CAST OF CHARACTERS All cast members must be strong singers and actors unless otherwise stated below. MARIA RAINER - a 21-year-old sweet young postulant whose love of freedom makes it obvious to her superiors that she is not suited for religious life at the Abbey. Since Maria was raised on the Austrian countryside she shows a charming but gawky and awkward physicality and personality. She is naive, naughty, witty, strong-minded, and tomboyish. She grew up an orphan, and has used her resourcefulness, intelligence and inner confidence to overcome the difficulties of her early life. The real Maria Von Trapp told Julie Andrews, “I’m glad you are playing her as a tomboy, because that’s the way I was when I was young.” In an interview, she described herself as “wild in that time. I had no manners. I was more boy than a girl.” Maria is warm, gentle and kind with much determination, caring and committed. There is a part of her that wants sheltering from the uncertainties of the outside world as well, and that, coupled with her absolute faith in God’s will, is what has led her to seek a life as a nun. Maria is full of energy, and a passionate, country girl. Needs to have an obvious connection with children and an ability to relate at their level. Looking to cast a spirited and charming actress, though must also occasionally portray a woman filled with self-doubt. The actor must have versatility, a powerful voice, great sense of natural humor, and ability to move well. (Classic musical theatre mix/soprano, chest mix with strong head voice. Must be able to dance. Guitar playing a plus!)
Songs Sung: The Sound Of Music, My Favorite Things, Do-Re-Mi, The Lonely Goatherd, Something Good, Sixteen Going On Seventeen (reprise), Edelweiss, So Long, Farewell (Reprise)
CAPTAIN GEORG VON TRAPP – Looking to cast a strong actor, commanding presence to play this retired naval officer and proud Austrian. Educated, polished, highly organized and regimented, efficient in the way he runs his life, his home and his children’s lives. This bereaved widower is trying to make his way in the world with seven children after losing everything. First his job, then his wife He was a Naval man living in a country … that lost its coastal areas, feeling he no longer had a place in the world. On top of which he lost his beloved wife. He no longer knew what his role was. His unconscious defense has been to push his children away and remove himself from the home that reminds him too much of what he has lost, resulting in a cool, detached exterior; underneath, he is warm, understanding, and as much in need of love himself as are his children. Looking to cast an actor who can capture the grief-stricken nature of this 46-year-old real, true-to-life man and less of the tyrannical eccentricity of the stern character as played in other appearances. (Baritone. As for dance ability, must be able to “move” well. Guitar playing a plus!)
Songs Sung: How Can Love Survive, The Sound Of Music (reprise), No Way To Stop It, Something Good, Do-Re-Me-reprise, Edelweiss, So Long, Farewell (Reprise) THE MOTHER ABBESS - Motherly, wise but understanding, strong and authoritative, but kind. She is Maria’s guiding light. Her years have brought her wisdom, patience and inner confidence. Looking to cast a strong actress who can find some of the comic moments in her scenes. (Mezzo or legit soprano with a wide vocal range and powerful chest and head voice (B-Ab).)
Songs Sung: Dixit Dominus, Alleluia, Maria, My Favorite Things, Morning Hymn, Climb Every Mountain, Gaudeamus Domino, Maria (Reprise), Fonfitemini Domino, Climb Every Mountain (reprise)
Three Featured Nuns at the Abbey: All are frustrated with Marian’s inability to settle into the lifestyle of the Abbey.
