Rodgers & Hammerstein wrote 12 shows together with one originally for television, another for the movies and the rest for the stage of which 5 of the latter became classics of the Broadway theatre and, of those, “Sound of Music” had the most hit songs which included the title tune plus “My Favorite Things”, “Edelweiss”, “Do-Re-Mi”, “Climb Every Mountain”, “So Long, Farewell”, “Maria” are  just some of the 20 songs they wrote for the show.

This November the show will celebrate its 58^th year since opening on Broadway and just by seeing the show at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale last night you can understand why the crowd welcomed it so enthusiastically. Having seen the original production a couple of times, the movie version an unaccountable number of showings, the recent television ‘live’ version plus the national tour just a year and nine months ago when it stopped in Miami, it was like welcoming an old friend combined with meeting a new one due to some major cast changes.

While the musical may be familiar with the story of Maria, a postulant, sent to be a governess to the seven children of widowed Captain von Trapp, falling in love with the children and the Captain and their falling in love with Maria, there is still a gasp, and sigh, from the audience when the Captain and Maria kiss for the first time. With the story taking place when the Nazis are taking over Austria there is also the time you hold your breath when the family is trying to escape while wondering if Rolf, the boy falling in love with Liesi von Trapp, will, as a ‘good Nazi’, give the von Trapps hiding place away.

With 15 of the cast of 31 making their national company touring debut all of the cast are giving first rate performances with—pardon the pun—not one bad note you couldn’t ask for a better production.

Jill-Christine Wiley is perfection as Maria and convincing as the postulant, governess and wife as we watch her grow from the first to the last. Her voice soars when needed and can bring a tear to your eyes the next minute. With a cast of powerhouse voices the first and last notes you hear are sung by Lauren Kidwell as the Mother Abbess and her singing of “Climb Every Mountain” will make you hold your breath and then cheer as she finishes it.

Though he doesn’t get too many chances to use it Mike McLean as Captain von Trapp has a voice of the leading man he is and the bearing of a Captain. Issac Ryckeghem as his butler, Stephanie Gray as the housekeeper, Melissa McKamie as a potential love interest for the Captain and Jake Mills as the Captain’s friend and agent all define what supporting player means.

The Trapp children, along with Chad P. Campbell as a suitor of the eldest Trapp girl, are absolutely charming and do everything that is asked of them and they are: Keslie Ward, Landon Brimacomb, Maya Karp, Arick Brooks, Katie Grgecic, Amaryllis C. Miller and Madeleine Guilbot.

Every aspect of this production, from the orchestra under the direction of Michael Uselmann to the set and costume designs, the lighting and sound effects make this production of “The Sound of Music” one to see whether you have seen 20 productions before or the movie or the television versions or will be seeing it for the first time. It defines the best of a Broadway musical classic.

Running time is 2 hours and 20 minutes plus a 20 minute intermission. It will be playing at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale until October 22. Call 954-462-0222 or go to browardcenter.org for tickets