainer, a postulant who leaves the abbey to become a governess for the seven children of Captain Georg von Trapp, a widower with strict disciplinary methods. Maria's warmth and love of music gradually transform the household, bringing joy back into their lives. As tensions rise in Europe, Maria and the Captain find themselves falling in love, but their happiness is threatened by the Nazi presence in Austria.



The Sound of Music became a cultural phenomenon, winning five Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless themes of love, family, and the power of music in the face of adversity. The iconic songs like "Do-Re-Mi," "My Favorite Things," and "Climb Every Mountain" continue to resonate with audiences of all ages.


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Ann Kittredge's Debut Album 'reIMAGINE' Available on All Digital Platforms Today
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 16, 2022


It's today! Award-winning vocalist Ann Kittredge's debut recording reIMAGINE, a specially curated collection of songs uniquely re-imagined and produced by award-winning songwriter and record producer Paul Rolnick, is available on all digital platforms as of today, May 16, 2022.

Ann Kittredge To Celebrate Release of Debut Album reIMAGINE at The Laurie Beechman Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 2, 2022


In celebration of her soon to be released album Ann Kittredge:reIMAGINE(Jazzheads, Inc./King Kozmo Music), a specially curated collection of songs uniquely re-imagined, Ms. Kittredge, will appear at The Laurie Beechman Theatre (407 West 42nd Street – between 9th & 10th Avenues) on Thursday, May 26th at 7pm.

What Was the Golden Age of Broadway?
by Team BWW - Feb 19, 2022


We're studying up on musical theatre's most glorious time- the Golden Age. What was the Golden Age of Broadway all about and what years did it cover? Learn all about the period which began in the 1940s and produced some of the most iconic musicals.

TOP 10: Lo mejor de Richard Rodgers
by Nuria Pedret - Jun 28, 2021


Con motivo del aniversario del compositor americano, que es uno de los únicos EGOT, queremos hacer un repaso de sus obras más conocidas.

UN DÍA COMO HOY: THE SOUND OF MUSIC se estrena en Broadway en 1959
by Juan-Jose Gonzalez - Nov 16, 2020


El musical de Rodgers y Hammerstein, conocido en España como SONRISAS Y LÁGRIMAS, levantó el telón hace 61 años.

BWW Blog: Rating Rodgers & Hammerstein's Musical Collaborations
by Student Blogger: Brenton Kniess - Nov 2, 2020


The collaboration of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein has created some of the best musicals in musical theatre history, as well as written some of the most iconic go to audition songs

The 101 Greatest Musical Theatre Characters (1940-2020)
by Peter Nason - Apr 30, 2020


BWW Reviewer Peter Nason chooses the best musical theatre characters from 1940-2020; see if your favorites are on our list of the best characters from Broadway musicals.

Pulitzer Prize Winner STATE OF THE UNION Comes to Metropolitan Playhouse
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 14, 2019


Obie Award winner Metropolitan Playhouse revives Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse's witty and apposite Pulitzer Winner, STATE OF THE UNION.  The limited run from February 8 through March 10, 2019, will be at the Playhouse home at 220 E 4th Street.

Trinity Rep to Close Season with OKLAHOMA!
by Tyler Peterson - Apr 6, 2016


?Trinity Rep closes out its 52nd season Rebels, Renegades and Pioneers with Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!, directed and choreographed by 2015 Emmy Award winner Richard Jenkins and Sharon Jenkins. Oklahoma! runs May 5-June 5, 2016.

Rodgers and Hammerstein Biography Will Hit Shelves in 2018
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 29, 2015


According to the New York Times, Henry Holt will publish Todd S. Purdum's 'Rodgers and Hammerstein' in 2018- the 75th anniversary of the composing team's first musical, Oklahoma!. The biography will follow both their contributions to musical theatre, as well as their personal lives.

David Engel, Jason Graae and More Set for Rubicon's RODGERS & HART & HAMMERSTEIN This Weekend
by BWW News Desk - May 16, 2015


The Janet and Mark L. Goldenson Broadway Musical Concert Series at Rubicon Theatre Company continues with three concerts celebrating the genius of two of the most prolific and most important writing teams in musical theatre history in a show entitled RODGERS & HART & HAMMERSTEIN.

David Engel, Jason Graae and More Set for Rubicon's RODGERS & HART & HAMMERSTEIN This Weekend
by BWW News Desk - May 11, 2015


The Janet and Mark L. Goldenson Broadway Musical Concert Series at Rubicon Theatre Company continues with three concerts celebrating the genius of two of the most prolific and most important writing teams in musical theatre history in a show entitled RODGERS & HART & HAMMERSTEIN.

The Rodgers & Hammerstein Blu-ray Collection Out Today on Amazon
by BWW News Desk - May 6, 2014


Songwriting team Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II brought melodies and words to life in some of the most iconic movie musicals of the 20th Century, and now Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment plans to bring that magic home with The Rodgers & Hammerstein Blu-ray Collection today, May 6.

The Rodgers & Hammerstein Blu-ray Collection Out 5/6 on Amazon
by BWW News Desk - Apr 10, 2014


Songwriting team Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II brought melodies and words to life in some of the most iconic movie musicals of the 20th Century, and now Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment plans to bring that magic home with The Rodgers & Hammerstein Blu-ray Collection on May 6. This Amazon-exclusive collection will feature six of the 15-time Academy Award- winning movie musicals by the Oscar- Tony- Pulitzer- Grammy- Emmy-Award-winning team of Rodgers & Hammerstein, including Best Picture winner The Sound of Music, Oklahoma!, The King and I, South Pacific, State Fair and Carousel.

