June 11, 2002

Sing-A-Long Sound of Music at MASS MoCA

(North Adams, Mass.) The Sing-A-Long Sound of Music has been described as everything from the "von Trapps meet Rocky Horror" to a Dadaist art happening. Much more than a movie, at this cinematic event audience members are urged to boo the Nazis, hiss at the Baroness, and yell "Hi, Julie" every time Maria enters. Costumes are also encouraged for this unique blend of theater and film at MASS MoCA on Thursday, July 11, at 8:30 P.M. This latest British invasion has become a cult following with a religious devotion in London since 1999 when The New Yorker described the atmosphere of a recent performance as "semi-delirium", calling it a "work of unquestionable genius."

Rambunctious audiences whistle at Christopher Plummer with his riding crop, and yell "Free the nuns!" at a brief shot of sisters clustered behind an iron grille at Maria's wedding. They often holler "Don't forget the hat stand!" when Maria packs her bag to leave the von Trapp home, recalling a similar scene in Mary Poppins. The words to all songs are in subtitles on the screen for those who are not sure they remember. These include the Latin chanting in the convent and the appropriate vowel sounds for the yodeling sequence.

Prizes for the best costumes will be awarded at the start of the show. The most popular costumes are nuns and Nazis, each of which will have its own best-of category. Anything on the "Favorite Things" or "Doe, a Deer" lists are appropriate for costumes, including wrapping oneself in brown paper and string as a package, white dresses with blue satin sashes, and kittens with whiskers. More outlandish costumes from previous performances include dressing in all yellow and introducing oneself as "Ray a drop of golden sun" and a dress made of Astroturf as "the hill that is alive". Goats and herders are also popular. More subtle costume choices include warm woolen mittens, or a name tag declaring "Me, a name I call myself". If none of these appeals there's always the living room curtains.

Sing-A-Long Sound of Music at MASS MoCA is sponsored by Holiday Inn Berkshires and South Adams Savings Bank.

Lickety Split will serve full dinners and snacks starting at 7:30 P.M. when the doors open. There will also be a full bar. In case of rain, the film will move indoors where the Hunter Center will have been transformed into a full movie palace.

Tickets to Sing-A-Long Sound of Music are $15 for adults and $10 for kids. MASS MoCA members get 10% off. Tickets are available through the MASS MoCA Box Office located on Marshall Street in North Adams from 10 A.M. until 6 P.M. daily. Tickets can also be charged by phone by calling 413.662.2111 during Box Office hours or online at www.massmoca.org at any time of day.

MASS MoCA, the largest center for contemporary visual and performing arts in the United States, is located on a 13- acre campus of renovated 19th-century factory buildings. MASS MoCA focuses on the work of visual and performing artists charting new territory.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Katherine Myers
(413) 664-4481 x8113
katherine@massmoca.org