For an enjoyable musical sing along this Holiday Season, the Gateway Theatre Company is presenting hit musical Sound of Music, on stage in Richmond through to December 31, 2011.

I attended this outstanding musical production on opening night that saw this wonderful youthful cast entertain the audience with each musical number.

The final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein was destined to become the world’s most beloved musical. When a postulant proves too high-spirited for the religious life, she is dispatched to serve as governess for the seven children of a widowed naval Captain. Her growing rapport with the youngsters, coupled with her generosity of spirit, gradually captures the heart of the stern Captain, and they marry. Upon returning from their honeymoon they discover that Austria has been invaded by the Nazis, who demand the Captain’s immediate service in their navy. The family’s narrow escape over the mountains to Switzerland on the eve of World War II provides one of the most thrilling and inspirational finales ever presented in the theatre. The motion picture version remains the most popular movie musical of all time.

I am still humming along in song from “Do-Re-Mi,” “My Favorite Things” and “So Long, Farewell” these are a few numbers that had us all singing along during the show.

Director Christopher McGregor* leads the creative team of Musical Director Allen Stiles, Choreographer Dawn Ewen, Set Designer Drew Facey, Lighting Designer Sharon Huizinga, Costume Designer Carmen Alatorre, Sound Designer Patrick Pennefather, Stage Manager Lori Parker*, and Assistant Stage Manager Yvonne Yip*.

The Sound of Music features, Ian Butcher*, Alison MacDonald*, Colleen Winton*, Beatrice Zeilinger*, Allan Zinyk*, with Shaun Aquiline, Erika Babins, Michelle Bardach, Daniel Cardoso, Vanessa Coley-Donohue, Taylor D. Robinson, Steffanie Davis, Bridget Esler, Corwin Ferguson, Amy Hall-Cummings, Rachel Harrison, Shantini Klaassen, Arne Larsen, Shalyn McFaul, Thane Malabar, Ranae Miller, Megan Phillips, Sayer Roberts, Jennifer Rooney, Gabriel Schwartz-Dardick, Libby Seltzer, Crystal Verge, and Michael Wilkinson.

The Sound of Music

•At Gateway Theatre until Dec. 31

•Tickets, $30 to $47, at gatewaytheatre.com or 604-270-1812