Character Breakdown
ADULT MALE CHARACTERS:
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. The Captain is a widower with seven children who is strong and firm with a hidden softness.
Max Detweiller Charming and vital; a man of sophistication who enjoys the good life; true and loyal friend to the von Trapp family.
Herr Zeller The Gauleiter - a sort of district governor appointed by the Nazi Regime to prepare the Anschluss. He is overbearing, arrogant and autocratic, self-important and pompous. Stern and unsmiling, a typical Nazi official whose primary concern is to see that everyone toes the line.
Franz The von Trapp butler, rather formal but not without spirit, he is very German and loyal to the Fascist cause. Originally a sort of protector to Captain Von Trapp in the Navy, he is now retired into this position as valet, which he carries out with somber efficiency. He is humorless and appears harmless but underneath we discover he is secretly plotting with the Nazi party..
Admiral von Schreiber 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.
Baron Elberfeld A neighbor of Captain Von Trapp and one of the “Old Guards” of Austria, violently opposed to the takeover of his beloved country by Nazi Germany.
ADULT FEMALE CHARACTERS:
Maria Rainer A postulant at Nonnberg Abbey – young, free spirited, warm, gentle and kind with much determination. Maria is a sweet young postulant whose love of freedom makes it obvious to her superiors that she is not suited for religious life at the Nonnberg Abby. Maria is full of energy, passionate, country girl who has a charming but gawky, awkward physicality and personality, naive, naughty, witty, strong-minded and tomboyish. Needs to have an obvious connection with children and an ability to relate at their level.
Mother Abbess (legit soprano) Understanding, strong and authoritative, but kind. A true big-hearted mother figure, loved, adored and respected.
Baroness Elsa Schrader A baroness of taste and elegance, sophisticated, dignified and mature. A very wealthy widow, who is president of her late husband’s corporation. Clever and canny and very much into making a good social arrangement
Sister Berthe Mistress of Novices, prudish, straight laced with a quick tongue, she is less tolerant than other nuns.
Sister Margaretta Mistress of Postulants, very kind, understanding and concerned.
Sister Sophia Neither demanding nor critical, sticks with the rules.
Frau Schmidt The housekeeper, stoic, very little personality; she does her job efficiently but without affection. Going slightly deaf, very little personality; she does her job efficiently but without affection. She is strong and somewhat dominating. 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, respected member of the staff.
Baroness Elberfeld A neighbor of Captain Von Trapp and wife to the Baron Elberfeld.
LEAD CHILDREN / YOUTH ROLES:
All children / youth, apart from their character description must be able to be conservative with their emotions and “serious”.
Please note the ages listed are the ages of the characters, not necessarily of the actors / actresses.
Liesl von Trapp (mezzo, dance, 16) 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.
Friedrich von Trapp (age 14) Tough exterior, very much trying to be “the man” of the family.
Louisa von Trapp (age 13) Likes to play tricks on people and is quite a tomboy; Rebellious attitude. She misses her mother a great deal.
Kurt von Trapp (age 10) Gentle and mischievous.
Brigitta von Trapp (age 9) She is a smart avid reader, always says what she thinks and observes well.
Marta von Trapp (age 7) Very sweet and gentle.
Gretl von Trapp (age 5) Sweet and loving-doll-like and wants attention. Must have the cute factor.
Rolf Gruber (low tenor, dance, 17) Suitor to Liesl, telegram delivery boy, later Nazi soldier. A very pleasant young man, somewhat aggressive but in a gentle way.
ADULT MALE CHARACTERS:
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. The Captain is a widower with seven children who is strong and firm with a hidden softness.
Max Detweiller Charming and vital; a man of sophistication who enjoys the good life; true and loyal friend to the von Trapp family.
Herr Zeller The Gauleiter - a sort of district governor appointed by the Nazi Regime to prepare the Anschluss. He is overbearing, arrogant and autocratic, self-important and pompous. Stern and unsmiling, a typical Nazi official whose primary concern is to see that everyone toes the line.
Franz The von Trapp butler, rather formal but not without spirit, he is very German and loyal to the Fascist cause. Originally a sort of protector to Captain Von Trapp in the Navy, he is now retired into this position as valet, which he carries out with somber efficiency. He is humorless and appears harmless but underneath we discover he is secretly plotting with the Nazi party..
Admiral von Schreiber 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.
Baron Elberfeld A neighbor of Captain Von Trapp and one of the “Old Guards” of Austria, violently opposed to the takeover of his beloved country by Nazi Germany.
ADULT FEMALE CHARACTERS:
Maria Rainer A postulant at Nonnberg Abbey – young, free spirited, warm, gentle and kind with much determination. Maria is a sweet young postulant whose love of freedom makes it obvious to her superiors that she is not suited for religious life at the Nonnberg Abby. Maria is full of energy, passionate, country girl who has a charming but gawky, awkward physicality and personality, naive, naughty, witty, strong-minded and tomboyish. Needs to have an obvious connection with children and an ability to relate at their level.
Mother Abbess (legit soprano) Understanding, strong and authoritative, but kind. A true big-hearted mother figure, loved, adored and respected.
Baroness Elsa Schrader A baroness of taste and elegance, sophisticated, dignified and mature. A very wealthy widow, who is president of her late husband’s corporation. Clever and canny and very much into making a good social arrangement
Sister Berthe Mistress of Novices, prudish, straight laced with a quick tongue, she is less tolerant than other nuns.
Sister Margaretta Mistress of Postulants, very kind, understanding and concerned.
Sister Sophia Neither demanding nor critical, sticks with the rules.
Frau Schmidt The housekeeper, stoic, very little personality; she does her job efficiently but without affection. Going slightly deaf, very little personality; she does her job efficiently but without affection. She is strong and somewhat dominating. 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, respected member of the staff.
Baroness Elberfeld A neighbor of Captain Von Trapp and wife to the Baron Elberfeld.
LEAD CHILDREN / YOUTH ROLES:
All children / youth, apart from their character description must be able to be conservative with their emotions and “serious”.
Please note the ages listed are the ages of the characters, not necessarily of the actors / actresses.
Liesl von Trapp (mezzo, dance, 16) 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.
Friedrich von Trapp (age 14) Tough exterior, very much trying to be “the man” of the family.
Louisa von Trapp (age 13) Likes to play tricks on people and is quite a tomboy; Rebellious attitude. She misses her mother a great deal.
Kurt von Trapp (age 10) Gentle and mischievous.
Brigitta von Trapp (age 9) She is a smart avid reader, always says what she thinks and observes well.
Marta von Trapp (age 7) Very sweet and gentle.
Gretl von Trapp (age 5) Sweet and loving-doll-like and wants attention. Must have the cute factor.
Rolf Gruber (low tenor, dance, 17) Suitor to Liesl, telegram delivery boy, later Nazi soldier. A very pleasant young man, somewhat aggressive but in a gentle way.