"The Sound of Music is the world's most enduringly popular musical," said Chapin in a statement. "Its familiar story of the von Trapp family and the woman who starts as their governess has proven to be far more than a simple tale. As with any good story, there is an underlying truth: that we each have a life we were born to live, and it is our task to find that life. And, of course, for The Sound of Music Rodgers & Hammerstein wrote some of the best songs of all time. The fact that in collaboration with iTheatrics we can now bring a student version of The Sound of Music to the school market is reason for celebration."

The new theatrical property is part of R&H's "Getting to Know Collection." Applications to license the property are now being accepted, with materials shipping in February 2014 for customers in the United States and Canada. Materials will ship at a later date for other countries around the world.

Schools and educational musical theatre groups interested in licensing the musical can find more information here.

The hour-long version was adapted from the full-length musical by iTheatrics under the supervision of its founder and CEO, Timothy Allen McDonald. iTheatrics is collaborating with Rodgers & Hammerstein to completely re-imagine the entire "Getting to Know Collection." "Getting to Know…" The Sound of Music will be the first title to feature the new materials.

R&H Theatricals selected iTheatrics to create the student version as well as accompanying support resources for educators, which provide the tools and information necessary to successfully stage a musical production with students. Resources include a production guide for directors; a vocal recording for rehearsal; and a recording of the "Accompaniment Music and a Choreography and Staging" DVD, which takes directors step-by-step through the process of creating and staging musical numbers. A downloadable Rehearsal Ready Pack provides teachers the ability to download key components like the production guide and vocal tracks prior to receiving their physical Production Pack.

"To be able to re-imagine and adapt The Sound of Music for young people to perform was at first a really daunting task," said iTheatrics founder and CEO McDonald. "But once we rolled up our sleeves and started workshopping the show with our kids we quickly found a way to bring the show to life in the most imaginative way that will also be achievable in school and afterschool programs everywhere."

The Sound of Music features music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse based on the book "The Story of the Trapp Family Singers" by Maria Augusta Trapp.

NBC will broadcast a live production of the stage musical, starring Grammy Award winner Carrie Underwood, Dec. 5. To watch the trailer, click here.

For more information, visit RnH.com or iTheatrics.com.