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There has never been a time when I haven’t seen The Sound of Music. I watched it on repeat throughout my childhood, transfixed by the beautiful music, the seven children (yes, but seven!), the gorgeous scenery, and, of course, my surrogate childhood nanny, Julie Andrews. I’ve been to Sing-a-long Sound of Music and cheered Maria, booed the Nazis, waved my edelweiss, and roared with laughter at the hilariously inappropriate, “Maria, what is it you can’t face?”. I have watched every Oprah “Where Are They Now?” special, gobbled up all the trivia tidbits, and listened to the audio commentary. With delight, I have sat with a new generation watching Maria twirl on the mountain and become entranced as they too learn their do, rei, mi’s.
Lawrence Downes recently suggested that The Sound of Music is due for a remake, arguing that the successful recent revivals of Oklahoma and South Pacific demonstrate how old shows can be made new again. The Sound of Music doesn’t need to be revived or made new. The original 1965 film still resonates with audiences today, as evidenced by the on-going popularity of Sing-a-long Sound of Music events around the world, the hype around the 50th anniversary, and the horrified reaction to The Sound of Music Live on NBC.
Yes, clearly Sound of Music is one of my favorite things. And my belief is this: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. If Maria taught me anything, it’s that if God closes a door, somewhere he opens a window. Instead of remaking what doesn’t need to be remade, I’d like to offer a few things producers can do with all the moolah for such a project.
Things to Do Instead of Remaking The Sound of Music
So dear powers that be, producers, directors, writers, and guardians of the Rogers and Hammerstein estate, please, please, do not remake The Sound of Music. Consider doing something good instead.
Lawrence Downes recently suggested that The Sound of Music is due for a remake, arguing that the successful recent revivals of Oklahoma and South Pacific demonstrate how old shows can be made new again. The Sound of Music doesn’t need to be revived or made new. The original 1965 film still resonates with audiences today, as evidenced by the on-going popularity of Sing-a-long Sound of Music events around the world, the hype around the 50th anniversary, and the horrified reaction to The Sound of Music Live on NBC.
Yes, clearly Sound of Music is one of my favorite things. And my belief is this: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. If Maria taught me anything, it’s that if God closes a door, somewhere he opens a window. Instead of remaking what doesn’t need to be remade, I’d like to offer a few things producers can do with all the moolah for such a project.
Things to Do Instead of Remaking The Sound of Music
- Film Broadway musicals for distribution at cinemas or online. Recently an eager fan was slammed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Tony Award winning composer and star of In the Heights, for illegally seeking a pirated copy of his newest production Hamilton. I’m so enthralled by filmed live musicals, I wrote my Masters Thesis on them. There is a solid market for filmed live musicals. High quality recordings are valuable not just for entertainment, but for education, and archival preservation. The Met Opera, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, and Digital Theatre are just three models proving the success of live theatre on screen.
- Invest in recording regional productions. Broadway may be the capital of live theatre in the USA, but there is plenty of wonderful work being produced beyond the Great White Way. Same deal for entertainment, education, archival preservation applies.
- Invest in school arts programs. Many schools are facing drastic budget cuts and the first subjects and extra curricular programs to go are from the arts. There is a mountain of evidence (also here) that shows that participating in art, drama, and music programs develops many skills. Students learn problem solving, interpersonal skills, self-expression, and develop a sense of place and belonging.
- Provide scholarships for students to attend music and theatre camps. Every summer many camps in and around New York provide stimulating and enriching music and theatre programs. Programs such as Buck's Rock Performing and Creative Arts Camp (full disclosure, I’ve been working at Buck’s Rock since 2008), A Broader Way and French Woods all provide quality access to music, theatre, and the creative arts.
- Fund performing arts travel scholarships. Scholarships to help school groups travel to see professional theatre. Bring school groups from overseas to America. Take groups abroad. Cross-cultural understanding and friendships make the world a better place, and maybe even prevent conflicts.
- Fund music programs for refugees. Music has a powerful capacity for healing, helping with stress relief, and providing hope. The true life story of The Sound of Music is about a family of talented musicians who fled war in Europe, came to the USA for a better life, and opened a music camp in Vermont. What better way to honor the Von Trapp legacy than by helping people who have fled war?
So dear powers that be, producers, directors, writers, and guardians of the Rogers and Hammerstein estate, please, please, do not remake The Sound of Music. Consider doing something good instead.
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