On the Road with ‘Sound of Music’

The Library and a national touring company are offering theatergoers a peek behind the curtain 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 offers 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 — 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.

“Inside the Vault” features facsimiles of music and lyric sketches, correspondence and papers from composer Rodgers, lyricist 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, which make millions of items accessible from anywhere in the world.