Songs Sung: Dixit Dominus, Alleluia, Maria, Morning Hymn, Gaudeamus Domino, Maria (Reprise), Fonfitemini Domino, Climb Every Mountain (reprise)
SISTER BERTHE - Mistress of Novices, who is prudish, straight laced with a quick tongue; may be a little pompous. Less tolerant and more critical than the other nuns, finding all the faults in Maria’s conduct. She might be the type of nun in Catholic School who would probably enjoy using a ruler on your knuckles. (alto, moves well)
SISTER MARGARETTA - Mistress of Postulants, very kind, understanding and concerned. Has a good sense of humor, and so appreciates what is amusing in Maria’s conduct. Could one day be made a saint. (mezzo, moves well)
SISTER SOPHIA - Neither demanding nor critical, sticks with the rules. Dutiful and kind-takes the middle road to avoid controversy. (Soprano, moves well)
MAX DETWEILER - Charming and vital theatrical agent; a man of sophistication who enjoys the good life, which he can’t afford, so as personal friend he avails himself of the Captain’s generosity at every opportunity and serves as a pseudo “uncle” to his children. This witty impresario is clever at his job and can be charmingly pushy when pursuing what he wants. He is practical and sees the coming of Nazi rule as unavoidable, so one must “accommodate”, which brings him into conflict with the Captain. He serves the new Regime as First Secretary of Education and Culture so we are not exactly sure whose side he is on until his last moments. Ultimately, he proves a true and loyal friend to the Von Trapp family. Requires a strong character actor with good sense of comedy. Witty and humorous personality of the show. (Tenor/Baritone. Must be able to move well.)
Songs Sung: How Can Love Survive, No Way to Stop It
ELSA SCHRAEDER - A wealthy widow of taste and elegance who is president of her late husband’s corporation. This sophisticated, dignified, worldly and mature widow is accustomed to city life in Vienna versus that of the “country” estate she finds herself whisked away to. Elsa uses her charming wit to win over the Captain and through her clever scheming establishes a good social arrangement with Von Trapp rather than a massive love match. She has affection for the Captain in a measured way; he represents good social standing and a continuation of the comfortable, luxurious lifestyle she enjoys. Furthermore, she tolerates the children, but would most likely send them off to boarding school, so she and the Captain could spend most of their time in Vienna. Like Max, she will find a way to accommodate the coming Anschluss. (Legit-mezzo soprano range (A-E below high C). Must move well.)
Songs Sung: How Can Love Survive, No Way to Stop It
FRANZ - Formerly the Captain’s ships orderly (a soldier who carries out orders or performs minor tasks for an officer) and therefore a sort of protector to Captain Von Trapp during that time in the Navy. The faithful butler has now retired into a position as valet, which he carries out with somber efficiency. Franz is rather formal but not without spirit. Looking for someone who can balance that with their own personal comic timing. He is very patriotic to his county and chillingly we find his loyalty moves very swiftly to the fascist party - right under the von Trapp's noses. Might he have become a major threat had the family not escaped? (Non-singing. Non-dancing.)
FRAU SCHMIDT - Strong and somewhat dominating with very little personality. The loftily unamused housekeeper, rather stoic, but with a guarded sense of humor; she does her job efficiently but without affection because she knows how to run the household as the Captain wishes it. She has been around a long time and hates the way she is treated with whistles by the Baron. It affects her dignity. She appears to be a thoroughly reliable member of the staff and respected by all. This is a non-singing role for a fine comic actress. (Non-singing/dancing role.)
The Children of Captain von Trapp: All children, apart from their character description, must be able to be conservative with their emotions and “serious” – especially during the beginning moments where they are introduced. They must be able to move to music, follow instruction and have fun!
LIESL - The eldest child, 16, a teen on the verge of womanhood; pretty but unsophisticated and tends to think everything is wonderful, but is it? Growing up fast with no maternal role model, Liesl has a developed a maternal outlook to fill the void and cares very deeply for her younger siblings. She represents the classic “juvenile” romantic plot: the naïve innocent who is initially infatuated with an “experienced” boy (in this case Rolf). Initially she believes herself “too old to need a governess”; she discovers otherwise. (chest mix with a head voice (low G-F#).) Must be a strong dancer. Guitar playing a plus! (also sings Sixteen Going on Seventeen)
FRIEDRICH, This 14 year old is proud to be “a boy” in this family of mostly girls, and an often-absent father who he desperately needs. Tough exterior, but what’s hiding beneath? Guitar playing a plus! (Falsetto?)
LOUISA, This 13 year old “tomboy” is the trickster of the family, full of mischief and rebellious attitude – especially to the past governesses. But what’s behind it? A broken heart yearning for attention over the loss of her mother (and father).
