"Bravo!" Kurt exclaimed as the last note of the finale music played and the curtain came down. He had been the very first person on his feet, and soon others joined him until the entire auditorium of Crouse Hall was standing and applauding. The orchestra began to play the music for the curtain call just as the curtain rose again for the cast to take their bows. First was the ensemble, some dressed as soldiers with others dressed as nuns or townspeople. Following them came Patricia, Sarah, Marie and Elena, the four women playing the Mother Abbess and the three main nuns. Christopher, who played main antagonist Herr Zeller, took a solo bow before giving the stage to Kathryn and David.

The crowd grew louder and clapped along with the rhythm of the music as Sierra, who played Liesl, took her bow with Kyle, who played Rolf. After them were the three youngest children with Melissa in the middle, and Blaine gave her a huge cheer for his cousin from where he was standing on the other side of the aisle that separated his family from the New Directions members. They were followed by the next three children, and then the cast on stage parted to either side as Will and Emma walked out from opposite ends of the stage. Holding hands, they walked through the rest of the applauding cast members and stood in front of them, taking a bow together as the crowd cheered loudly for the two leads. In the audience, the glee kids were going wild with pride, Rachel wiped a tear from her eye, Artie whistled through his teeth and the rest of them shouted encouragements. Emma took a solo bow, followed by Will, and they were then joined by the rest of the cast for a group bow. Finally, Melissa and Caitlyn disappeared off stage for a second, then re-appeared each with a bouquet of flowers in their arms, giving them to Emma and Will. The two bent down and kissed the children before standing up again as the music stopped. After the director addressed the audience, who invited them to help celebrate at the after party in the convention hall, the curtain came down.

"Em, you were fantastic!" Will exclaimed as he wrapped his arms around her in the backstage corridor after the cast filed off stage to get ready for the after party. "Did you hear the audience cheering for you at the end? I am so proud of you!"

"You were pretty amazing yourself," said Emma, ruffling her free hand through his curly hair. "You're the most talented man I know. I hope you're not kicking yourself over turning down April's offer to star with her on Broadway."

"I'm not, actually," he replied. "Like I said, she understood my reasons. Just getting to stand on a Broadway stage and sing in the spotlight alone, then have the theater security person tell me that I had talent was enough for me. I had my dream, and now I have new ones – helping the glee kids get back to nationals and win with some of them graduating next school year is one of them."

"And what is another one of your dreams?" Emma asked. All of a sudden, she felt Will holding her close and kissing her just like they did in their love scene on stage. But this time, it felt real.

It looked like Emma's question had been answered.

The after party was in full swing in the convention hall some time later as cast and crew mingled with audience members, family and friends. There was food and drinks on several long tables, music was being played on a stereo system where two crew members were singing karaoke and local media was making its rounds, currently talking with the director. Emma took a bottle of water off the drink table, looking pretty in a strapless magenta silk dress, her hair unwound from its braid and now falling in gentle waves, her makeup a little more understated from what she wore onstage. Will stood at her side, handsome as ever in a black suit with a white shirt and magenta tie to match Emma's dress. They had left their flower bouquets in their dressing rooms ready for a night of celebrating a wonderful opening performance.

"Do you know," said Will, "the first time I really fell in love with you in real life? I tripped over that horrid wedding dress of your cousin's while giving you those dance lessons and you fell right on top of me." He laughed, which made Emma laugh too.

"Of course, I remember that – back when I was engaged to Ken," she replied. "For me, it would have to be when I stepped in gum in the courtyard just after you revived the glee club and you used one of your credit cards to scrape it off my shoe." Will smiled. If it hadn't been for Emma's advice, not to mention the talent of the glee kids, then he wouldn't be as happy as he was now. He leaned over to kiss her again, but stopped when he heard a familiar voice nearby.

"Hey, I hope you brought enough for everybody," said Shannon's voice behind them, and they turned to see her and the glee kids staring back at them with smiles on their faces. Brittany and Tina were each holding a large bouquet of colorful flowers, who presented them to their teachers.

"Guys, what are you doing here?" Will asked. "I thought you'd all be busy with your own summer plans!"

"When we heard that you and Miss Pillsbury were doing this show," said Rachel, "we just had to come and cheer you on, Mercedes told us who heard it from Kurt. You two were absolutely incredible."

"And I heard it from Blaine," Kurt added, "his cousin Melissa plays Marta and he told me everything." He saw his boyfriend nearby with his family along with Melissa and her family and gave him a wink.

