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Cast (in order of appearance)
Maria Rainer, a postulant .............................................. Michelle Allsop Mother Abbess ................................................................. Allene Halliday Sister Berthe, Mistress of Novices.................................. Linda Bartram Sister Margaretta, Mistress of Postulants.............. Rosemary Thayer Sister Sophia ............................................................................. Vicky Cobb Frau Schmidt, the housekeeper .............................................. Vera Ryan Captain Georg von Trapp ............................................ Darryl MacKenzie Franz, the butler ................................................................. Werner Thayer The von Trapp Children: Liesl ..................................................................................... Kaylee Harris Friedrich ...................................................................... Caleb MacKenzie Louisa ............................................................................ Marissa Bennett Kurt .............................................................................. Wesley Frederick Brigitta ........................................................................... Christen Rausch Marta ............................................................................. Ekiah Gustavson Gretl .................................................................................... Maxine Houle Rolf Gruber ..................................................................... Alastair Heinrichs Elsa Schraeder .............................................................. Penelope Johnson Max Detweiler ....................................................................... Michael Ryan The Dinner Guests: Herr Zeller .......................................................................... Patrick Turner Frau Zeller ............................................................. Jennifer Mapplebeck Baron Elberfeld ................................................................. David Badger A New Postulant ........................................................ Chenoa MacKenzie Admiral von Schreiber ......................................................... David Badger Herwegen Saengerbund Singers: Aimee Grice, Birgit MacKenzie, & Chenoa MacKenzie Fraulein Schweiger ....................................................... Diane Gludovatz Nuns Chorus: Linda Bartram, Tina Brisson, Chelsea Cameron-Horner, Alicia Cia, Vicky Cobb, Joan Duncan, Carol Fairweather, Vickie Frederick, Aimee Grice, Penelope Johnson, Mary Larson, Birgit MacKenzie, Chenoa MacKenzie, Jennifer Mapplebeck, Rosemary Thayer, Judi Whitehouse Ballroom Dancers: Cam Bartram, Aimee Grice, Birgit MacKenzie, Chenoa MacKenzie, Ted Osborne, Ray Turner |
Production Team
Producers ................................. Stefan Ceislik and Jennifer Mapplebeck Stage Directors ........................................... Ted Osborne and Ray Turner Music Director ................................................................ Lloyd Fairweather Stage Manager ................................................................. Diane Gludovatz Set Construction .................................Arthur Docherty, Larry Raincock Set Painting and Artwork ............................................ Brian Mapplebeck Stained Glass Artist ................................................................ JoAnn Turner Costume Design .......................................................... Bernice Myllyniemi Nuns' Costumes ........................................................... Marilyn Mathieson assisted by Marj Irwin Additional Seamstresses ............ Linda Nunweiler, Carolyn Bowering, MaryLou Roberts & Nicole Ramsey Choreographer .................................................................... Cody Kearsley Rehearsal Pianist ............................................................... Marlene Wiebe Properties .................................................................................... Jen Jensen Lighting ............................................................................. David Gludovatz Sound ......................................................................................... Josh Gideon Makeup .............................................. Carol Osborne, Carol Fairweather Prompter ................................................................................... Carol Cieslik Publicity and Programmes ........................................ Penelope Johnson Stage Crew ................................... David Badger, Jennifer Mapplebeck, Larry Raincock, Patrick Turner & Werner Thayer Front of House .................................................. Elaine Ecker, Pat Linton, Florence & David Merryweather, Pat Odowes & Sally Franks Orchestra: Conductor ..................................................................... Lloyd Fairweather Pianos .......................................... Lloyd Fairweather & Marlene Wiebe Clarinet and Trumpet ................................................. Brian Mapplebeck Euphonium..............................................................................Sandra Smith |
Real Story of the von Trapp Family
adapted from an article by Joan Gearin, National Archives and Records Administration
While The Sound of Music was generally based on the first section of Maria's book The Story of the Trapp Family Singers (1949), there were many alterations and omissions.
Georg von Trapp (b. 1880) became a national hero as a captain in the Austrian navy during World War I. He commanded submarines with valor and received the title of "Ritter" (“Baron") as a reward for his heroic accomplishments. Georg married Agathe Whitehead in 1912. They had seven children together: Rupert, Agathe, Maria, Werner, Hedwig, Johanna, and Martina. (Their names, genders, and ages were all changed in the musical.) After World War I, Georg retired from the navy. His wife died in 1922 of scarlet fever. The family was devastated by her death. Georg sold his property in Croatia) and bought an estate in Salzburg.
