Our Sound of Music

Starting from the beginning, I'm going to bring you through HOW's version of the Sound of Music.

The show begins with yours truly as Maria, along with Ingrid's mare, Vanessa. I jump over beautiful canvasses painted by Brenda, which hang over regular jumps. Song: The hills are alive.

Then in come the nuns, holy as ever in their black and white habits and wimples. Lori drives Brenda's mare, Melissa, while Suzanne and Pat inspire piety as passengers. Song: How do you solve a problem like Maria?

Next up is another Maria, played by Stevie, who rides Malti. They show off their dressage moves in a beautiful handmade costume. Song: I have confidence.

My favorite part comes next. Twins Katie and Elisa ride their geldings, Mat and Abend, while they play Rolf and Liesl. Their routine is absolutely darling and ends with the riders holding hands as they leave the performing space. Song: Sixteen, going on seventeen.

Then Stefanie comes in, riding Brenda's mare, Maltessa. Dressed in quite possibly the most wonderful costume, Stefanie is the girl in the white dress with the blue satin sash (and on a cream-colored pony, no less). Song: My favorite things.

Now comes an entire wagon full of beauty, as Adele drives her pair, T-Bird and Showman. Ashley is beside Adele, conducting the Von Trapp children in the back of the vehicle: Clare, Emma, Maddy, Isabelle, Sofia, and Greta, five of whom are vaulters. While Adele and Ashley sport dirndls, the children wear their green and yellow "drapes" and sing along, as does the audience! Song: Do re mi.

Hali and Brenda's mare, Cameo, enter next. Hali is remarkably happy for a lonely goatherder, as is Cameo, who wears a jaunty cap and pants. They demonstrate some pleasure riding very well. Song: Lonely goatherder.

Next in is Peter, driving his trustworthy gelding, Honor. Decked to the nines in his formal wear, Peter drives Jasmyne and Hanna (masquerading as a boy) as the bride and groom. Song: How do you solve a problem like Maria (reprise).

After Peter finishes his drive, the classic song, Edelweiss, plays, and the six riders congregate and perform a sweet, well-choreographed drill team. The riders finish as the song ends with a salute, and then get out of the way!

They have to hustle, as Dave is in next, hauling the Nazis who are after the Von Trapp family. His standard Nazis are Margaret, Kirk, Howard, and Kate, who generally have to give up looking tough to hang on to the edge of the wagon for fear of being launched out. Dave's pair, Mark and Marty, gallop fiercely around the arena. Song: instrumental scary music with sirens.

Meanwhile, the Von Trapp children have leaped out of their wagon and stripped off their clothes. Luckily, they all remembered to put on their custom-made unitards underneath their costumes, styled to match their costumes. I get off Vanessa and Pat F. gets on her, and we prepare to re-enter the arena. Song: Climb every mountain.

Now comes the grand finale: Laura trots in with Liebste, Ingrid's mare, and I'm close on her heels. The vaulters skip in (in unison) and begin their routine, which generally pleases the audience to no end. Song: Sound of Music medley.

And there you have it: our Sound of Music. Words cannot do it justice, but look forward to pictures, video, and lots more behind-the-scenes details from WEG!