KURT, (pronounced “Court” in the German dialect) This 10/11 year old is questioning and adorable. He is a very respectful lad with excellent manners who tries to act manly and “grown up” but it is plainly obvious he is young and still discovering himself. Gentle and a peacemaker. He dances the Laendler with Maria. (Falsetto?)
BRIGITTA, This 9 year old is somewhat independent, smart, and enjoys reading. She is also very honest and not afraid of speaking her mind always telling the truth about what she thinks and observes, even when it may be inappropriate. She is suspicious of ‘Uncle’ Max.
MARTA, This 7 year old is very sweet, innocent and gentle. Very inquisitive and smart. She is quite girly, much the little princess; pink is her favorite color.
GRETL, The youngest Von Trapp who warms to Maria straight away because she just wants to be loved. Looking to cast a young little actress who is ready to learn many more lines than someone at such a young age would normally be able to remember. Must have the “cute factor”.
Songs Sung: Do-Re-Mi, The Lonely Goatherd, The Sound Of Music (Reprise), So Long, Farewell, My Favorite Things (Reprise), So Long, Farewell (Reprise)
ROLF GRUBER - The other part of the juvenile romantic plot is the 17-year-old telegram delivery boy, later drawn into the Nazi youth movement. A very pleasant young man, somewhat aggressive but in a gentle and respectful way. He and Liesl have fallen in love, and they look for every opportunity to see one another. As the story develops we see how he realizes he cares for 'more important things' turning his back on Liesl and her family. He seems to know an enormous amount of what is going on because of his job and seems to relish his spying tactics. (Tenor, ideally a strong singer and very good dancer.)
Song Sung: Sixteen Going on Seventeen
ENSEMBLE:
HERR ZELLER – Stern and unsmiling, bureaucratic neighbor, who becomes an early Nazi official, the “Gauleiter”. He is critical of the Captain’s loyalties to the old Austria, and ultimately, as an official of the Third Reich (whose primary concern is to see that everyone toes the line), leads the move to take the Captain into Nazi naval service; hard-nosed, inflexible. If there is a villain in the piece, it’s him. (Non-singing.) BARON ELBERFELD – A neighbor of the Von Trapps, and the head of the oldest family in the valley. The baron attends the ball thrown by Captain Von Trapp in Elsa’s honor. Not in favor of the new regime and, like the Captain, loyal and faithful Austrian opposed to the Anschluss. Older, sophisticated. Can double with other roles in the ensemble. BARONESS ELBERFELD - A neighbor of the Von Trapps, the baron attends the ball thrown by Captain Von Trapp in Elsa’s honor. Follows her husband’s political leanings. Older, sophisticated.
ADMIRAL VON SCHREIBER - (non-singing, 40+, strong actor) He has agreed to be part of the new regime with Germany as Admiral of the Navy of the Third Reich and arrives to escort the Captain to his forced commission. Von Schreiber appears more flexible and accommodating than Zeller, and there is an aire of respect by Captain von Trapp so one has to wonder: did they serve and know each other previously? URSULA - Part of the Von Trapp staff. (Non-singing)
SISTER BERNICE (Non-singing)
A NEW POSTULANT - A smart, well-dressed young girl who has a walk-on moment only-no dialogue. Also part of the nun ensemble. (non-singing) SAENGERBUND OF HERWEGEN - A trio who wins 3rd place in the Festival Concert.
FRAULEIN SCHWEIGER (Non-singing) Female performer who wins 2nd place in the Festival Concert. Can be played either silly, or elegantly depending on the actress selected. Strong actors and singers needed to compose the nuns, novices, and postulants who live in the Nonnberg Abby. Salzburg citizens, and Georg’s friends of naval background, who “ballroom” dance The Grand Waltz and The Laendler when attending Captain Von Trapp’s party in honor of the Baroness. Strong actors needed to portray the Catholic Priest and religious participants in the wedding of the Captain and Maria. Strong actors needed to perform the onstage roles for the Nazi soldiers.