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Home , Georg von Trapp, Maria von Trapp, Nonnberg Abbey, No Way to Stop It, The Lonely Goatherd, The Sound of Music

ASF Study Materials for

Contact ASF: Study materials written by www.asf.net Susan Willis, ASF Dramaturg 1.800.841.4273 [email protected] Welcome to

Heading for the hills is particularly melodic A von Family Album when the reference is to The Sound of Music. Anywhere that musicals on stage or film have reached, one need only hit and hold that first note on the word "The—" and everyone can Characters Maria Rainer, a postulant at finish the phrase, "hills are alive…." That's some Nonnberg powerful songwriting. The Mother Abbess It was a winning story even before the music Sister Berthe was added—a widower left with 7 children feeling Sister Margaretta he must re-marry for their sakes and a devout Sister Sophia young postulant with a lively spirit seeking her Captain true calling sent to care for those children in His children: need of love. High stakes provided by the Nazi Liesl, age 16 invasion of , and high notes provided by The von Trapp children not long before Friedrich, age 14 Maria and the power of song. Maria Kutschera met them; from left, Louisa, age 13 In the musical, young love hits powerfully Martina, Johanna, Hedwig, Werner, Maria, Kurt, age 10 on two fronts, and Liesl runs toward it while Agatha, and Rupert. They really did wear Brigitta, age 9 Maria, not much her senior, runs away. The wise sailor suits. Marta, age 7 older woman, a classic Hammerstein character, Gretl, the youngest this time a Mother Superior and truly wise, Franz, the butler from her cloister counsels the postulant to Frau Schmidt, housekeeper embrace the life and love offered her. Rolf Gruber, delivery boy Many lives and many loves comprise Elsa Schraeder, a baroness this musical, Oscar Hammerstein's last, and Max Detweiler, a talent agent the pathway through it leads from a convent Herr Zeller neighbors to a villa, to a song contest, and finally to Baron Elberfeld } another country and another life. Maria's is Admiral von Schrieber not the play's only "farewell" to initial hopes Neighbors; , novices, and dreams and plans, only the first. At the postulants at the abbey; end, the entire von is leaving contestants at the Concert their home and homeland, setting out for a new life—and hoping America will accept Setting: , Austria some immigrants fleeing violence at home. (they dropped the Time: 1938 With this production ASF is embracing the 'von' when they became American citizens) newer theatrical approach to staging musicals—it in the U.S. in the 1940s; Georg and Maria will have all the music but played more simply, rear center. They continued to wear native About the Study Materials with two pianos on stage rather than an unseen Austrian garb in the U.S. not as costumes The materials look at basic pit orchestra. We'll be making "the sound of the but because it was familiar, practical, and artistic elements, including family music" right before your very eyes along with comfortable. history and the musical's timeline; the "Trapp family" singing. The other vital member of the Trapp European historical context; and Singers was Father Franz Wasner, a priest a worksheet. Other discussion who began as a renter at their Salzburg and writing prompts are in light villa, became their musical advisor, then blue boxes throughout. their musical director when they began to Adapt these materials to the sing and tour, and a life-long family friend level and needs of your students. who emigrated with them. His contribution is omitted from the musical to build up Maria's role. From an Austrian Villa via to the Broadway Stage

Georg von Trapp raised a musical family; The von Trapp Family Choir became well-bred Europeans were expected to have the Trapp Family Singers in America, and musical skills, but he never intended that they their repertoire shifted from an emphasis on become professional musicians. In fact, he classical music to include Austrian folk tunes repeatedly rejected the very idea, but he lost and other music as they traveled nationally the family fortune by re-investing it in an Austrian and internationally. As the children married bank to help a friend during the mid-1930s and moved, others joined the group until Depression and other financial efforts were not they disbanded in 1957. Some then became profitable, the family's greatest resource turned missionaries, some teachers, some ran the out to be themselves and their musical ability. lodge or taught music schools there. One of the boarders they took in at the villa Biography and Broadway to try to make ends meet was both a priest and In 1949 Maria Trapp wrote The Story of the Daughter Maria Trapp's a musician, Father Franz Wasner. His musical Trapp Family Singers, which inspired a West Memories of Family Music knowledge shaped the Family von Trapp from German film Die Trapp-Familie [The Trapp before Fraulein Maria Came skilled amateur singers into a formidable musical Family] and its sequel, The Trapp Family in "Growing up we were entity, so that they won Austrian contests, were America (1958), which were among the most surrounded by music. Father invited to sing for the Fuhrer's birthday (an honor popular West German films of the 1950s. In played the violin, accordion and they declined), and toured across Europe— these films Georg was portrayed as a sterner mandolin. Mother played piano profitably. He was the musical guru, Maria the figure so Maria could be the inspirational force and violin. I have fond memories driving force, and Georg left to provide moral for the music, along with Father Wasner. The of our grandmother playing the support and make arrangements. first film also shortened the timeline to the 1930s piano for us after meals.… From Austria to the United States for Maria's entry. "Meanwhile, we were The in 1938 changed the family's American director Vincent Donehue saw old enough to learn musical future, especially once Georg turned down an the West German film and instantly thought instruments. Sometimes our appointment to the German Navy. Facing certain the role of ideal for Broadway house must have sounded like a arrest and an imminent border closing, they star , who had just wowed the Great musical conservatory. You could planned a "skiing vacation in ," where Georg White Way in South Pacificand . She hear us practice piano, violin, held dual citizenship, and got out on the last train. was interested, but just getting the rights from guitar, cello, clarinet, accordion, Father Wasner accompanied them. From Italy the far-flung von Trapp family took until the end and later, recorders. We would they went to and the U.S. for a small of 1957, when and Russel gather in the evenings to play tour. They settled in the U.S. in 1939, ending up Crouse were hired to write the play to be called Viennese folksongs on our in Vermont, where they built and later opened a The Singing Heart. instruments with Father leading lodge [Cor Unum, one heart] to the public amid Their plans for a play with Austrian folk tunes on the violin.…" mountains that reminded them of Austria. soon morphed into a musical, the first time Hammerstein would be writing only the lyrics, so the score emerged in a matter of months. The plot continued to change—excluding the emigration, changing her last name and the children's first names and some of their genders, shifting all the events to 1938 near the Anschluss for dramatic effect, cutting Wasner entirely but keeping the Captain's altered stern character so all the focus and story drive could fall on Maria, that is, on their leading and lady and star power, Mary Martin. the 10 children c. 1941 A Musical Based on Real Events: How Art Reshapes Life

