Celebrating Seniors Spotlight: Charles Troy & 'The Creation of The Sound of Music'

As a freshman at Evanston Township High School, Charles Troy fell in love with musical theatre. In short order, his dream was to become a Broadway lyricist.

Instead, he worked for 18 years in the family business, a textile distribution firm, and then, in 1990, began carving out a career as a graphic designer. In 2003, he stumbled upon his avocation when a client, a senior learning center, asked him to lay out their catalog.

“I couldn’t help but notice how many classes were being offered in musical theatre,” Troy recalled. “I started giving classes, which soon evolved into these multimedia presentations. To paraphrase Oscar Hammerstein, I followed every rainbow -- and I have definitely found my dream.”

A resident of Mundelein, Troy now has more than 50 programs in his repertoire, including “The Creation of the Sound of Music.” From 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 17th, Troy brings that multimedia presentation to the River Forest Community Center, 8020 Madison, as part of the 5th Annual Celebrating Seniors Week that goes from May 14 to May 21.

There are nearly 50 events throughout the week, and Troy’s presentation, as with almost all of the others, is free of charge.

Through music, movie clips and stories, Troy shines a new light as we mark the 50th anniversary of the beloved film, which tells the story of the Trapp family’s escape from Austria as Nazis arrived during World War II.

The Celebrating Seniors Coalition caught up with Troy to learn more about his passion, and what people can expect from his program:

Q: What are some of the key points you like to convey about ‘The Sound of Music’?

My presentation looks at the real story of Maria von Trapp and contrasts it to the story as told in the musical and movie. I also look at how the 1959 musical came to be written by Rodgers & Hammerstein, and how it was turned into such a terrific movie six years later through the efforts of screenwriter Ernest Lehman and director Robert Wise.

Q: As it turns 50 years old this year, what are some of the enduring themes that have best stood the test of time?

Perhaps the most enduring theme is articulated in “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” -- meaning to keep following every rainbow until you find your dream. And do you know how Oscar Hammerstein arrived at this critical lyric? Through a correspondence with Sister Gregory, the head of the drama department at what was then known as Rosary College in River Forest.

Sister Gregory had befriended Mary Martin on a spring break theatre trip to New York with her students several years previously. Then Martin suggested Hammerstein get in touch with Sister Gregory to help him get a nun’s perspective to write the show, and particularly this song. So a nun from River Forest plays a critical part in the story I tell!

Q: What can people who attend your program expect to experience? Will they see any snippets of the film? Do you sing?

My programs are seamless multimedia presentations with original graphics (I’m a graphic designer), scanned photos, edited audio tracks (with lyrics onscreen) and video clips, all supporting my narration, which is structured as a dramatic narrative rather than a lecture.

So yes, there will be snippets of the film -- and some other film clips as well, which are relevant but will be surprising.

I do not sing (that would be the best way to clear the room), except during the one audience sing-along. (A number of my presentations include sing-alongs, so how could I not include one for my presentation on “The Sound of Music”, the ultimate sing-along movie?)

Q: What are a few of your favorite pieces of trivia related to ‘The Sound of Music’?

In terms of the story, it has to be the real story behind the Trapp family’s exit from Austria, and why it couldn’t have happened as portrayed in the musical and movie. Another favorite is the story of the movie version of “The Lonely Goatherd.” I don’t want to spoil the surprise, so I won’t explain further -- come see my presentation!

Terry Zachata of New York Life is hosting “The Creation of The Sound of Music.” For more information about the session, please call 630-254-6979.

The Celebrating Seniors Coalition has four main objectives: to provide financial support for seniors in need, to facilitate cooperation between the business community, government agencies and non-profit organizations for the benefit of the senior population; to promote senior groups and organizations that serve persons 60 and older; and to raise public awareness of issues affecting seniors.

Charles Troy is online at http://charlestroy.com. For more details about Celebrating Seniors, including the calendar of events, please visit www.celebratingseniors.net.