The Library and “The Sound of Music” hit the road

-This is a guest post by Deb Fiscella, a public affairs specialist in the Office of Communications. 

The Library and a national touring company are offering theatergoers a peek behind the curtain at the origins of one of Broadway’s most cherished musicals: “The Sound of Music.” In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, the Library and the national tour of “The Sound of Music” are presenting “Inside the Vault,” a new traveling and virtual display that provides a rare look at the creation of one of the most beloved musicals of all time.

“Inside the Vault” invites audiences to explore original archival materials from the Library’s Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II collections that reveal how the show’s iconic songs were conceived, developed and brought to life. A rich multimedia experience — it includes video, printed materials and digital resources — highlights the creative process behind six legendary musical numbers: “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Edelweiss,” “My Favorite Things,” “So Long, Farewell” and “The Sound of Music.” The display and video resources will be made available through dozens of theaters nationwide.

“The Library of Congress is proud to collect, preserve and provide access to America’s performing arts heritage,” said Nicholas Brown-Cáceres, acting chief of the 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.”

“The Sound of Music” features music by Rodgers, lyrics by Hammerstein and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russell Crouse, suggested by “The Trapp Family Singers” by Maria Augusta Trapp.

The 1965 Academy Award–winning film recently celebrated its 60th anniversary and remains one of the most successful and beloved movie musicals of all time. Directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien, the current national tour introduces a new generation of theatergoers to the hills of Austria, celebrating timeless themes of love, resilience and the power of music. “Inside the Vault” features facsimiles of music and lyric sketches, correspondence and papers from Rodgers, Hammerstein and others whose work shaped the musical, bringing new insights to longtime fans and first-time audiences alike.

As part of the initiative, the tour is partnering with local schools and libraries, presenting the display in advance of each engagement. “Inside the Vault” also is being displayed in theater lobbies, creating an immersive, educational experience for patrons before and after performances. Members of the touring company recently visited the Library to explore items from the collections and learn firsthand about the authors’ creative process and the history behind the enduring score.

In addition to experiencing the display in person, audiences are encouraged to explore the Library’s extensive digital archives.

” ‘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,” said Trinity Wheeler, the show’s executive producer. “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.” “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.”

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