Maria Kutschera (changed to Rainer in the musical) was born in Vienna in 1905. She was orphaned and raised as an atheist by an abusive uncle. In her late teens, she accidentally attended a church service (believing it to be a concert) and heard the priest speak. She recalled in her autobiography, “The way this man talked just swept me off my feet. I was completely overwhelmed." Soon after, Maria graduated from Teacher's College and entered the Benedictine Abbey of Nonnberg in Salzburg as a novice. While she struggled with the rules and discipline, she considered that "Those two years were really necessary to get my self-will cut down to size." However, her health suffered from not getting the exercise and fresh air to which she was accustomed.
In 1926, Georg von Trapp approached the Reverend Mother seeking a teacher for his sick daughter (also named Maria). Maria Kutschera was chosen, because of her training as a teacher, and also out of concern for her health. She was to remain as young Maria's tutor for 10 months, after which she would enter the convent. Maria tutored young Maria and, although never governess for all the children as depicted in the musical, she did develop a loving relationship with all of them. Maria says she “fell in love with the children at first sight”. She enjoyed singing with them and getting them involved in outdoor activities. Unlike in the musical, the family was quite musical before Maria arrived, but she did teach them to sing madrigals. Georg, far from being the detached patriarch of the family who disapproved of music, as portrayed in The Sound of Music, was a gentle, warmhearted parent who was musical active with his family.
Georg fell in love with Maria and asked her to become a second mother to his children. Of his proposal, Maria said, "God must have made him word it that way because if he had only asked me to marry him, I might not have said yes. I liked him but I really was not in love. But I loved the children, so in a way I really married the children. By and by I learned to love him more than I have ever loved before or after." Maria and Georg married in 1927, eleven years before the family eventually left Austria. They had three children between 1928 and 1939.
During the Depression in the early 1930s, the family lost much wealth. Many servants were dismissed and the family took in boarders. They considered singing professionally. Georg was reluctant for the family to perform in public, but accepted it as God's will. It hurt him to have his family on stage, not from snobbery, but from a desire to protect them.
The von Trapps' priest, Rev. Franz Wasner, acted as their musical director for over 20 years, nothing like the fictional Max Detweiler. As depicted in The Sound of Music, the family won first place in the Salzburg Festival in 1936 and became successful singing Renaissance and Baroque music, madrigals, and folk songs across Europe.
When the Nazis annexed Austria in 1938 (the “Anschluss”), the von Trapps abhorred the new regime. Georg not only refused to fly the Nazi flag on their house, but he also declined a naval command and a request to sing at Hitler's birthday party. They were also aware of the Nazis' anti-religious propaganda and policies, the pervasive fear that those around them could be acting as spies for the Nazis, and the brainwashing of children against their parents. They weighed staying in Austria and taking advantage of the enticements the Nazis were offering. There would be greater fame as a singing group, a medical doctor's position for the oldest child Rupert (now 26), and a renewed naval career for Georg if they stayed. They decided they could not compromise their principles, so left behind everything they knew—their friends, family, estate, and all their possessions.
The family did not secretly escape over the Alps to freedom in Switzerland, as depicted so dramatically in The Sound of Music. Instead they travelled to Italy by train with their music conductor, Rev. Werner. The family already had a contract with an American booking agent, contacted him once they reached Italy, and requested fare to America.
They were held over at Ellis Island because, when asked how long they intended to stay, instead of saying "six months," as specified on their visas, Maria exclaimed, "Oh, I am so glad to be here—I never want to leave again!" As soon as they were released, they began touring. In the early 1940s the family settled in Vermont and bought a farm. They ran a music camp on the property when not on tour.
Georg died in 1947 and was buried in the family cemetery on the property. The Trapp Family Lodge (which is still operating today) opened to guests in 1950. While fame and success continued for the Trapp Family Singers, they stopped touring in 1955. Maria ran the Trapp Family Lodge for many years before her death in 1987. She was buried alongside Georg.
adapted from an article by Joan Gearin, National Archives and Records Administration
While The Sound of Music was generally based on the first section of Maria's book The Story of the Trapp Family Singers (1949), there were many alterations and omissions.