The Actual von Trapp Family History Timeline of the Musical Events treated in musical occur 1926-38. All events occur on 8 separate days over a • 1880: Georg von Trapp born in a part of the 15-week period in 1938. Austrian Empire that later was part of Italy; Act One he held dual Austrian-Italian citizenship • Day 1: Maria late at abbey • 1894-1918: Georg's career in Austro- • Day 2: the next day. Maria sent to von Trapp Hungarian Navy, rising to rank equivalent family; her arrival, Rolf and Liesl's talk, to our Lt. Commander and with medals for thunderstorm. Captain has left for sinking several ships • Day 3: 6 weeks later. Captain returns from • 1905: Maria Kutschera born Vienna with Elsa and Max • 1911: Georg's marriage to Agathe • Day 4: one week later. The party; Laendler Compare children in the musical: Whitehead; their children were: dance; Maria leaves Liesl, 16 Rupert, b. 1911 • Day 5: three days later. Maria at abbey; Friedrich, 14 Agathe, b. 1913 Abbess urges her to return to find God's Louisa, 13 Maria, b. 1914 purpose for her Kurt, 10 Werner, b. 1915 Act Two Brigitta, 9 Hedwig, b. 1917 • Same day: Maria returns. Political Marta, 7 Johanna, b. 1919 disagreement between Captain, Elsa, and Gretl, youngest (~5) Martina, b. 1921 Max. Engagement off; Maria and Captain (identical ages of von Trapp • 1922: Agathe von Trapp dies of scarlet fever admit mutual love children in 1927 at marriage) caught from children • Day 6: 2 weeks later. Wedding at abbey • 1923: Maria Kutschera graduates from • Day 7: one month later. Return from State Teachers College for Progressive honeymoon after Anschluss Education • Day 8: three days later. Concert • 1924: Maria becomes a postulant at performance and escape via abbey • 1926: Maria sent to tutor von Trapp Major changes from actual events: daughter Maria, who was weakened by • Maria's arrival and wedding moved from scarlet fever 1926-27 to 1938. • late 1927: Georg marries Maria (he is 47, • Names of von Trapp children changed and she 22); they later have three children of gender of first two swapped; their ages are their own those at time of actual wedding, not 1938. • in an • Georg von Trapp's character changed from Young Maria Kutschera 1935: Georg loses family fortune Austrian bank during ; warm and loving (family's testimony) to family begins singing in public under cold and severe so Maria's effect can be musical direction of Father Franz Wasner. more dramatic. • 1936-37: Family wins song competition and • Maria's last name changed to 'Rainer,' her tours Europe singing mother's maiden name. • 1938: Anschluss [March 12]: Austria • Maria's role as music teacher excludes the annexed by ; Georg refuses family's own previous musical experience a commission in German Navy; family and the musical influence of Father Franz travels by train to Italy just as borders Wasner in developing their abilities. close, then on to the U.S. for singing tour • The Captain never loses his fortune. • 1939: Family tours in Scandinavia, returns • Note that every scene at the villa includes to U.S., lives in Pennsylvania a political point or allusion, so the world The actual wedding • 1941: family moves to Stowe, Vermont beyond the abbey is both a family in crisis • 1947: Georg von Trapp dies and a socio-political world in crisis. • 1957: Trapp Family Singers disband • 1987: Maria Trapp dies The Book Musical—and Rodgers and Hammerstein

