Sound of Music: Youth Edition
Musical
Writers:Howard Lindsay Russel Crouse Richard Rodgers Oscar Hammerstein II
Overview
Synopsis
The final collaboration between Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II, The Sound of Music, has become a play beloved around the world. Based on the true story of the Von Trapp Family Singers, this play captures a personal tale of growth and hope amidst the horrors of World War II. The Sound of Music tells the tale of young postulant Maria Rainer, whose free spirit has trouble fitting into the rules and regulations of Nonnberg Abbey. Commissioned by the Mother Abbess to serve as the governess for seven motherless children, Maria transforms the Von Trapp family home from a place of dour rules and regulations to one filled with joy, with laughter, and with music. In the process, Maria wins the hearts of all seven children--and their widower father, Captain Von Trapp. With the Mother Abbess’ blessing, and to the children’s delight, Maria follows her heart, and Maria and the Captain marry. Upon returning home from their honeymoon, Maria and the Captain learn that their beloved Austria has been taken over by the Nazis, and the retired Captain is asked to report for immediate service in the Nazi Navy. When the Nazis show up at their door to take Captain Von Trapp away, it is a family singing engagement (wily navigated by their friend Max) that buys the family time to make their narrow escape. Their Austrian convictions compel Maria, the Captain, and the children to flee over the mountains of Switzerland to safety, taking the words of the Mother Abbess to heart: “Climb Every Mountain… till you find your dream.”
Show Information
- Book
- Howard Lindsay , Russel Crouse
- Music
- Richard Rodgers
- Lyrics
- Oscar Hammerstein II
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 1
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Historical/Biographical
- Settings
- Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- Austria, 1938
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- Recording
- Dancing
- Some Dance
- Licensor
- Concord Theatricals
- Ideal For
- Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, High School, Elementary School, Large Cast, Middle School, Mostly Female Cast, Star Vehicle Female, Includes Child, Early Teen, Late Teen Characters
Context
The Sound of Music is based on the real-life story of the Von Trapp Family singers, who escaped Austria when it was invaded by Germany during World War II, and then proceeded to tour the world as a singing family before settling in Canada. Their story is documented in a memoir entitled The Story of the Trapp Family Singers, by Maria Von Trapp. Rodgers and Hammerstein were first approached by actress Mary Martin about writing a song for a play-with-music she and her husband were writing, based
to read the context for Sound of Music: Youth Edition and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
The scene opens in the Nonnberg Abbey in Austria, where the nuns are observing mass. (“Preludium: Dixit Dominus”) All the nuns and postulants are in attendance – except Maria. A search ensues. Meanwhile, Maria has lost track of time, enjoying the beauty of nature out in the hills around the town, and singing – which, we later learn, is against the nuns’ rules. They are only to sing in church. (“The Sound of Music”) The next morning, back at the abbey, Mother Abbess and the nuns discuss which
to read the plot for Sound of Music: Youth Edition and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Countertenor, Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Treble/Boy Soprano, Contralto, Bass-Baritone |
Songs
- Preludium (Morning Hymn, Angelus Bells, Alleluia) - The Nuns of Nonnberg Abbey
- The Sound of Music – Maria and Ensemble
- Maria - Sisters Berthe, Sophia, Margaretta and Mother Abbess
- My Favorite Things - Maria and Mother Abbess
- Do-Re-Mi - Maria and the Von Trapp Children
- Sixteen Going on Seventeen - Rolf and Liesl
- The Lonely Goatherd - Maria and the Children
- The Sound of Music (Reprise) - The Children and Capt. Von Trapp
- So Long, Farewell - The Children and Capt. Von Trapp
- Climb Ev'ry Mountain - Mother Abbess and the Nuns
- My Favorite Things (Reprise) - The Children and Maria
- Do-Re-Mi (Reprise) - Maria, Capt. Von Trapp and the Children
- Edelweiss - Capt. Von Trapp, Maria and the Children
- Finale Ultimo - The Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
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