Austin Parks & Recreation Department hosts 54th summer musical at iconic Ziker Hillside Theater.

In 1959, two musical theatre traditions was born!

Zilker Hillside Theater, 8:30 pm July 5, 2012 - VIP show & test run through

One on Broadway in New York City and the other in Austin’s Zilker Park.

One on Broadway in New York City and the other in Austin’s Zilker Park.

Zilker Hillside Theater is known for it's relaxed atmosphere and a great place to have a picnic with friends or family. Later o,n as the sun sets. the cool breezes and stars in  the skies above add to the magic.

The Austin Parks & Recreation Department's History Arts & Nature Division (PARD/HAND) co-sponsoring together in a historic partnership with the Zilker Theatre Productions are excited to celebrate 54 years of the Zilker Summer Musical! Originally created as a project of the Austin's Parks and Recreation Department in 1959, the Zilker Summer Musical continues to provide high-quality musical theater entertainment to Central Texans and visitors from around the world. The orchestra practicing before the show. PARD/HAND and Zilker Theatre Productions are dedicated to the celebration and preservation of that unique American art form, the Broadway musical, by mounting large-scale musical productions at the Beverly S. Sheffield Hillside Theater in Austin's beautiful Zilker Park.

This year's production: "The Sound of Music"

The storyline is based on the memoir of Maria von Trapp, about the musically gifted von Trapp family. The musical with award wining music by Richard Rogers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein  produced many songs which have become life affirming inspirational standards for several generations.

Famous Party scene where first see love between Maria and The Captain von Trapp.

Who that seen or heard of the musical storyline can forget the von Trapp family's narrow escape from Nazi tyranny. Returning from their honeymoon, they discover the Nazis have taken over Austria while they were gone Their decision to flee 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 Sound of Music

July 6 - August 11, 2012 Thursdays - Sundays (approx. 8:30pm; at dusk)

Beverly S. Sheffield Zilker Hillside Theater Located in Zilker Park across from Barton Springs Pool [ theater info and map]

Admission: FREE!