The Workings of the Book Musical Rodgers and Hammerstein Book musicals—those wonders of The first groundbreaking, genre-defining storytelling in drama, song, and dance—are book musicals were Jerome Kern and Oscar the classic pieces of 20th-century musical Hammerstein's (1927) and Richard theatre. Traditionally, they have two Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein's Oklahoma! acts. The longer first act introduces (1943), each of which fused the elements of the characters, plot conflicts, and most the musical into a more seamless theatrical of the major songs; it ends with a plot experience and moved the musical beyond complication. The second act resolves comedy so that song and dance arose out of and the plot complications; it has fewer defined the characters and action. Hammerstein new songs and more of the was the lyricist and librettist, who wrote first; earlier major songs. Musicals usually Rodgers the composer, each the best of his kind, contain more music than dialogue, and renowned. Their shows won 35 , through time the music has changed 15 , two Pulitzer prizes, two along with popular musical styles. For Emmy awards, and two Grammy awards. instance, in the 1920s, the American Rodgers and Hammerstein's first musical musical began to incorporate ragtime collaboration was Oklahoma! (1943), where and and jazz; today musicals use hiphop and rap. In the music's character-development and story- Oscar Hammerstein the mid-20th century, musicals provided most telling qualities turned the team into Broadway of the popular standards in American music. gold. They went on to produce a series of As a musical play, the various elements blockbusters, including (1945), South Terms Used in Musicals of drama, song, and dance present levels of Pacific (1949), and (1951), as book musical—a theatrical character intensity—the adage is "when words well as The Sound of Music (1959), their last event with dramatic (as are not enough to express your feeling, you sing, collaboration before Hammerstein's death. All opposed to only comic) and when song is not enough, you dance." Thus were adapted from fiction or nonfiction prose, goals and integrating story, song and dance are the high points of the show. thus involving a double adaptation—prose to characters, dialogue, song, Musicals are commercial theatre; they are theatre to musical. and dance into a unified intended to be popular and to make money for Hammerstein believed in "tolerance and whole. Example: The Sound their producers (and for the creative team if reconciliation," as in Oklahoma!'s "the cowboy of Music they're lucky enough to have a percentage). and the farmer should be friends." Together music—the music for songs, Aiming to be popular involves a different set the team showed that “musicals could be incidental music, and any of values than pure art, which can be more ‘idea-bearing,’ socially conscious, and socially musical scenes challenging and individual. A musical wants responsible, yet still entertain audiences and lyrics—the words for the songs people leaving the theatre humming the tunes, make money.” the book—the spoken script and today they want people downloading the (structure of action, score, becoming groupies, and buying swag. characterization, stage Basics to Consider in The Sound of Music They're meant to be musical catnip. directions) • where and why people burst into song; what libretto—book/dialogue and that tells us about the moment and the lyrics characters score—music and lyrics • where and how we feel the Austrian roots of sung-through musicals—shows the story and characters with sung dialogue or • how and why the musical incorporates a recitative, as in Jesus Christ world about to be at war Superstar, Les Misérables, , or Broadway Version or Film Version—Which to Produce?

For anyone who knew the 1959 Broadway In the film, the song with which the Abbess sound track, the 1965 film was startling in its adjusted Maria to the idea of helping the Trapp changes. Elsa and Max's sharp, political songs family is moved to the thunderstorm scene, and were gone; in fact, the two no longer sang at "Lonely Goatherd," which had been there, gets all. Also the order of the songs was different, written into a new, extraneous scene of a puppet and there were two new songs, both featuring show. Instead, Maria on her own bolsters her Maria (). All the songs now focus "confidence." "Do-Re-Mi" appears later; it no on Maria and the abbey or Maria, the children, longer introduces her to the children. and/or the Captain. "Edelweiss" appears only once in the On Broadway, Elsa and Max's songs were Broadway score because it was the last song biting, edgy lyrics about a self-centered and written for the show, penned for the Boston self-serving ethic. Love is challenging for the tryouts. By 1965 with its popularity assured, wealthy because … the wealth gets in the way. the film uses it twice. It's more of a business deal. And if business Richard Rodgers wrote both lyrics and mu- takes priority, why rock the market if a new sic for "I Have Confidence" and for the Captain political administration comes into power. Profit and Maria's new love ballad, "Something Good," The Broadway poster looks from them. The Captain may be wealthy, but shot in the gazebo to echo the Liesl/Rolf scene. more like one for Music Man than for he cannot support the Nazis, and during "No The closing sections are comparable. the Sound of Music; the actors only Way to Stop It" he refuses to go along with the play a guitar on stage. The ASF production will use the film's Nazis. The script notes that in the song "the fury The film poster is equally but songs and song order, the more familiar mounts between Elsa and the Captian and we differently odd. Does Maria seem one to the broad audience for this musical. like a convent postulant here or like see a definite parting of the ways." Liesl's older sister? When does she wear pink? And the only time all Musical Variations Between the Two Versions these characters are on the mountain together is fleeing Nazis at the end— Song List for the Broadway Musical Song List for the Film (cut, rearranged, new) in this mood? Act One • Preludium/ sacred chant in abbey • "The Sound of Music" • "The Sound of Music" (on mountain) • Preludium (sacred chant in abbey) • "Maria" (this and next in abbey) • "Maria" "My Favorite Things" (Abbess, Maria), • "I Have Confidence" [new song] • "Do-Re-Mi" (as Maria meets children, villa) • "Sixteen Going On Seventeen" • "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" • "Lonely Goatherd" (during thunderstorm) • "My Favorite Things" (during thunderstorm) • "How Can Love Survive?" (Elsa, Max, Captain) •"Do-Re-Mi" (Maria and children exploring) • reprise of "Sound of Music" (children) • reprise of "Sound of Music"(children and Captain) • "So Long, Farewell" (party) • "" (puppet show) • "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" (in abbey) • "Edelweiss" (Captain, Maria, children) Act Two • "So Long, Farewell" (party) • reprise of "My Favorite Things" (villa) • "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" (in abbey) • "" (Elsa, Max, Captain) • "Something Good" (Captain and Maria) [new • "An Ordinary Couple" (Captain and Maria) song] • sacred music and reprise of "Maria" (abbey for • reprise "Maria" (abbey, wedding march) wedding) • reprise "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" • reprise "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" • concert: reprise "Do-Re-Mi" • reprise "Do-Re-Mi" (concert stage) reprise "Edelweiss" • "Edelweiss" (concert) reprise "So Long, Farewell" • reprise "So Long, Farewell" (concert) • reprise "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" (climb) • Finale (abbey garden) "Let's Start at the Very Beginning…"

