Taipei is about to come alive with the sound of music

The Sound of Music, with Julie Andrews playing the leading role, is a film that has invaded our consciousness whether we like musicals or not. Even if you regard the film as insufferably schmaltzy, you can probably still hum a couple of bars from Edelweiss or DoRe Me. So New Aspect (新象文 教基金會), the organization responsible for bringing a new stage production of Sound of Music to Taiwan, feels it has a fairly safe bet.

The show will run over a period of 17 days, an unprecedentedly long run for an imported show in Taiwan.

Although New Aspect is one of the organizations most active in bringing high-profile performers into Taiwan, including numerous musicals, Fan Man-nong (樊曼儂), the organization's artistic director, said that this is the first "full Broadway production" they have staged.

With a cast and crew of over 60 people, it is a major undertaking, but having met with a huge reception in China, where the musical was staged in Shanghai, Beijing, Shenyang and Ningbo, it is likely to be equally popular in Taipei. "So many people in China already knew the songs," said Michael Duff, the musical director. Language is clearly not going to be a barrier in this case.

Duff said that even though the screen version is what has made The Sound of Music an indelible piece of 20th century Western culture, it was originally made as a stage musical.

So, The Sound of Music Asia Tour will not be just more of the same Julie Andrews fare, quite apart from the truly delightful presence of the cast of children who are such an integral part of the production.

The seven actors playing the Von Trapp family children, ranging in age from five to 22, bring freshness to the show and it is hard to get away from the intended cozy feeling that it is all one big happy family.

"We really have grown together," said Lisa Carter, 15, who plays Louisa Von Trapp. Three of the Von Trapp children are real-life siblings, with Ashley Easterly, Charles Easterly and Mary Easterly taking the roles of Marta, Friedrich and Gretl.

"There is such a good feeling of love about the whole show," Carter said, adding that the tour was enormous fun despite the tight schedule of rehearsals and schooling that the junior members of the troupe must undergo.

"We have a really great tutor, but sometimes we would really just get out and see some of the great places we are in," Carter said.

The Sound of Music was premiered in 1959 by Rogers and Hammerstein, the last of a hugely successful collaboration which included Oklahoma!, Carousel, South Pacific and The King and I, all of which have weathered the last half century remarkably well.

Its message of love, family unity in times of trouble and the joy of music has even moved the Fubon Cultural and Educational Foundation (富邦文教基金會), who are bearing some of the cost of bringing this big show to Taipei. It will be giving away "a considerable number" of tickets to disadvantaged groups.

Performance notes:

What: Sound of Music

When: Oct. 1 to Oct. 17

Where: Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall

Tickets: NT$800 to NT$3,600 available through ERA ticketing system, Kingstone, Hess and Senseio bookstores.