Before Julie Andrews made being a nun romantic and fun, The Sound of Music was a live musical enjoyed by children and adults alike. Now through Sunday, St. Louisans can see the performance live at The Muny in Forest Park.

I remember watching The Sound of Music as a child and just being enchanted by Andrews in the film. “A Few of My Favorite Things” is a song I like to hum when I’m in a sticky situation—at the dentist or about to throw up, for example—that seems to make me calm down. (I have no idea why.) Since then, there have been dozens of remakes of the song by artists such as Tori Amos, Luther Vandross, Barbara Streisand, Outkast, and many others; Andrews’ version remains my favorite.

“Sixteen Going on Seventeen” was also one of my favorites, though I didn’t get the irony of it at the time! “Do Re Mi” is one that I love to sing to my young daughter. I’ve never seen it live, and it would be a treat to do so while it’s playing at The Muny.

The lineup for The Sound of Music includes Ashley Brown performing as Maria and Tom Hewitt as Baron Von Trapp. Additional talents will include Leslie Denniston as Elsa, Lewis J. Stadlen as Max, and Lina Mugelston as Mother Abbess.

According to The Muny website, “Wit, warmth, and humor combine to make this one of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s best-loved musicals.” I couldn’t agree more, and cannot wait to take my daughter to the show. The performances will run approximately two and a half hours each.

Sponsored by Emerson, The Sound of Music will begin nightly at 8:15 PM. Seating is open at 7:00. Tickets cost anywhere from $9 to $66. They can be purchased online or by calling 314-361-1900, extension 550.  As always, 1,500 free seats in the last nine rows of the theater will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Free parking is also available in front of the main ticket office. Click here for directions to The Muny. Remember, you can also eat at The Muny’s Café One before the show, as well as enjoy the pre-show. The Poor People of Paris will be performing before The Sound of Music.

If you’re already in St. Louis, you know we’ve been having some scattered thunderstorms and are expecting more throughout the weekend. Let’s hope the storms stay away for this magical performance!