An essay opens with a title, an introduction, The Title Song—the Thesis Statement and a thesis statement. So does the Broadway Though she knows she must return to the musical, The Sound of Music. abbey, Maria waits for "one more lovely thing / The title promises sound and music, and That the hills might say," because "The hills are that is indeed the start. alive / With the sound of music." This, too, is a As introduction, we hear music in a Christian response to creation, to what has been given, context—the sounds of Nonnberg Abbey, bells one her heart responds to strongly—and as we and nuns chanting in Latin the "Dixit Dominus" will see, the response of her heart (and others' [The Lord said], which states the power given hearts) to music is one of the driving forces and to the One placed at the right hand of God, and concerns of the musical. ends with praise: "Glory to the Father, Son, and In the song, her heart wants to respond like Holy Spirit forever." The language, the setting, a bird's wings rising and like a falling brook—like Benedictine postulants and the singers speak to an ages-old tradition following one's nature—but also like a chime from a church and "a lark who is learning to postulant—the first step of devotion and to purpose and order in life. pray," an apt description of Maria at this moment. toward becoming a , a Then the Angelus bells ring (a distinctive Hearing the "call" of the divine and learning to candidate who moves into rhythm). They are rung at 6 am, noon, and 6 pm pray, to heed and respond to God, will be crucial the religious community to daily to prompt a devotion commemorating the elements of Act One for Maria, actions that will discern if this life is right for Incarnation—the Spirit made flesh, the moment echo in and affect many others. her and for the community when Gabriel spoke to Mary about her calling as to discern her fitness. If a mother. This Angelus is clearly 6 pm, because The end of the song adds vital information: successful, she becomes the day is ending and someone is missing (the "I go to the hills / When my heart is lonely…." a novice for further training many are in the fold, but there is a missing lamb, Loneliness and the need to reach out, to before taking first vows. as it were), Maria [whose name is a form of Mary], move beyond it, also drives the action of the Final, irrevocable vows a postulant in the abbey—who is not yet aware play—going to the hills is the first such move. come some years later. of the coming call to motherhood in the story. Another is coming in the next scene. Such an But Maria is not lost; she's just late. idea ends Act One with the challenge of "Climb With permission, she has spent the day Every Mountain," and at the end of the show, on the nearby mountainside. She, too, is of course, the family climbs an actual mountain singing—not the same chant but the music to seek a new life. of the hills, of nature. So there is music On the hillside, Maria seeks the "blessing" inside the walls of the abbey, and music of the sound of music; with that, "I'll sing once outside as well; on the mountainside Maria more." Music as blessing is a potent part of the claims, "My heart wants to sing / Every song musical's thesis and plot. it hears." Singing is a literal action, what she is doing The idea of an inside world and an at the moment and wants to continue to do, but outside world is clearly established from the also a spiritual state of responding to God's Nonnberg Abbey and nearby top, the idea of various responses to the creation, nature, the world. So one question Alps in Salzburg, Austria "call," and that there are many kinds of music, that arises is which song she should continue to a variety of ways to give glory to God. sing—the nuns' or the hills', because apparently she cannot sing both at once. Whichever song she chooses, she will "sing once more." The Arc of the Story and the Music Act One: Problems and Challenges • I'm Sixteen, He's Seventeen—and a Nazi • How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? Sympathizer Or more precisely, how do you solve the The older generation's love issues are problem of Maria? Despite her earnest devotion, contrasted by Liesl and Rolf's youthful attraction. this postulant at the abbey does not seem to be Liesl responds to Rolf; Elsa sets her sights on solid nun material. Georg; Maria runs away from her response to The Abbess allows Maria to take a day the Captain—and the Captain tries to avoid on the mountain before having a serious the Nazis. discussion of her spiritual vocation. On Act One to Act Two Broadway she introduced the idea of Maria's The large action of Act One is from the life outside the abbey by asking her, in song- abbey to the villa and the discovery of new form, about her "Favorite Things." Maria does love—Maria's for the children and theirs for her, not want to leave the abbey, but her most vital Rolf and Liesl's, Georg and Elsa's proposed responses at the top of the show are about merger, and finally the spark between Georg life outside it. Maria obeys the Abbess and and Maria. At the end of Act One the action Edelweiss accepts as God's will the call to help the von circles back to the abbey, only to be reoriented The flower has several Trapp family temporarily as a tutor. Interestingly, to the villa by the Abbess. names—its Greek/Latin scientific Maria the problem now has potential to be a name means "lion's paw," but in The show's first song is Maria's on the problem solver—or someone else's problem Italian and French it is "star of mountain, and its last song is about figuratively for a time. the Alps"; it has also been called climbing mountains. Three songs in sequence "cat's paws" and "wool flower." • How Do You Solve a Problem Like in the middle of Broadway's first act (two in the The German name means Having Seven Motherless Children? film) offer views of love—"Sixteen…," "Lonely "noble white," and this member The von Trapp villa has its own problems Goatherd," and "How Can Love Survive," natural of the daisy/sunflower family due to the early death of Mrs. von Trapp. The one attractions and the unnatural obstacles that grows at Alpine heights and is remaining parent has lost his vocation—a sea possessions and high finance can pose. the national flower of Romania, captain and naval hero now in a post-World War Act Two on Broadway offers only three new Austria, Bulgaria, Slovenia, and I country without a coastline or a navy, though songs while reprising six from Act One; the film . When given, it his home is still run like a ship. Captain Georg has only one new song in the second half. At promises dedication—so Captain von Trapp needs a "first mate" or governess the end of the musical, as the love relationships von Trapp's song is a pledge, not for the children. have clarified into a wedding and the political just a melody. A postulant not much older than his oldest tensions increased in yet another, less holy In 1959, no one in Austria daughter would seem a losing bet, until the 'union,' the Anschluss of Austria with Nazi knew the song "Edelweiss" children meet Maria and vice versa. It is almost Germany, Georg sings "Edelweiss," his own love because it was a folk-song-style love at first song as they bond with music. ballad and farewell song to his country. Climbing melody written especially for this • How Do You Solve a Problem Like mountains becomes the final escape from Nazi musical, although everyone else Choosing the Right Second Wife? hegemony and a new beginning elsewhere for thought it authentic. Captain von Trapp feels it his duty and the new "dream" the family has found as the perhaps his inclination to re-marry. His social nuns reprise the act-ending song. circle has afforded him a suitable candidate, Elsa, a glamorous, very wealthy widow. Good for him, not as good for the children. The children respond to Maria and slowly so does the Captain. What's a man to do? He has two very different options. What's Maria to do? She also has two very different options.

