Tuesday, September 23, 2008

The Hollywood Hills Are Alive with the Sound of Music

Last Friday we had a great time with forty-three ward friends experiencing a unique Southern California event - "The Sound of Music" sing-along at the Hollywood Bowl . We paid $35 to watch the 1965 movie classic starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer on the Big Screen. And what a delightful event! Before the movie started there was a costume contest with a cruise as the grand prize. This years winners were a family with eight children dressed as the musical notations 'Do-Re-Mi'-etc. To be in the company of enthused participants gave whole new meaning to a movie so well entrenched in our lives. It was hilarious to yodel with 18,000 people to 'The Lonely Goatherd' and to ponder on how to solve a problem like 'Maria' while holding up q-cards that came in our participant bag (what is a Flibberdigibbit?) A crowd favorite was 'Edelweiss', with 18,000 glowing cell phones raised above the head while the audience swayed and sang in admiration of the nobel, white alpine flower. And when Maria and the Captain finally kissed - everyone let loose with poppers! When the Nazis chased the fleeing family through the cemetery in darkness, prepared participants broke out their flashlights to shed light on the tombstones. And whenever Baroness Shrader or Rolf, the telegram messenger appeared there were hisses and boos . Several laser pointers kept us entertained by visually trying to eliminate the bad guys or telling vicarious understories through their machinations. (ie. the Captain checking out the Baroness' chest.)

On the two hour bus ride from the church to the bowl (it was after all Friday night rush hour) we were tested on our SofM knowledge. We happened to sit in front of a man who knew it all! His wife was equally well versed and kept the questions coming throughout the long ride. One trivia detail I learned later - the four older Osmond brothers auditioned to be Von Trapp children! Think you remember details? Take the Trivia challenge and see how much you know.




2 comments:

A. Pearce said...

Ahh ... Home ... Every summer, my family and I frequented the Hollywood Bowl. We would pack a picnic basket and a sweater and enjoy the music ... I absolutely LOVE their outdoor concerts! I hope one day I can show John and our kids more of what it was like to me to grow up in So-Cal. ~ Amor

Mer said...

Oh! That sounds like a blast! Wish I was there. :)