East Hill is alive with the 'Sound of Music' Feb. 22

Members of the Cornell Skits-O-Phrenics prepare for Cornell Cinema's screening of the "Sing-A-Long Sound of Music," Feb. 22. Provided by Cornell Cinema

Pull out your lederhosen, polish the glockenspiel and start practicing your yodeling. "Sing-A-Long Sound of Music" is almost here. Screening Saturday, Feb. 22, at 2 and 8 p.m. in Willard Straight Theatre, "Sing-A-Long Sound of Music" is the smash hit interactive show that will have you singing in the aisles or perhaps on center stage. Audiences of all ages are invited to join in singing some of the best-known songs of the 20th century and to dress up as their favorite character, item or even line from a song for a one-of-a-kind interactive event and costume contest. Since its 1999 opening in London, "Sing-A-Long Sound of Music" has played packed houses around the globe. This special Cornell Cinema event is co-sponsored with the Department of Theatre, Film and Dance.

For those wondering what all the buzz is about, "Sing-A-Long Sound of Music" is a screening of the classic Julie Andrews film musical in glorious, full-screen Technicolor, complete with subtitles during the songs, so the whole audience can sing along.

Much more than just a movie, the event begins with a spirited on-stage master-of-ceremonies, Ithaca's own Richard Driscoll, executive director of the Community Arts Partnership, who leads the crowd through group activities, including hand gestures and motions that add to the fun of watching the film. He will be assisted by Cornell's wacky sketch comedy group, the Cornell Skits-O-Phrenics. Complimentary audience "fun packs," containing themed props, allow crowds of all ages to become part of the beloved, song-filled classic.

At each performance, the costume competition pits "nuns" and "Marias" against "brown paper packages tied up with string" and "raindrops on roses." The possibilities are endless, and your brilliant and inspired costume may just win you a whole lot of goodies.

Let's start at the very beginning. Despite a critical beating at its opening in 1965, "The Sound of Music" filled movie houses for months, with many people going back for repeated viewings. It became a runaway box-office success and swept the Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It is the most successful movie musical of all time and the No. 1 family film. The event is "The Sound of Music" -- presented as never before!

Here's how it works: Have you ever been to a musical film and had the uncontrollable urge to spontaneously burst into song? Have you wondered what it would be like to wear a wimple? Could you watch Julie Andrews sing "Do-Re-Mi" or "My Favorite Things" and stop yourself from singing along? Liar! What if all the lyrics were put up on the screen for you -- subtitled -- to make it crimin-ally simple? Here is your chance to bellow -- shamelessly and loudly -- about your favorite things. Sing along with Julie. Wave your edelweiss. Bark at Rolf (the telegram boy). Boo at the Nazis. Join in earnest choruses of "Climb Ev'ry Mountain." And if that's not enough, all ticket holders are invited to try a piece of kugelhopf (Austrian pound cake), provided by Word-of-Mouth Catering in Trumansburg, and a hot beverage.

Produced by Sing-A-Long Productions by arrangement with 20th Century Fox and the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization, "Sing-A-Long Sound of Music" celebrates the most popular movie musical of all time and is a tribute to its timelessness and universal appeal.

General admission tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students and $10 for
children 12 and under, and include the refreshments noted above. Tickets are on sale now. For more information or to order tickets, call Cornell Cinema at 255-3522 or drop by the office in Room 104 Willard Straight Hall, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.