Edelweiss Thinking about Settings

The Abbey actual Maria, who was fostered out by her A Benedictine convent, a holy place of father once her mother died when she was spiritual dedication, a retreat from the three; after he died when she was , world to focus on prayer and doing God's she ended up with an abusive uncle.) We will. Led by the Abbess, the Mother are told Maria keeps more worldliness in Superior, whose word was to be her abbey life than do the others—she still seen as if it spoke the will of God. uses curlers, sings popular songs as well So the abbey is led by God the as devotional chants, gets sidetracked Father and a Mother Superior, the and does not strictly heed the ordered only intact parental unit at the start timetable of devotions. Maria cannot of the play. The nuns are wedded change this world, this order; she must to Christ and their vocation. The change ("form" herself) to fit it in order to Abbey works to a strict schedule stay. of activity and devotion or prayer; Biographical note: The actual Maria von it is a very ordered life (in fact, it's Trapp only found religion late in her teens; called an "order"). Its schedule is the uncle who raised her after her parents signaled by bells; Maria's nature died had been an atheist. After taking Nonnberg Abbey in does not quite fit this setting, this order— her education degree at 18 and hearing Salzberg, the oldest convent yet? ever? a powerful sermon when she attended a north of the Alps Maria's parents have died, and there is no concert in a church, she decided to give reference to siblings or other family; her her life to God, went to Salzburg, asked only connection is to the mountain. (In a policeman directions to the strictest that regard, this Maria is luckier than the convent, and was sent to Nonnberg Abbey.

The von Trapp villa Singing becomes harmony, a potent concept A three-story villa, sizable and well- for music and for family. When the Captain apportioned, comfortable and worldly. A returns from Vienna, he responds to "The family home, but this family has only one Sound of Music" the moment he hears do I need this pic? parent; the mother has died. his children singing, and he too sings As a former naval officer, Captain von Trapp once more—though he still has enough now runs his home like a ship—with aristocratic pride to be upset by his The Abbey's gate, "decorum and orderliness … discipline." children's playwear. well known from the film— In this regard, it is very like the abbey; it The third setting is, of course, Austria and its on which side does has regimen and hierarchy. We are told Alps. Maria belong? Franz the butler is "my orderly," and Frau Schmidt the housekeeper is "the executive officer." He instructs Maria in the whistle signals, which she rejects; she will not even try to "governess" by whistle, by signal. Not the military but the musical will define her approach—the note, the yodel, the melody. As the Captain leaves, he tells Maria, "you are in command." Maria sees the children's need and responds to it; she "ministers" with music. She is there to teach, and she The von Trapp villa in the Salzburg suburbs does—how to sing and how to learn while (Himmler used it as a headquarters during enjoying being a child, with play (a lesson World War II) the actual Maria never got to enjoy). Character, Crisis, and Choice/ 1

