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)

A postulant at Nonnberg Abbey – young, free spirited, warm, gentle and kind with much determination.

Gender of Role: Female

Age to be played: 20-35

Vocal range: B5 to C4

​

CAPTAIN GEORG VON TRAPP (baritone, moves well)

A retired Austrian naval captain. Polished, yet very military in the way he runs his life to repress his sadness over the death of his wife; underneath, he is warm, understanding, and determined.

Gender of Role: Male

Age to be played: 35-40+

Vocal range: D5 to F#2/Gb2

 

MAX DETWEILLER (tenor/baritone, moves well)


Charming and vital; a man of sophistication who enjoys the good life; true and loyal friend to the von Trapp family.

Gender: Male

Age to be played: 30+

Vocal range: F4-D3

 

ELSA SHCHRADER (mezzo soprano, moves well)


A baroness of taste and elegance, sophisticated, dignified and mature.

Gender: Female

Age to be played: 35 to 45

Vocal range: F5 to D4

 

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


Motherly, understanding, strong and authoritative, but kind.

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) 


Suitor to Liesl, telegram delivery boy, later Nazi soldier. A very pleasant young man, somewhat aggressive but in a gentle way.

Gender: Male

Age to be played: 17

Vocal range: E5 to C4

​

LIESL VON TRAPP (mezzo, dances/moves well)


The oldest child, blossoming into a young lady with an interest in boys. She has a maternal edge to her and cares very deeply for her younger siblings.

Gender of Role: Female

Age to be played: 16

Vocal range: E5 to B3

​

FRIEDRICH VON TRAPP (tenor, dances/moves well)


Tough exterior, very much trying to be “the man” of the family.

Gender: Male

Age to be played: 14

Vocal range: G5 to C4

​

LOUISA VON TRAPP (mezzo, dances/moves well)

Rebellious attitude.

Gender: Female

Age to be played: 13

Vocal range: G5 to C4

​

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


Gentle and mischievous.

Gender of Role: Male

Age to be played: 10

Vocal range: G5 to C4

​

BRIGITTA VON TRAP (mezzo, dances/moves well)


Smart, reads a lot.

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.

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