Show Description & Character breakdown

 

Music by Richard Rodgers
Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse

​

The final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein was destined to become the world’s most beloved musical. Featuring a trove of cherished songs, including “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and the title number, The Sound of Music won the hearts of audiences worldwide, earning five Tony Awards and five Oscars. The inspirational story, based on the memoir of Maria Augusta Trapp, follows an ebullient postulate who serves as governess to the seven children of the imperious Captain von Trapp, bringing music and joy to the household. But as the forces of Nazism take hold of Austria, Maria and the entire von Trapp family must make a moral decision.

​

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

* In this show, the race of the characters is not pivotal to the plot. We will consider diversity and inclusion in our casting. 

* "Age" does not mean you must be that age.​

* All children, apart from their character description must be able to be conservative with their emotions and "serious".

​​

NUNS ENSEMBLE (featured ensemble, must be able to move)
Nuns, novices, and postulants who live in the Noonberg Abby. (Often double as other ensemble members.)

Gender: Female

Age to be played: 14+

Vocal range: E5 to C4

​

AUSTRIAN and NAZI ENSEMBLE (featured ensemble, strong actors, strong dancers/move well)
Nuns, novices, and postulants who live in the Noonberg Abby. (Often double as other ensemble members.)

Gender: [open]

Age to be played: 16+

Vocal range: Ensemble Singers

 

MARIA RAINER (musical theatre mix/soprano, dances/moves well)

The spirited postulant at Nonnberg Abbey. She is warm and compassionate – a lover of music who doesn't think twice about speaking her mind. Nearing the end of her novitiate, she is sent to serve as governess to the seven children of Captain von Trapp. Maria faces a crisis when, unexpectedly, she falls in love with the Captain.

Gender of Role: Female

Age to be played: 20-35

Vocal range: B5 to C4

​

CAPTAIN GEORG VON TRAPP (baritone, moves well)

A distinguished, retired Naval Lieutenant Commander whose regimented disposition represses a deep sadness from the loss of his wife. Often away on business or spending time with Baroness Schraeder abroad, the Captain remains loyal to his Austrian homeland as threats of Anschluss grow  serious. When Maria restores music to his household, the Captain reconnects with his children and falls unexpectedly in love with the governess.

Gender of Role: Male

Age to be played: 35-40+

Vocal range: D5 to F#2/Gb2

 

MAX DETWEILLER (tenor/baritone, moves well)


As a charming impresario and friend of the Captain’s, Max is looking for performers for the music festival. When he hears the family singing together, he knows they would be perfect. The Captain protests, but with the Anschluss approaching, Max comes up with a plan.

Gender: Male

Age to be played: 30+

Vocal range: F4-D3

 

ELSA SHCHRADER (mezzo soprano, moves well)


A wealthy, sophisticated widow, she has her eyes set firmly on the Captain. She is a businesswoman, (not particularly fond of children), who believes the way to deal with the  political situation is not to fight it and let it pass. She and the Captain realize they don’t see the future the same way.

Gender: Female

Age to be played: 35 to 45

Vocal range: F5 to D4

 

MOTHER ABESS (legit soprano, wide vocal range, very strong actress) 


The Superior of Nonnberg Abbey, Mother Abbess sees the novices through the process of becoming a nun, guiding and inspiring them as they weigh their decision. Firm and authoritative, yet warm and compassionate, Mother Abbess sends Maria to the von Trapp house, sensing she should experience being a governess… and gives vital support ti the family  support through rise of the Anschluss.

Gender: Female

Age to be played: 30+

Vocal range: G#5/Ab5 to B3

​

SISTER BERTHE (mezzo/alto, moves well)


Mistress of Novices, prudish, straight laced with a quick tongue, she is less tolerant than other nuns.

Gender: Female

Age to be played: [open]

Vocal range: E5 to C4

 

SISTER MARGARETTA (mezzo/soprano, moves well) 


Mistress of Postulants, very kind, understanding and concerned.

Gender: Female

Age to be played: [open]

Vocal range: E5 to B3

 

SISTER SOPHIA (mezzo/soprano, moves well)

Neither demanding nor critical, sticks with the rules.

Gender: Female

Age to be played: [open]

Vocal range: E5 to B3

 

FRANZ 


The von Trapp butler, rather formal but not without spirit, he is very German and loyal to the Fascist cause.

Gender: Any Gender

Age to be played: [open]

Vocal range: Ensemble Singer

​​

FRAU SCHMIDT
The housekeeper, stoic, very little personality; she does her job efficiently but without affection. Strong and somewhat dominating. (Often doubles as an other ensemble member.)

