20demayo Chapter 161 The Sound of Music
Chapter 161 The Sound of Music
Chapter 164: The Sound of Music
Back at their Upper East Side residence, Lin Yan reflected on her several chance encounters with Mr. Gu and Aunt Yan, and couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder. New York is so big; to run into the same elderly Chinese couple several times while taking a walk was truly a rare and precious coincidence.
He could sense that the couple possessed an extraordinary air about them, speaking with elegance, clearly highly cultured intellectuals. Moreover, living in a location like Park Avenue suggested they were no ordinary family. Logically, such figures shouldn't be unknown among the elite of modern Chinese society. Lin Yan searched his memory but couldn't immediately place them. He couldn't help but chuckle self-deprecatingly, thinking, "Looks like they weren't 'test topics' in my history class back then, otherwise I should at least have some recollection of them."
Setting aside his minor doubts for the moment, Lin Yan noticed that Li Wenbin and Zheng Jiaming seemed a bit too relaxed today, huddled together studying a newly purchased chess set. He walked over and patted them on the shoulder: "Hey, you two young masters, it's no fun staying cooped up inside. You've come all the way to New York, wouldn't it be a waste not to see a Broadway musical?"
"Broadway?" Zheng Jiaming immediately looked up, his eyes showing obvious interest. "That's a great suggestion. I've been wanting to experience it for a long time."
Li Wenbin perked up: "A musical? Is it the kind with lots of people singing and dancing? Sounds exciting! Let's go see it!"
Seeing that the two agreed, Lin Yan turned to Charles, who was standing to the side, and instructed him, "Charles, find a popular musical that is suitable for us to watch, and book three... no, four tickets for tomorrow night." He was thinking of bringing Lin Gang along as well.
"Yes, young master." Charles bowed and accepted the order, then withdrew to make arrangements.
With remarkable efficiency, Charles returned in less than twenty minutes, carrying four beautifully printed theater tickets. "Young Master," he said, "as you wish, I've booked tickets for tomorrow night's performance of 'The Sound of Music' at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. This play has received excellent reviews recently, with beautiful melodies and a heartwarming story. I believe Young Master Li and Young Master Zheng will enjoy it."
"The Sound of Music?" Lin Yan took the tickets, a slightly strange yet knowing smile on his face. This classic musical, created by Rogers and Hammerstein, premiered on Broadway in 1959, and they were catching the first wave of its popularity. He glanced at Li Wenbin and Zheng Jiaming, who were curiously crowding around, and casually hummed the classic melody that would later become a global phenomenon:
"Doe, a deer, a female deer... Ray, a drop of golden sun..."
The simple yet melodious tune immediately caught Li Wenbin's attention: "Hey? Ayan, this tune is quite nice, is it from this play?"
"That's right," Lin Yan nodded with a smile, "It's about a lively nun who becomes a governess for a serious colonel's family and takes care of seven mischievous children. Go listen to it tomorrow and you'll see, I guarantee you'll love it."
Zheng Jiaming nodded expectantly: "That sounds interesting."
After arranging the entertainment for tomorrow night, the mansion returned to its peaceful state.
The following evening, Lin Yan pleaded with Wang Yuling, offering five specially prepared meals and five bottles of Coke (which were usually strictly limited) as "compensation," before finally persuading Xiao Qi to stay home obediently. After calming the jealous girl down, Lin Yan, along with Li Wenbin, Zheng Jiaming, and Lin Gang, went out for a walk to the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, located in the heart of Broadway.
Neon lights flicker, theater night
As dusk settles, Broadway seems to awaken completely from its daytime slumber. Giant electronic billboards flash dazzling lights, displaying a variety of theater posters and commercial advertisements, illuminating the street as if it were daytime. Well-dressed crowds converge from all directions, taxis line up in long queues outside theaters, and the air is thick with excitement and anticipation. The entrance to the Rantfontein Theatre is particularly bustling, with a steady stream of audiences arriving for the critically acclaimed production of *The Sound of Music*, which has already garnered rave reviews since its premiere. People, ticket in hand and with festive smiles on their faces, enter one by one under the glittering neon lights.
