Trapped in the Austrian Alps. Escaping from evil Nazis with seven children. Romance with the nanny. This might sound like this summer’s blockbuster movie, but toss in hummable ditties by the masters of ditties, Rodgers and Hammerstein, and you’ve got The Sound of Music.

The hills come alive Friday, July 12 when the The Sound of Music takes the stage at the Des Moines Playhouse. The family favorite includes such memorable songs as “Do Re Mi,” “My Favorite Things,” “Climb Every Mountain” and the theme song “The Sound of Music.”

It’s the story of Captain von Trapp who hires Maria as the governess for his seven children. Maria brings music into their lives and eventually falls in love with von Trapp.

“This show is really fresh,” Maxwell Schaeffer, who plays Captain von Trapp, said. “We’ve taken the best of the musical and the movie. It seems more alive.”

The Sound of Music, directed by Paul Dieka, replaces The King and I, the musical originally scheduled for this summer. But due to the success of the New York production of the latter, performing rights for The King and I were withheld.

That was just as well for Schaeffer.

“I wasn’t interested in doing The King and I,” he said. “But when they changed it to The Sound of Music, my wife really encouraged me to do it.

“I’ve done lots of musical roles, but never this one. And it’s one my children could come see.” Schaeffer added.

Schaeffer said playing “dad” to seven kids wasn’t as difficult as one might think. And the old clich‚ about never working with animals or kids…

“From the start they saw me as their father,” Schaeffer said. “They’ve been great, and they’re all so talented.”

Schaeffer said the Austrian Alps are brought to life with more than the “typical backdrops.” He said the musical uses settings like a terrace and a staircase like the one in the movie. Best of all, said Schaeffer, is the inspiring ending on what he calls “the rock.”

“They’ve constructed a rock of sorts,” he said. “At the end when we are escaping the Nazis, we walk up this rock which is supposed to be the mountains, and we literally climb up into the rafters.”

The lobby of the playhouse will add to the Bavarian atmosphere when it is converted into a 1930’s Austrian marketplace during the run of The Sound of Music. Music, food, and artwork are just some of the specialties planned.

Before the show begins, an oompah band and accordion players will entertain in the Musik Garden. Many booths will be open both before the show and during intermission.

The Des Moines Playhouse is located at 831 42nd St. Tickets for The Sound of Music are on sale now at the Playhouse box office. Call 277-6261 for times, dates, and prices.