Sound of Music Tickets on Sale May 23

o which came first—the Broadway stage production or the Hollywood version of The Sound of Music?

The answer—the Broadway stage production, and although Hollywood ’s version of the classic musical may differ slightly from the Three Lakes Theater Company’s upcoming stage show, theatergoers are still encouraged to get their tickets early.

For those looking forward to seeing the June 14, 15, 16, 21, 22 or 23 production, tickets go on sale Wednesday, May 23, at three different locations in the Northwoods.

“We have had so many phone calls in the past asking about expanding out ticket sales to the Rhinelander area that we’ve decided to give it a try and see how it works,” explains TLTC marketing director Linda Goldsworthy.

“Please come to the banks or Press Express in person rather than calling about the reserved seats.  While members of the TLTC will assist with sales on the first day, the bulk of the sales will be completed by others. Both First National Bank and Press Express are providing a wonderful service; we don’t want phone calls to interfere with their regular business,” notes Goldsworthy of the purchasing process.  “Tickets can not be reserved by phone, nor can they be purchased with a credit card.”

The evening productions will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Three Lakes School Auditorium.

In addition to the auditorium’s 500 reserved seats, approximately 50 seats will be available each night at the door.  Included in those 50 seats are four wheelchair accessible seats. Persons wishing to reserve the wheelchair seating or with other questions should contact Goldsworthy at 546-2799.

Broadway vs. Hollywood

The famed Broadway duo of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II joined forces with Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse to write the score, lyrics and libretto for The Sound of Music in March of 1959.  The stage production featured Mary Martin of South Pacific and Annie Get Your Gun fame in the lead role of Maria Rainer.

After advanced sales for the show topped $2 million—a 2007 equivalent of $40 million—plans were soon made to move this show from the stage to the silver screen with Julie Andrew starring as Maria.

And if questions posed to TLTC creative director Mari Lynn Garbowicz are any indication, the public is looking to see the movie, not the stage show in June.

“Mari Lynn was already asked if the lead for the show would be cutting her hair short and dying it blonde!” Goldsworthy says.

Goldsworthy notes that while the productions are similar, audiences should expect there to be differences between the two.

“Not only does the stage production feature every song from the movie,” explains Goldsworthy, “but it also includes a few others that will be new to most audience members.  People will also be surprised a few other differences—especially at the end.  But don’t expect me to give anything away just yet—you need to attend and learn about it for yourself.”

The Storyline

The Sound of Music is based upon Maria Augusta Trapp’s book, “The Trapp Family Singers,” which chronicles the life of a rambunctious postulant at Nonnberg Abbey in Austria, just prior to and Nazi Anschluss, or peaceful absorption of Austrian in to the Third Reich.  Young postulant Maria is encouraged by her Mother Superior to take a job as a governess of the seven unruly children of the widowed Captain Von Trapp.

Maria’s rapport with the children, based upon the magic of music, contrasts greatly with the stern Captain who prefers instilling military discipline into his offspring.  However, her relationship with the children, as well as her generosity, eventually captures the heart of Captain Von Trapp and they marry. 

Upon returning from their honeymoon, they discover that Austria has been invaded by the Nazis, who demand the Captain’s immediate service in the navy.  The family narrowly escapes over the mountains to Switzerland on the eve of World War II.

Considered to be the ‘best-loved musical of all time,’ The Sound of Music features such famous numbers as:  Maria, My Favorite Things, Do-Re-Mi, Sixteen Going on Seventeen, The Lonely Goatherd, Climb Ev’ry Mountain, So Long, Farewell, and Edelweiss.