The Sound of Music made the hills come alive 60 years ago and sparked a lifelong friendship amongst the child actors of its cast. Kym Karath, who played Gretl, the youngest of the von Trapp children, recently featured a reunion picture on her Instagram with members of her von Trapp family. “The Sound of Music in Florence – the five of us!” she wrote. The image featured the five remaining von Trapp children: Nicholas Hammond, 75, (Friedrich); Duane Chase, 74, (Kurt); Angela Cartwright, 72, (Brigitta); and Debbie Turner, 68, (Marta). Missing are Heather Menzies-Urich, (Louisa) and Charmian Carr, (Liesl), who died at 68 and 73, respectively. The cast was reuniting for a special 60th Anniversary appearance at the Teatro Niccolini on July 5^th.

Speaking with Fox News, Karath spoke glowingly of reuniting with her “siblings.” “Celebrating together in Florence with all my film siblings was a complete delight. Being together, the five of us, in one of the most beautiful cities, Florence, and appearing in the breathtaking historic theater Teatro Niccolini, built in 1648, was absolutely magical,” she shared. “The press was wonderful, and the fans were overwhelmingly warm and enthusiastic.” She also shared that the group had filmed scenes for an upcoming documentary.

Karath shared what she believes has helped keep the family close. “I think the secret behind our friendship is the secret of all enduring friendships, although ours started at a film studio; staying close, loyal, and being there for one another,” she said. She also shared that the cast had developed friendships with members of the actual von Trapp family. “I just had a wonderful conversation with Elizabeth von Trapp, Werner’s daughter. Werner was portrayed by Duane Chase… and they became friends. When Werner passed away, he left Duane his beautiful Austrian jacket,” she said.

Karath also shared praise for her on-screen “mom,” Julie Andrews, who is now 86. “I loved her from the minute I met her. There is never a bad moment with Julie Andrews – never. She’s just the sweetest, most unbelievable, talented, brilliant human… I think we all have the same favorite memory to some extent,” she said. “That was when she took out her guitar and she just sang to us. And she would have us sing with her in between the scenes to amuse us, to entertain us, to make the time pass. She was a pure delight.” She even shared a memory of her on-screen father, Christopher Plummer, who died in 2021 at 91 years of age. “There was an event for 9/11 at the Westport Country Playhouse… I went backstage to see him, and he was waiting for me. Paul Newman was the master of ceremonies. He and [his wife] Joanne Woodward grabbed me backstage and said, ‘Your father’s been pacing the floor, he’s dying to see you!’” Karath recalled. “Such a lovely man. So courtly, charming and funny. Truly delightful.” She reflected on the film’s “enduring appeal.” “…it is the story of a real family who loved one another and were truly courageous.”