Broadway at the Golden Globes- BWW Rounds Up 2014's Theatrical Nominees
by BWW Special Coverage - Jan 12, 2014


The 71st Annual Golden Globe Awards, hosted by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, air tonight, January 12 on NBC, and BroadwayWorld has rounded up this year's Broadway alums. Learn more about the stars below, and be sure to let us know your picks!

It's A Grand Night For Singing! BWW Rounds Up the Rodgers & Hammerstein Canon
by BWW Special Coverage - Dec 8, 2013


After NBC's foray into musical theatre with last week's live broadcast of The Sound of Music starring Carrie Underwood, and with Laura Osnes' Cinderella sashaying on the Great White Way, the continued sway of Broadway composer-lyricist duo Rodgers & Hammerstein is unmistakable. In honor of their legacy, BroadwayWorld has rounded up some of the highlights of the Rodgers & Hammerstein cannon.

Diablo Theatre Presents A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING, Now thru 12/7
by BWW News Desk - Nov 29, 2013


As a holiday treat, Diablo Theatre Company offers up the delightful A Grand Night for Singing, a romantic, entertaining revue of music by Rodgers and Hammerstein, the duo who created songs that are standards of musical theater and American popular culture. The show will run tonight, November 29-December 7 at Walnut Creek's Lesher Center for the Arts.

Hugh Jackman Stars in Rodgers & Hammerstein's OKLAHOMA! on PBS's Great Performances Tonight
by TV News Desk - Nov 15, 2013


Great news for Hollywood and Broadway fans: Hugh Jackman-who recently starred in the worldwide hit film version of 'Les Miserables'- can be seen again in his breakout musical role as cowpoke Curly in Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!, tonight, November 15 at 9 p.m. on THIRTEEN's Great Performances

Diablo Theatre Company Presents Revue of Rodgers and Hammerstein A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING, 11/29-12/7
by Courtnie Mele - Nov 12, 2013


As a holiday treat, Diablo Theatre Company offers up the delightful A Grand Night for Singing, a romantic, entertaining revue of music by Rodgers and Hammerstein, the duo who created songs that are standards of musical theater and American popular culture. The show will run November 29-December 7 at Walnut Creek's Lesher Center for the Arts.

Hugh Jackman Stars in Rodgers & Hammerstein's OKLAHOMA! on PBS's Great Performances, 11/15
by Caryn Robbins - Nov 8, 2013


Great news for Hollywood and Broadway fans: Hugh Jackman-who recently starred in the worldwide hit film version of "Les Miserables"- can be seen again in his breakout musical role as cowpoke Curly in Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!, Friday, November 15 at 9 p.m. on THIRTEEN's Great Performances

BWW Reviews: THE SOUND OF MUSIC - Finnie Jesson leads a fine cast in this reproduction of the original 1959 version.
by Mark Andrew Lawrence - Dec 11, 2012


Rodgers & Hammerstein's final show, The Sound of Music, has always had a reputation for being overly sentimental and unbearably sweet. Yet, as originally written, the show has much more of an edge. The Civic Light Opera Company has gone back to the original script by Howard Lindsay and Russell Crouse and it is very effective when done with straight-forward sincerity, as it is here. * * * * 1/2 (OUT OF 5)

Berkeley Playhouse Opens 5th Season with THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Now thru 12/2
by BWW News Desk - Oct 27, 2012


Berkeley Playhouse opens its fifth season with Rodgers and Hammerstein's beloved final collaboration, THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Berkeley Playhouse founding Artistic Director Elizabeth McKoy helms this endearing family classic, featuring a cast of 40, with musical direction by Greg Mason and choreography by Staci Arriaga. THE SOUND OF MUSIC plays tonight, October 27 through December 2 (Press opening: October 27) at the Julia Morgan Theatre in Berkeley.

Berkeley Playhouse Opens 5th Season with THE SOUND OF MUSIC, 10/27-12/2
by BWW News Desk - Sep 15, 2012


Berkeley Playhouse opens its fifth season with Rodgers and Hammerstein's beloved final collaboration, THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Berkeley Playhouse founding Artistic Director Elizabeth McKoy helms this endearing family classic, featuring a cast of 40, with musical direction by Greg Mason and choreography by Staci Arriaga. THE SOUND OF MUSIC plays October 27 through December 2 (Press opening: October 27) at the Julia Morgan Theatre in Berkeley.

Eric Ankrim, Alexandra Zorn Lead OKLAHOMA! At 5th Avenue Theatre Thru 3.4
by BWW News Desk - Mar 4, 2012


The 5th Avenue Theatre brings the wide open plains to Seattle with a reimagining of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!

Matthew Morrison to Host Oscar Hammerstein Tribute on PBS Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Mar 3, 2012


As previously announced, OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II - OUT OF MY DREAMS will premiere on PBS stations beginning tonight (check local listings).

The Sound of Music History

Other Productions of The Sound of Music

1959   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway
1961   US Tour 1st National Tour
US Tour
1961   West End London Production
West End
1961   Australia Australian Production
Australia
1962   US Tour 2nd National Tour
US Tour
1963   US Tour 3rd National Tour
US Tour
1964   Regional (US) Regional Revival
Regional (US)
1979   Milburn, NJ (Regional) Paper Mill Production
Milburn, NJ (Regional)
1979   Off-Off-Broadway Equity Library Theatre Revival
Off-Off-Broadway
1981   West End London Revival
West End
1990   Off-Broadway New York City Opera Revival
Off-Broadway
1998   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
2003   Milburn, NJ (Regional) Paper Mill Production
Milburn, NJ (Regional)
2006   West End London Revival
West End
2013   Motion Picture NBC Live Televised Production
Motion Picture
2015   US Tour 2015 National Tour
US Tour

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