The Abbess The Abbess also equips Maria with more If ever there were a role model for the wise spiritual ballast, for on Broadway she offers her old woman archetype, it's the Abbess. In her the memory of "My Favorite Things." The song position, she has the responsibility to perceive is a shared memory, but wisely recalled at this and express the will of God regarding those moment to strengthen Maria—note that the song in her charge, a responsibility she wields with mentions an array of detail from life outside the clarity, firmness, and insight. abbey, not devotion in the abbey. In the film, of In considering Maria's future with the course, Maria is the dispenser of the song, not order—since as a postulant, Maria is at an "up or its recipient, during the thunderstorm. out" moment—the Abbess seeks others' views. Given the words of her song on the mountain Yet she has already begun to act by granting and in the Abbess' office, consider how many Maria the day on the mountain, "outside" time, meanings Maria's last line in the scene may letting Maria access all her responses. have: "I have been given permission to sing." In their relationship, the Reverend Mother When Maria later returns in emotional distress, A Benedictine Abbess. This is the teacher and Maria the pupil. When asked the Abbess is equally clear-sighted and firm: find is Laurentia McLachlan the most important lesson she's learned in the your true vocation; know what your calling is. (1866-1953), an authority abbey, Maria says, "To find out what is the will on music and medieval of God and to do it," even when it is hard to manuscripts who pioneered accept. The Abbess reminds Maria of that core restoring Gregorian chant. value before telling her she is being sent to help She entered a Scottish the von Trapp family for a time. abbey at 17 and died there at 87. Maria and Vocation­ Topics to Consider At the abbey Maria thought she had chosen • The Abbess has to give her life's path, but it seems that path may not be Maria news she does choosing her. How can she help feeling rejected not want to hear about by God? Does the Abbess ease this response? leaving the abbey for a time The Abbess asks her, "you weren't (perhaps forever?). Identify prepared for the way we live, were you?" Is she the strategy the Abbess any more prepared for life at the von Trapp villa? uses to help Maria hear and Perhaps. If teaching the Captain's children is a accept this decision. What distant second in Maria's interests and goals, values and steps does the she nonetheless approaches the task with Maria and Georg von Trapp Abbess employ in helping commitment and verve. If this is God's calling Maria accept and move for the moment, there is a need here she can involve a very different life and set of vows than forward with this transition? answer. she anticipated. Like the actual Maria von Trapp, this Maria The Abbess always knew Maria was a • Compare the two worlds immediately falls in love with the children and young woman full of life and love. Later she Maria finds herself in— they with her. Her every instinct proves golden asks Maria to consider how God wants her to abbey and villa—and what with them. Her nurturant impulses expand, but spend her love—which holy commitment she each asks of her. mothering poses other challenges. might make; God will not lose by either choice. Then assess Maria's The Captain's presence complicates And the commitment once made, compare strengths and weaknesses her response. He rejects, then accepts her Maria's backing of her husband's political views as a postulant and as a contribution. He is a strong personality, and with Elsa's response to those views earlier. governess. one who is coming back to life before her eyes thanks to the music. But while Liesl at 16 eagerly explores male/female dynamics, Maria is 22 going on 16. Any response from her would Character, Crisis, and Choice/ 2

The Captain and a Second Wife as wonderful as I." A merger with Elsa would be Captain von Trapp has had a career in quite different from his first marriage, which was which he excelled and a wife he adored both apparently a love match, but it would feed his snatched from him by fate—as a result of losing ego. Who is he and what are his values now? , Austria lost its seacoast His trajectory appears to be a second marriage territory and thus its navy, which had of convenience and a life of aristocratic social been his career, and then his wife whirl. Two elements affect that trajectory—Maria died, leaving him to raise their seven and the Nazis. children alone (with the help of staff). With the children's singing, Maria So in the musical the Captain has now unintentionally defibrillates him into emotional overlaid his professional world on his life again. Her presence keeps ambushing domestic one, running his home like him, as when he dances the Laendler with a ship, seeking military precision in her, each responding to the other with a spark. all things. Orders, not emotions. The She rejected the whistle; instead she offers Georg and Agathe Whitehead results are convenient if not healing, but not music and a person with rather than von Trapp, his first wife, who good for the children. sophistication. She's not an aristocrat; she's died of scarlet fever in 1922 His home life is in absentia, for he only an employee, the governess and moreover a after five of the children dashes in from Vienna for a day to hire another postulant in a holy order. contracted the disease during governess. Vienna's social scene has introduced So he follows through on or lets Elsa an epidemic at their school. him to an attractive widow, refined and wealthy. ensnare him into an engagement. Do the proper On Broadway, who this "new" Captain could turn thing, not the emotional. Yet fate in the form of into is defined in Act Two's "No Way to history once more intervenes to affect his life. Stop It" with its mantra of "Nothing else

The Austrians and the Nazis The Austrians are Germanic; they herself to the Nazis as to Georg. Only he sees speak German and share a culture with the underlying motives and the threat to his their neighbor. History divided them principles, his country, and his life. If he cannot into the Austro-Hungarian Empire and stop Austria's "alliance" with Germany, he can Prussian-led unified Germany in the stop his alliance with Elsa and that mindset, and 19th century, but they were kindred he does. This is his version of his finding true The von Trapp children the spirits. Various wars affected their vocation. He says Austria, which by that point is year before their mother relationship, especially the treaties ending World a loaded term for him, the cue for "Edelweiss." died. War I, which forbade their unification. Yet Hitler Rolf also gets swept up in the Nazi machine; wanted a Greater Germany, one that included early on, when caught by the Captain while Austria, and the question in 1938 Austria is: does trying to find Liesl, he desperately responds, being Germanic mean being Nazi? "Heil!" enraging von Trapp. When last we see The Nazis are coming; their takeover, in Rolf, he is in an S.S. uniform, a Hitler Youth history and the musical, is inevitable. What is figure. In fact, he is the one named character we to be done? The story keeps the Nazi threat see in a Nazi uniform. The responses triggered alive in every scene at the villa, but it heightens by that uniform in 1959 are unambiguous, but in the scenes with Elsa, Max, and the Captain. Rolf remains a person. When we saw him in Adult topics—the do-re-"me" of survival. Max is his earlier role as telegram deliverer, he told often on the telephone with Berlin, while Elsa Liesl, "I'll take care of you…," and the action Pictures from https://www. treats the Nazi threat as a temporary irritation; gives him the choice, a chance to live up to his georgandagathe.org/ it will go away. The Broadway song "No Way earlier pledge. He can choose the way he will history--georg---agathe.html to Stop It" actually includes a serious political "take care" of her. discussion. Elsa proves as ready to "engage" Historical Context: 1938 Austria and the Anschluss