"The love scene in the second act was very romantic," Quinn said. "Puck nearly called out 'Get some, Pillsbury' the first time you kissed, but I socked him in the arm to keep him quiet."

"And I have the red mark to prove it," Puck said as he comically rubbed his arm, sending everyone into fits of laughter, not noticing Sue walking past and giving the group a look, especially at Emma and Will. All of a sudden, the sound of a fork clinking against a glass filled the room and everyone turned towards the small stage by the DJ's booth, the director obviously having something to say to the assembled crowd.

"Hi," said Paul, "can I have your attention for a moment?" The crowd quieted down. "Thank you. I just want to say to those who are here and have come to support family, friends and other people you may know in the cast thank you. Your enthusiasm and support absolutely motivated our actors and I know that they thank you too." He applauded, and others soon followed, Shannon putting her arm around Will's shoulder and him smiling back.

"To my incredible cast," Paul continued, "you have worked so hard over such a short period of time and the amount of dedication, talent and determination all came together tonight in a fantastic opening performance. I hope that you keep it up over the next thirteen performances and remember this experience for many years to come." More applause followed. Just then, someone who was on the crew rushed into the convention hall, a stack of late-edition newspapers under one arm.

"The first reviews are in!" A murmur ran through the crowd as people ran over to collect a copy, and it was Finn that secured one for the glee group. Flipping to the arts and entertainment section, he found what he was looking for and began to read aloud, the others getting in closer to listen.

I was fortunate enough to attend the opening night performance of the classic musical "The Sound of Music" at Crouse Hall, and I wasn't disappointed. Director Paul Chapman and his team assembled a talent-laden cast of Lima locals who acted and sang brilliantly backed by Rodgers and Hammerstein's timeless score performed by a 20-piece orchestra under the baton of musical director Brian Kelehan. Artful lighting by the Crouse Hall technical staff, beautifully done sets by Kevin Pruitt and Teresa Solomon's costumes added to the effect of the story set in Austria before the start of World War II.

Among the standouts in the cast are Kathryn Ellis and David Martin as the classy Baroness Elsa Schraeder and the talent seeker Max Detweiler, who both interpreted their parts with professionalism. Patricia Everett's portrayal of the Mother Abbess was impressive, making her signature song "Climb Every Mountain" her own, backed by Sarah Thomas, Elena Martinez and Marie Preston as three of the Abbey nuns. Christopher Emery's deliciously wicked Herr Zeller and Kyle Jacobs' messenger-boy-turned-soldier/love interest of eldest Von Trapp daughter Liesl (played by 17-year-old Sierra McCarthy) Rolf provided great drama in the climatic scenes of the second act.

McCarthy, along with Jason Brown (15), Natasha Lang (13), Brandon Miller (11), Jennifer Lane (10), Melissa Anderson (8) and Caitlyn Wescott (5) were superb as the Von Trapp children. Each showing the personalities of their characters, they shone with innocence and wonder, a group of young people who only wanted to be loved by their father until their new governess came into their lives.

My biggest praise is saved for the two leads: Captain Von Trapp and Maria, portrayed by McKinley High School faculty members Will Schuester and Emma Pillsbury. They were truly made for these roles, showing amazing chemistry and playing off of each other in their scenes together beautifully. Pillsbury's portrayal of Maria reminded me so much of Julie Andrews' performance in the 1965 film version: innocent, sweet and caring with a lovely soprano voice to match. Schuester, as the Captain, delivered an incredible performance, especially midway through the first act when the character has his change of heart towards the children and the presence of music. Delivering the role with great emotion, it is especially apparent when he sings – his sweeping tenor hitting all the right notes during his signature song "Edelweiss". Both he and Pillsbury are strong, gifted performers and should be given a standing ovation for their efforts.

All in all, this was an enjoyable way to spend an evening – it truly was one of my favorite things. The show runs until August 29 at Crouse Hall.

"You're a hit!" Rachel exclaimed to Emma and Will after Finn finished reading the review. "Mr. Schue, we've got to get you to perform more often when glee starts again – maybe you and Miss Pillsbury can do a duet one day." She was so happy that she ran over and embraced both of her teachers, then went back to celebrate with the rest of the glee kids.

"Will, I'm so happy that you convinced me to do this," Emma said, a tear falling from her eye.

"I'm happy too," Will replied, a huge smile on his face.

"Do you want to know something else?" Emma asked.

"What?" Will said, and this time he saw Emma lean in towards him and kiss him softly on the lips.

"I love you," she said simply.