The Sound of Music

"The hills are alive, with the Sound of Music..."

Niece Payton Dykstra (Jerry's youngest brother Curt's daughter),

was in the Waukee High School production of "The Sound

of Music" this weekend. That's quite an accomplishment for

a 4th grader. She played the youngest Von Trapp child,

Gretl, and played the part quite well! She is very

expressive, has a lovely voice and really gave a great

performance (along with all the rest of the cast)!

She even signed autographs for friends and family

following the matinee performance that we attended.

I love the expression on her face -- this is where the

children are all lined up to meet the new governess, Maria.
Here we have the Von Trapp children singing with
Maria for the first time.

This is Maria's bedroom, the first night she is with

the family and all of the children come to her room

because they were scared by a thunderstorm.

Here little Gretl sits on the Captain Von Trapp's

knee. He was an amazing performer and only

14 years old.

This is from the scene when Maria returns to the

Von Trapp family house after realizing she's in love

with Captain Von Trapp.

The entire Von Trapp family, including their

new step-mother, Maria.

Here the Von Trapp family children performed

Do-Re-Mi for the Music Festival.

The end of So Long, Farewell at the end of

the Music Festival.

Here the cast is getting well-deserved applause

from the very satisfied audience.

It was a great performance. I think this is only the

start of Payton's time in the spotlight for performing!