Anschluss means 'joining,' 'union,' and it Austrian prime ministers during the 1930s is the term, actually the euphemism, used for tried to limit Nazi power but believed Hitler's Hitler's annexation of Austria on March 12, 1938, solemn promises to respect Austrian sovereignty. prior to World War II. It was a bold, strong-arm Hitler slowly forced the Austrians to accept Nazis move, an invasion presented under the p.r. into government positions, most notably the screen of aid requested by fellow Germans. police. By 1938 Hitler needed Austria's natural Treaties at the end of World War I forbade resources, especially iron, because he was in the union of Germany and an armaments race with the Allies and had fallen Austria, but the countries' behind his goals to produce an invincible war new constitutions laid machine. An Austrian merger vote scheduled out that goal. In 1925 in for March 13, 1938 was the tipping point. Lest Mein Kampf Hitler said the the Anschluss lose the vote, as he feared, Hitler countries must be unified invaded the day before, sending out false press "by any means possible" reports of Austrian riots and cries for help. The because "people of the next day Hitler returned to his homeland and same blood should be in was surprised by the warm welcome. He had the same Reich." When his Anschluss. he came to power in 1933, he pursued his "dream" to climb, cross, and conquer every mountain in pursuit One of the Nazi of a "Greater [Larger] campaign posters for the "reunification" Germany." The Austrian Empire prior to World of Austria with War I; notice its Adriatic seafront. In 1932 conditions had seemed favorable Germany in 1938: Post-war Austria was landlocked; for such a union, but after 1932 and Hitler's "one people, one the empire divided into Hungary, rise, Austrian sentiment shifted. A small Nazi realm, one leader" Czechoslovakia, Slovakia, Bosnia, cadre began mounting terrorist attacks, even , Slovenia, and parts given assassinating the Austrian chancellor in a coup to Ukraine and Romania (see other map). attempt. Geography 101: Switzerland Isn't Over That Mountain

"And once we're over If we needed more proof that mountain, we're in of Broadway and Hollywood's Switzerland." fictionalizing of history and facts —Maria in the script in pursuit of a "good," salable story, we need only look at that "Don't they know last sequence in The Sound of geography in Hollywood? Music in which the von Trapp Salzburg does not border family ostensibly walks over on Switzerland." the mountain into Swiss safety. —real Maria von Trapp Actually, Switzerland is 150 miles to the west of Salzburg. In 1938, "In Hollywood you make your own geography." on the other side of a Salzburg Alp was Nazi Germany; in fact, —, Hitler's summer retreat, Eagle's director of the film Nest, was only a few miles away. The Sound of Music

Austria after World War I Worksheet for The Sound of Music

PRE-SHOW 1. Maria wants to be a nun; the Captain is a retired officer in theAustrian Navy. What, if any, similarities are there between life in a convent and life in the military? Do they have anything in common?

2. What is the situation in a family without a mother? Are there any tensions? Might tensions arise if the father begins to think about remarriage? How do the children feel and respond? What is the best way to handle such a transition?

3. What are the tensions in the world around the villa in Salzburg? What is going on in The iconic image from the Austria and Europe in 1938? How do these events impact the action of the musical? 1965 film of The Sound of Music—Julie Andrews (Maria) in an Alpine meadow

POST-SHOW 4. Who are the major characters in The Sound of Music and what are their conflicts? Are there inner conflicts as well as external or interpersonal conflicts?

5. Musicals are driven by character and conflicts, as are all plays, but they are especially driven and defined by the music. Which songs address conflicts or tensions and which work to clarify or resolve them in The Sound of Music? What emotions prompt the characters into song?

