Broadway's beloved musical The Sound of Music made its grand debut at the Lunt-Fontanne Theater in New York City on this day, as Rodgers & Hammerstein unveiled their latest creation with Mary Martin stepping into the role of Maria von Trapp.
At its heart, the musical drew from the true story of an aspiring nun who ended up serving as governess to Captain von Trapp and his sizable brood. Maria von Trapp had shared her own account in a 1949 memoir, which had already inspired two non-fiction films produced in Germany that showcased the family's folk singing talents.
For the stage adaptation, the creators took creative liberties—reimagining the Captain as a rigid disciplinarian whose children were desperately starved for affection and warmth. He was portrayed as a man still mourning the death of his wife. In reality, the actual captain was far less severe.
The memoir had already proven to be a bestseller, and the public was well acquainted with the tale. Excitement spread quickly, resulting in a staggering $2 million worth of advance ticket sales before the curtain even went up on opening night.
Having navigated the world of Broadway many times before, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein understood that a production built around folk music simply wouldn't cut it. They rolled up their sleeves and crafted what would become some of the most cherished songs in musical theater history—"My Favorite Things," "Edelweiss," "Maria," "Do-Re-Mi," and, naturally, "The Sound of Music."
The premiere drew a crowd of seasoned, cynical critics who were largely unimpressed, delivering lukewarm reviews and panning the production. The producers, however, found their vindication on the second night. The everyday theatergoers in attendance were absolutely captivated. From the moment Mary Martin opened her mouth to sing, the audience sat spellbound.