Third time’s a charm for Sound of Music enthusiast
NIKKA GUELER in her winning costume as Maria at the 2021 “Sing-A-Long Sound of Music” at the Hollywood Bowl with host Melissa Peterman.
Brookside resident and Third Street Elementary fourth grader, Nikka Gueler, won first prize in the costume contest at this summer’s “Sing-A-Long Sound of Music” event at the Hollywood Bowl on Aug. 21. The winning costume was an interpretation of the movie’s protagonist, Maria, as a “problem to solve.”
The “Sing-A-Long Sound of Music” takes up residence every year (at least when not experiencing a COVID-related closure) at the Bowl. The movie is shown with sing-a-long subtitles, all while the score is performed live by the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Nikka and her mom, Vivian Gueler, ardent fans of the classic musical, have attended the show six times and entered the costume contest portion of the event three times.
NIKKA IN 2016, as Gretl von Trapp, dressed in drapery, which earned Nikka runner-up status, shown alongside the winning costume, “The Baroness.”
“Nikka was only three when we first went,” Ms. Gueler shared. “We were spectators only, of course, but she was enthralled with the costumes and really wanted to get on stage. I told her she’d have to enter the contest the next year, and that’s exactly what she did.”
NIKKA, IN 2018, was Liesl von Trapp and performed “Sixteen Going On Seventeen” on stage at the Bowl.
The field of entrants is large, consisting of children, adults, and entire families. Costumes range from homespun to elaborate commissions. Ms. Gueler estimated there were 100 contestants this year. The winner is determined by the strength of the audience’s applause.
“Nikka has been determined to win since we started coming to this event,” said Ms. Gueler. “It was a very exciting night for both of us.”
Nikka’s prize included T-shirts, a book, and box seats to Marvel Studio’s “Black Panther in Concert” at the Hollywood Bowl this month. She also got a celebratory ice cream at Jeni’s on Larchmont — mom’s treat.
Category: Entertainment