6. Which song stands out as catchy or most appealing in this musical? Which song plays the most important role in the story of the musical? Are they the same song? Why or why not? The Sound of Music: Activities for Younger Students Favorite Things Children and Adult Politics • Listen to or look at the lyrics of the song • How often do you watch or listen to the "My Favorite Things." How many of news? If you do, how often do you see Maria's favorites are in nature (such children in the news? How and why? as raindrops and whiskers); how many Do the von Trapp children see and hear Speak/ Sing/ Dance are material things; how many are her about the changes in the larger world • Music is a major part of a own possessions? Is the song about around them? Do you hear about larger musical's emotional story. having and owning or about recognizing issues in the world? The general rule about beauty and a series of special moments is that perceiving something interesting or • Their father was an Austrian war hero in when words are no longer special? World War I, a brave and loyal naval officer enough, you sing, and when What do we learn about Maria from this list? who swore allegiance to Austria and its singing is no longer enough, emperor. you dance. • What does "favorite" mean? On what basis After the war, there was no longer an • Think of the musicals you does something become a "favorite"? How Austrian emperor or navy, but he still felt know from stage or film do we judge what is "good" (for us? for the power of his oath. When Germany (Disney musicals? others?). everyone?)? "unites" with or overruns Austria, the Does this general rule hold German navy wants him to serve in it and true in them? Examples? • Make a list of your favorite things or write it swear an oath of loyalty to Hitler. What • How often do characters like a song lyric in phrases (that rhyme?). reasons are there for joining the German sing in this musical? What Include perceptions as well as stuff. navy? What reasons are there for not prompts them to sing? What joining the German navy? What decision emotional state are they in? The Map, Austria, and History should Captain von Trapp make? What Is it always with the same • Look at a map of Europe or the world and does he decide? Why? What is he loyal to? emotion or do different find Austria. Locate the city of Salzburg emotions inspire song? How on the northwest Austrian border. What Music does that affect the song? country borders on Austria there? Then • The real von Trapp children learned to play • How often do characters locate Switzerland. Figure out how far it is musical instruments before they started dance in this musical? Why to walk to Switzerland from Salzburg. singing; their parents both played. Can you do they dance? Does the play a musical instrument? Which one? dance affect them? If so, • During the 1930s, gained What kinds of music do you play? how? Is that important to the leadership of Germany, but he had been Once Maria joined the family, they began to story? born in Austria. He wanted Germany to sing church music (masses), Austrian folk conquer and rule all of Europe. His first songs, and classical music. What kind of step was to join Austria with Germany music do you sing? What kinds of music do because both countries spoke German you like? Where do you sing? How often? and had a common heritage, but he really Do you sing alone or as a group? wanted their iron and steel industries for How does group singing work? What do you his military. Based on location, would it be have to pay attention to? easy for Germany to take over Austria? • What is your favorite song in the musical? • Hitler tried to get Austria to join him by Why? What do you think is the most working from inside Austria's government. important song for the action of the The word he kept using was Anschluss, musical? Why? The parade for Hitler's arrival the German word for "unite," suggesting after the Anschluss; the Germans provided the flags. their language already made them "one." • When do people sing in the musical? Do Do these children know what He did not mention what made them they use songs to state ideas, make they're waving and at whom? different—such as treatment of minorities. decisions, help themselves, or discover? Is someone like us in one thing always like Do you sing different songs when you're in us in all things? different moods or situations? Activities for The Sound of Music

Elements of the Musical History in the Musical • In musicals, the musical elements dominate. • For their musicals, Rodgers and How are songs and dance used in this Hammerstein are often drawn to stories musical? What kinds of situation arise with tensions that need reconciliation that prompt songs? What emotions get and understanding. Oklahoma!, their expressed? Does any song prompt a first collaboration, was built on the land- change or shift? Which one(s) and how, use tensions between the cowmen and why? Does a song resolve or clarify any the farmers in the Oklahoma territory. A situation? Which one(s), how, why? cowhand and a farm girl are the central love interest. In , intercultural • Since this production is using the film's song relationships arise between islanders The musical includes an adaptation sequence, have a group research the and the U.S. Army personnel stationed in of the Laendler, an Austrian folk Broadway songs that have been cut—the the Pacific islands during World War II. A dance. How is it used? (Photo from Elsa and Max songs, "How Can Love lieutenant from a wealthy American family the film, and Julie Andrews. Rodgers used the Survive" and "No Way to Stop It" and the falls in love with a native girl, and an Army "Lonely Goatherd" melody here; ballad "An Ordinary Couple." What is their nurse falls in love with a French emigrant how appropriate is that?) role in the Broadway version of the show? who has children by a native woman. The What part of the plot do they enlighten? King and I is set in 19th-century Siam Dance in This Musical Do they involve useful character insight or (Thailand), and the challenge is for the Speak, sing, dance is the usual decisions? Why might they be cut or, in the English schoolteacher hired by the King to progression of emotion in case of "An Ordinary Couple," replaced? understand his values and he hers. a musical. Rodgers and What historical intersection of values does Hammerstein's earlier • Which songs are most important to the plot The Sound of Music involve? Who does musicals often have big of the musical? How and why? the musical throw together and what is dance numbers—the dream Which songs are most important to the each set of values and loyalties? What are ballet in Oklahoma!, the emotional journey(s) of the musical? Why? the tensions? "Shall We Dance" number in The King and I, the talent • What is the central relationship in this • What larger historical forces are at work show and other moments in musical? What are its challenges? Are behind the interpersonal relationships in South Pacific. there other relationships that parallel or the musical? How important are those reflect on that one? larger forces? How and when do they • Are there big dance numbers impinge? How are they resolved? in The Sound of Music? • What conflicts and choices does each major Why? What dance is character face? How are they resolved? • How important was the Anschluss ["union," there? When? Why there? "joining" of Austria and Germany] in the What strong emotion gets • If the major characters are in the midst of buildup to World War II? What was Hitler's expressed in each instance? personal decisions and crises, who is strategy before war was actually declared? What is the effect of each available to be the cool head or advisor? What was the tipping point that brought dance? How many advisors are there in this on the declaration of war? Who were the musical? Who would you listen to? Why? warring forces on each side of World War • What is the role of dance in II? our culture? In your life? Art and Theatre Do you watch the dance • Design a poster for The Sound of Music. • Research the Austrain Aid effort made by competitions on tv? What What visual elements does the story the Trapp family after the war. They were kinds of dance do you like? suggest? Which visual elements are the in the U.S. trying to become citizens, but What role does the music best hook? Why? What is this musical they did not forget their homeland. What play? How athletic is dance really about? were the conditions there? Do we also see (especially if you watch the If you could only use one visual element, these family values in the play's action? tv competitions)? which one would it be and why? 2018-2019 SchoolFest Sponsors

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