Gender: Female

Age to be played: [open]

Vocal range: Ensemble Singer

​​

HERR ZELLER
Stern and unsmiling, a typical Nazi official whose primary concern is to see that everyone toes the line. (Often doubles as an other ensemble member.)

Gender: Male

Age to be played: 30+

Vocal range: Ensemble Singer

​

ROLF GRUBER  (low tenor/baritone, dances/moves well) 


A delivery boy who is interested in Liesl, he is an impressionable teen, aware of the growing political tension. He is caught between his affection for Liesl and a need to prove his manhood with the Nazi uprising.

Gender: Male

Age to be played: 17

Vocal range: E5 to C4

​

LIESL VON TRAPP (mezzo, dances/moves well)


Liesl is at that awkward age between childhood and adulthood and assumes a maternal role with her younger siblings. She is still naïve and in need of her own guidance. She is secretly seeing Rolf, a young delivery boy who is on the verge of being swept up in the approaching Anschluss.

Gender of Role: Female

Age to be played: 16

Vocal range: E5 to B3

​

FRIEDRICH VON TRAPP (tenor, dances/moves well)


The oldest boy in the family he remembers what the von Trapp house was like before his mother passed away. He is attempting to be a confident young man, but with his father often traveling, he lacks guidance.

Gender: Male

Age to be played: 14

Vocal range: G5 to C4

​

LOUISA VON TRAPP (mezzo, dances/moves well)

Misses her mother very much, she has become quite skilled at playing tricks on the governesses, but with Maria, it seems she's met her match.

Gender: Female

Age to be played: 13

Vocal range: G5 to C4

​

KURT VON TRAPP (countertenor/falsetto, dances/moves well)


The youngest boy, Kurt is sensitive and pretends not to be hurt by his father's absence. Though he misses his mother, Kurt greatly appreciates Maria from the start.

Gender of Role: Male

Age to be played: 10

Vocal range: G5 to C4

​

BRIGITTA VON TRAP (mezzo, dances/moves well)


A keenly observant child for her age, She is thoughtful and, as she says, “cannot tell a lie.”

Gender: Female

Age to be played: 9

Vocal range: G5 to C4

​

MARTA VON TRAPP (mezzo, dances/moves well)


One of the quietest Von Trapps. She loves the color pink, is very inquisitive, smart and gentle.Very honest and forthright. Marta likes to enjoy herself!

Gender: Female

Age to be played: 7

Vocal range: G5 to C4

​

GRETL VON TRAPP (mezzo, dances/moves well)


The youngest Von Trapp. She is very quiet when first introduced by her father. She is sweet, loving and wants attention. She must have the cute, adorable and endearing factor. 

Gender: Female

Age to be played: 5

Vocal range: Ensemble Singer

​

BARON ELBERFELD (featured ensemble, moves well)

A neighbor of the Von Trapps and one of the “Old Guards” of Austria - violently opposed to the takeover of his beloved country by Nazi Germany. Can double with other roles in the ensemble. The baron attends the ball thrown by Captain Von Trapp in Elsa’s honor. (Often doubles as an other ensemble member.)

Gender: Male

Age to be played: 30+

Vocal range: Ensemble Singer

​

BARONESS ELBERFELD (featured ensemble, moves well)
A neighbor of Captain Von Trapp and wife to the Baron Elberfeld. (Often doubles as an other ensemble member.)

Gender: Female

Age to be played: 30+

Vocal range: Ensemble Singer

​

ADMIRAL VON SCHREIBER (featured ensemble)
An important figure in the Austrian Navy and appears to be much respected by Captain Von Trapp. He has obviously agreed to be part of the new regime with Germany. He arrives to collect Captain Von Trapp and bring him to Berlin. (Often doubles as an other ensemble member.)

Gender: Male

Age to be played: 30+

Vocal range: Ensemble Singer

​

A NEW POSTULANT (featured ensemble, mezzo/soprano, moves well)
A smart, well-dressed young girl who has a walk-on moment only. Can come from the nun ensemble. (Often doubles as an other ensemble member.)

Gender: Female

Age to be played: 16+

Vocal range: E5 to B3

​

SAENGERBUND OF HERWEGEN TRIO (featured ensemble, playful, energetic, happy)
Three-person performance group who wins 3rd place in the Festival Concert. Can come from Dance Ensemble. (Often double as other ensemble members.)

Gender: [open]

Age to be played: 16+

Vocal range: Ensemble Singers

​

HERR or FRAULEIN SCHWEIGER (featured ensemble, overly appreciative)
Female performer who wins 2nd place in the Festival Concert. Can come from the Dance Ensemble. (Often doubles as an other ensemble member.)

Gender: [open]

Age to be played: 16+

Vocal range: Ensemble Singer