From The Director:
The Sound of Music: it’s a classic, and one that every high school attempts to do at some point. So when the students asked if we could put it on the schedule, I thought, why not? It’s a great story, there are LOTS of parts for women, and best of all, everyone loves it, so off we went to Austria and the story of the Trapp family Singers.
Of course, the story is based in truth. Maria really was a novice at the Abbey, and Captain Von Trapp really was the widowed father of seven children. The true story of this family, is not heavy drama, as Maria Von Trapp said in an interview in 2003, "We did tell people that we were going to America to sing. And we did not climb over mountains with all our heavy suitcases and instruments. We left by train, pretending nothing." In all reality Maria and Georg were married 11 years prior to the Anschluss and Georg was actually a warm caring father who wanted music in his children’s lives. But this is musical theatre, and the authors took the basics of the story to create a well-loved family drama adding music we adore and a message to remember.
The stage version of Sound of Music has another point to make, one about the importance of moral courage and not knuckling under to the events of the world. When this musical was created in 1957, the US was in the throes of the Communist with hunts of the 1950’s, Joseph McCarthy’s House Un-American activities committee called many people forward to name names. Some refused, some caved in and complied. As a result many lives and careers were ruined. Not surprisingly this world influenced the writers of this show. The themes of the importance of integrity, of standing up for what you believe and keeping your moral strength are ones that are still important today.
This musical was also the last show Rodger’s and Hammerstein would write together, Hammerstein died of cancer shortly before the Oscar Winning Movie opened in 1960. Edelweiss was the last song they collaborated on.
I love this show, I remember falling in love with the movie when I was a child, and I’m so glad I got the chance to direct this show with these students. They are truly amazing young men and women, each and every one of them. I hope you enjoy the show, and take something away from it, a bit of joy or a bit of laughter, they’re all here, along with the message that you have the right to stand up for what you believe.
As the mother superior sings, ”Climb every mountain, search high and low…follow every rainbow….till you find your dream.”
Enjoy the show.
Glen Carpenter
