MANILA, Philippines – Many of us have likely seen The Sound of Music, whether onstage or on film, and we can all likely agree on one thing: it’s a timeless classic. 

The movie, starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2016.

Fifty years since the film, it still continues to be watched by many, with tourists even flying to the location of the movie in Salzburg, Austria.

After bringing West Side Story to Manila in August, Concertus Manila brought the West End production of the Sound of Music to the Theatre at Solaire this time.

Maria Rainier (Carmen Pretorius) is a young woman who enters the convent, but the nuns feel that her personality is much more suited to the outside world. Mother Abbess (Janelle Visagie) then asks Maria to go to the home of Captain Von Trapp (Nick Maude) to be a governess to his 7 children.

Living with the Von Trapp family, she not only brings back music and happiness to the home, but also captures the heart of the captain. As they start their new life together, she and the family find themselves in the middle of a decision as the captain is asked by the new government of the Nazi regime to join them.

Child-like feel

Everyone in the audience bopped or silent hummed the familiar songs such as “Do Re Mi,” “Edelweiss,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen,” and “The Lonely Goatherd.” It was like being a kid all over again.

The cast was great and applauded by the audience. The Filipino kids who were part of the show, moreso, had everyone cheering.

After all, not everyone gets an opportunity to be part of a musical like the Sound of Music. Some may find unsual for the kids in the cast to look different as some of them are blond and the others are dark haired members, but when they open their mouths to sing, that’s all you will pay attention to.

The young lovers out there can definitely relate to Liesl’s feelings for Rolf. After all, when you’re 16 going 17, you start to feel kilig and get the attention of suitors. Or the situation of boys like Friedrich and Kurt, who try to find themselves as they transtion to the teen years. We all have have an inner Marta and Gretl in us, who just want the attention of our parents, to spend time with them, and be loved by them. And the likes of Louisa and Brigitta who notice things and will tell you everything from a young person’s perspective.

Family and service

People can also relate to the values of family and love for country.

Following his marriage to Maria, Captain Von Trapp finds himself in the middle of choosing between service to his country to save his loved ones or serving a government he does not believe in. The situation Von Trapp finds himself in is somewhat similar to the situation of many people today.

Do you choose to do something to put your values and beliefs on the line, or would you uphold them?

One thing is for sure – The Sound of Music is a family production everyone can learn from and feel the simple things and life. After all, everyone does have their favorite things. – Rappler.com

Catch the remaining days of The Sound of Music until October 22 at Solaire.