Stepping inside the theater, a sense of classical luxury immediately envelops you. The Rantfontein Theatre features a classic horseshoe-shaped structure, a design originating from traditional European opera houses, maximizing both the audience's visual focus and acoustics. Golden reliefs, deep red velvet curtains and seats, and a massive crystal chandelier hanging from the dome combine to create a secluded artistic sanctuary. Charles's purchased balcony seat (second floor) in the front row offers an exceptional view—equivalent to a VIP box at a concert in modern times—providing a panoramic view of the entire stage and a clear view of the actors' facial expressions—truly a superb vantage point.
The lights dimmed, and the noise subsided. As the curtain rose, the actress playing Maria appeared alone in the "mountain wilderness," and began to sing the ethereal and vibrant "The Sound of Music." Her clear voice instantly captivated the audience. Zheng Jiaming sat up slightly; he appreciated this pure and infectious artistic expression, finding the opening "very powerful."
The story then moves to Maria's first meeting with Colonel von Trapp's seven children. The atmosphere reaches its first climax when the young actors, dressed in costumes made from old curtains, sing the timeless "Do-Re-Mi" under Maria's guidance.
Li Wenbin watched with great interest, especially the children's playful jumping and hopping on the steps. He couldn't help but whisper to Lin Yan, "These little devils are so much fun! They're much cuter than my younger siblings!"
Zheng Jiaming, on the other hand, focused more on the music itself and the stage arrangement. He noticed that the song was cleverly arranged and vividly demonstrated how Maria used love and music to open the closed hearts of children through simple note teaching, which made him nod frequently.
Although Lin Yan was familiar with the plot, when he saw Gretl, the youngest daughter on stage who spoke in a cute "little voice" and charmed the entire audience, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up, and he thought of a certain little guy who also loved to act cute.
As the plot unfolds, a ball hosted by Colonel von Trapp at his home is a blend of romance and tension. When Maria and the Colonel spontaneously express their affection during the Austrian folk dance, the Landra, Li Wenbin watches intently, muttering to himself, "That's more like it!" Meanwhile, the young Liesl and Rolf, the telegraph delivery boy, innocently sing "Sixteen Years Old, Soon to Be Seventeen" in the summer garden, reminding Zheng Jiaming of his own youthful feelings, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes.
In the second half, the shadow of Nazism loomed. When Colonel von Trapp, guitar in hand, sang "Edelweiss" with deep emotion and unwavering resolve at the music festival, the familiar melody, brimming with patriotic sentiment, echoed throughout the theater. Many audience members, including some who appeared to be overseas Chinese in the vicinity, had tears of emotion glistening in their eyes. Zheng Jiaming was deeply moved; to him, the song was more than just a love song; it was a testament to his unwavering commitment to his homeland and the spirit of freedom.
Finally, with the help of the nuns at the convent, the von Trapp family successfully crossed the Alps and headed towards freedom. The audience erupted in thunderous applause that lasted for a long time. The actors took several curtain calls, and when the melody of "Do-Re-Mi" played again, many audience members clapped softly to the rhythm, and some even sang along quietly. The entire theater was immersed in a warm and moving atmosphere.
As the audience left the theater, Li Wenbin was still excitedly gesturing to the humorous puppet show scene from the famous play "The Lonely Goatherd." Zheng Jiaming, on the other hand, was more silent, seemingly still immersed in the reflections on "courage," "family," and "freedom" evoked by the story. He concluded by saying to Lin Yan, "This is truly a masterpiece; both the music and the story are very powerful."
Looking at the lingering audience around him and the ever-shining lights of Times Square in the distance, Lin Yan felt the timeless charm of this classic musical. It touched the softest parts of people's hearts in a gentle yet firm way, like a warm current flowing quietly through the cool autumn night in New York.