June 19, 2015 at 5:12 p.m.
Fans sing along to 'The Sound of Music' at Nicolet
Fans sing along to 'The Sound of Music' at Nicolet
By Kayla Thomason-
Nicolet College Theatre Director Jim Nuttall was thrilled to see so many fans of the film come to belt out their favorite songs.
"We only sold the two sections with the best view of the screen, and they sold out, so it was great," Nuttall said. "We had a few walk-ins and we were able to put them in the unused section."
Guests were encouraged to come dressed as their favorite characters from the movie - the story of the Von Trapp family's escape from the Nazis - and the public responded with unbridled enthusiasm. Some even dressed up as "brown-paper packages tied up with string." Two herders and a goat won the costume contest.
The event was interactive as the audience was encouraged to boo the Nazis, hiss at the Baroness, cheer for Maria and say "aww" every time little Gretl made an appearance.
"It seems like a lot of fun, everyone seems to be participating well," said "Sound of Music" fan Donna Gumz.
"Climb Every Mountain" is her favorite song from the movie. She also loves the scenery and the other songs, she said.
Attendees were given a yellow grab bag upon arrival filled with props to use during the movie.
There was a little piece of fabric the audience waved during "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria," to clue Maria into using curtains to make clothes, according to Nuttall.
Other items included a party invitation that said "The Ball, the Ball," an artificial Edelweiss flower that people could hold up while they sang and swayed to the corresponding song.
"Those are just starter gags for people who have not seen a sing-a-long before," Nuttall said. "If you've ever been to a good live showing of 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show,' you'd see a lot of people know the film so well that they have developed gags to interact with it. At our show several people shined flashlights at the same moment the soldiers were searching the nunnery for the family. One person sneezed loudly just before Mother Superior said 'Bless you my child.'"
Of course, a sing-a-long wouldn't be a sing-a-long if people didn't join in with the movie.
"I think it's going to be fun to sing when everybody gets into the songs and starts singing along," said Maureen Donovan, Gumz' sister.
"Do Re Mi" is her favorite song from the "Sound of Music" and she agrees with her sister that the scenery and music are her favorite things about the movie.
"I've been in Salzburg, Austria (where the film is set) and so when I see the scenes in the movie I know I've been to most of those places," she said.
People of all ages, from children to seniors, enjoyed the show.
"I think this is great," said Donovan. "This is an American classic. That (the children) would know about ('The Sound of Music') is great," Donovan said.
The opportunity to enjoy a classic film alongside other fans was one many could not pass up.
"It's a guaranteed formula for a good night," said Nuttal. "You get to see a good movie, you get to sing your heart out with everyone else, and you get to play or watch all of the gags. People left smiling."
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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