Georg von Trapp (b. 1880) became a national hero as a captain in the Austrian navy during World War I. He commanded submarines with valor and received the title of "Ritter" (“Baron") as a reward for his heroic accomplishments. Georg married Agathe Whitehead in 1912. They had seven children together: Rupert, Agathe, Maria, Werner, Hedwig, Johanna, and Martina. (Their names, genders, and ages were all changed in the musical.) After World War I, Georg retired from the navy. His wife died in 1922 of scarlet fever. The family was devastated by her death. Georg sold his property in Croatia) and bought an estate in Salzburg.
Maria Kutschera (changed to Rainer in the musical) was born in Vienna in 1905. She was orphaned and raised as an atheist by an abusive uncle. In her late teens, she accidentally attended a church service (believing it to be a concert) and heard the priest speak. She recalled in her autobiography, “The way this man talked just swept me off my feet. I was completely overwhelmed." Soon after, Maria graduated from Teacher's College and entered the Benedictine Abbey of Nonnberg in Salzburg as a novice. While she struggled with the rules and discipline, she considered that "Those two years were really necessary to get my self-will cut down to size." However, her health suffered from not getting the exercise and fresh air to which she was accustomed.
In 1926, Georg von Trapp approached the Reverend Mother seeking a teacher for his sick daughter (also named Maria). Maria Kutschera was chosen, because of her training as a teacher, and also out of concern for her health. She was to remain as young Maria's tutor for 10 months, after which she would enter the convent. Maria tutored young Maria and, although never governess for all the children as depicted in the musical, she did develop a loving relationship with all of them. Maria says she “fell in love with the children at first sight”. She enjoyed singing with them and getting them involved in outdoor activities. Unlike in the musical, the family was quite musical before Maria arrived, but she did teach them to sing madrigals. Georg, far from being the detached patriarch of the family who disapproved of music, as portrayed in The Sound of Music, was a gentle, warmhearted parent who was musical active with his family.
Georg fell in love with Maria and asked her to become a second mother to his children. Of his proposal, Maria said, "God must have made him word it that way because if he had only asked me to marry him, I might not have said yes. I liked him but I really was not in love. But I loved the children, so in a way I really married the children. By and by I learned to love him more than I have ever loved before or after." Maria and Georg married in 1927, eleven years before the family eventually left Austria. They had three children between 1928 and 1939.
During the Depression in the early 1930s, the family lost much wealth. Many servants were dismissed and the family took in boarders. They considered singing professionally. Georg was reluctant for the family to perform in public, but accepted it as God's will. It hurt him to have his family on stage, not from snobbery, but from a desire to protect them.
The von Trapps' priest, Rev. Franz Wasner, acted as their musical director for over 20 years, nothing like the fictional Max Detweiler. As depicted in The Sound of Music, the family won first place in the Salzburg Festival in 1936 and became successful singing Renaissance and Baroque music, madrigals, and folk songs across Europe.
When the Nazis annexed Austria in 1938 (the “Anschluss”), the von Trapps abhorred the new regime. Georg not only refused to fly the Nazi flag on their house, but he also declined a naval command and a request to sing at Hitler's birthday party. They were also aware of the Nazis' anti-religious propaganda and policies, the pervasive fear that those around them could be acting as spies for the Nazis, and the brainwashing of children against their parents. They weighed staying in Austria and taking advantage of the enticements the Nazis were offering. There would be greater fame as a singing group, a medical doctor's position for the oldest child Rupert (now 26), and a renewed naval career for Georg if they stayed. They decided they could not compromise their principles, so left behind everything they knew—their friends, family, estate, and all their possessions.
The family did not secretly escape over the Alps to freedom in Switzerland, as depicted so dramatically in The Sound of Music. Instead they travelled to Italy by train with their music conductor, Rev. Werner. The family already had a contract with an American booking agent, contacted him once they reached Italy, and requested fare to America.
They were held over at Ellis Island because, when asked how long they intended to stay, instead of saying "six months," as specified on their visas, Maria exclaimed, "Oh, I am so glad to be here—I never want to leave again!" As soon as they were released, they began touring. In the early 1940s the family settled in Vermont and bought a farm. They ran a music camp on the property when not on tour.
Georg died in 1947 and was buried in the family cemetery on the property. The Trapp Family Lodge (which is still operating today) opened to guests in 1950. While fame and success continued for the Trapp Family Singers, they stopped touring in 1955. Maria ran the Trapp Family Lodge for many years before her death in 1987. She was buried alongside Georg.