The Alhambra Dinner Theatre brings the Sound of Music to JAX

We all know the story, the songs and even the names of every character in this beloved Rogers & Hammerstein musical. The longest running dinner theater in the United States, The Alhambra Theatre & Dining will be opening “The Sound of Music” show on August 12, running through September 26. Fleet Landing is the sponsor for this family-oriented show, which is already almost sold out.

The Sound of Music story is based on Maria von Trapp's memoir, The Story of the Trapp Family Singers, published in 1949 to help promote her family's singing group following the death of her husband Georg in 1947 Hollywood producers expressed interest in purchasing the title only, but Maria refused, wanting her entire story to be told. In 1956, German producer Wolfgang Liebeneiner purchased the film rights for $9,000 (equivalent to $86,000 in 2020), hired George Hurdalek and Herbert Reinecker to write the screenplay, and Franz Grothe to supervise the soundtrack, which consisted of traditional Austrian folk songs. Z was released in West Germany on October 9, 1956 and became a major success.

In 1956, Paramount Pictures purchased the United States film rights, intending to produce an English-language version with Audrey Hepburn as Maria. The Sound of Music stage musical opened on November 16, 1959 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in New York City and ran on Broadway for 1,443 performances, winning six Tony Awards, including Best Musical. In June 1960, Twentieth Century Fox purchased the film adaptation rights to the stage musical for $1.25 million (equivalent to $10,900,000 in 2020) against ten percent of the gross. The film, which starred Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, was nominated for 10 Oscars and walked away with five, including Best Picture.

"This is the perfect time for The Sound of Music. It's show about love, about acceptance and about doing the right things. Mostly, though, it's great entertainment and we have a great cast to show it off. We're looking forward to the opening,” said Alhambra Managing Partner Craig Smith.

On the Menu: Executive Chef DeJuan Roy creates a new menu for every Alhambra show, usually borrowing influences from the script to shape his selections and recipes. Thanks to Chef Roy's culinary magic, the Alhambra is now known as much for its exceptional dining as for its theatrical productions. The menu for The Sound of Music features:

First Course: (Choice of One) Mixed Field Green with warm potato salad, OR Beer Cheese Soup.

Second Course: (Choice of One) Pork Schnitzel wild mushroom gravy, roasted fingerling potatoes, braised red cabbage, OR Braised Lamb Shanks lamb jus, root vegetables *GF*, Shrimp and Leek Gratin with rice pilaf, roasted asparagus, OR Plant-based Sausage mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes, sauteed peppers, onions.

Third Course: (Choice of One) Apple Strudel, OR Chocolate Cake with apricot jam.

“The Sound of Music”
DATES: Aug.12 — Sept. 19, 2021
SHOW TIMES: 1:50 or 7:50 p.m. ARRIVAL TIMES: 12 or 6 p.m.
DRESS: “Business Casual”, or “Sunday Best”. COVID-19 Protocol is discussed HERE.

TICKETS: Prices range from $66 – $73 per person. Ticket prices include: a three-course meal that changes for each show, a Broadway-style performance and complimentary parking. Tickets may be purchases on line, or by calling (904) 641-1212.
    **Prices do NOT include gratuity, professional photos, nor orders from the bar**

LOCATION: Alhambra Theater & Dining
       12000 Beach Blvd.
       Jacksonville, Florida 32246
       (904) 641-1212