The current North American tour of The Sound of Music and the Library of Congress are collaborating on “Inside the Vault,” a traveling and virtual display that offers a rare look at the creation of the classic musical.
“Inside the Vault” invites audiences to explore archival materials from the Library’s Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II collections that reveal how the show’s songs were conceived and developed. The multimedia experience—including video, printed materials, and digital resources—spotlights the creation of “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Edelweiss,” “My Favorite Things,” “So Long, Farewell,” and “The Sound of Music.”
“Inside the Vault” features music and lyric sketches, correspondence, and papers from composer Rodgers, lyricist Hammerstein II, and others whose work shaped the musical. The exhibition also reflects the personal relationships and artistic collaboration that defined the show's creation.
The display and video resources will be available through dozens of theatres, local schools, and libraries across North America, presenting the exhibition in advance of each city’s engagement. “Inside the Vault” will be displayed in theatre lobbies, creating an immersive, educational experience before and after performances.
Take a look at the company’s visit to the Library of Congress below:
Sound of Music Executive Producer Trinity Wheeler said in a statement, “The Sound of Music is based on the iconic true story of a family whose resilience, courage, and incredible love drove them on their journey to the life they imagined. Their story continues to inspire audiences worldwide, and in conjunction with the Library of Congress, we are thrilled to give audiences a deeper understanding of this journey.”
“The Library of Congress is proud to collect, preserve, and provide access to America’s performing arts heritage,” added Nicholas Brown-Cáceres, chief of the Library’s Music Division. “The Sound of Music is one of our national cultural treasures, and we are thrilled for this opportunity to share a glimpse into the show’s origin story and the work of the Library of Congress with audiences across the country.”
Members of the touring company recently visited the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., where they explored items from the collection.
The Sound of Music features music by Rodgers, lyrics by Hammerstein II, and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. Loosely based on the true story of the von Trapp Family Singers, the beloved musical follows Maria Rainer, who becomes a governess to the seven children of a widowed naval commander in Austria just as the Nazi party is coming into power. The original Broadway production in 1959 was built around Mary Martin's performance as Maria, but the musical is best known from its 1965 film adaptation starring Julie Andrews.
For the current touring itinerary of The Sound of Music, visit SoundofMusiconTour.com. To learn more about the Library of Congress, visit LOC.gov.
Cayleigh Capaldi in The Sound of Music
Cayleigh Capaldi in The Sound of Music
Ian Coursey and Ariana Ferch in The Sound of Music
Christiane Noll and Cayleigh Capaldi in The Sound of Music
Cayleigh Capaldi in The Sound of Music
Christiane Noll in The Sound of Music
Christiane Noll and Cayleigh Capaldi in The Sound of Music
Kevin Earley and Cayleigh Capaldi in The Sound of Music
Kevin Earley, Cayleigh Capaldi, Ariana Ferch, Eli Vander Griend, Ava Davis, Benjamin Stasiek, Haddie Mac, Ruby Caramore, and Luciana VanDette in The Sound of Music
