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The Sound of Music
A musical based on the memoir of Maria Von Trapp. Set in Salzburg, Austria at the beginning of World War II the nuns at the Nonnberg Abbey are concerned that a young postulant Maria Rainer may not be ready to take her vows. She is sent by the Mother Superior (Abbess) to gain an appreciation of the world outside the convent as a governess for the seven children of a retired widowed Austrian Naval Captain. The Captain is fiercely proud to be Austrian and opposes Austria becoming part of the German Empire (The Anschluss).
The Captain runs his household as he would his naval command and has his staff and children trained to respond to a bosun's whistle. Maria finds this demeaning and in her first meeting with the Captain expresses her disagreement. His home had been a center of music and culture prior to his wife's death and he has bared music from the house. The captain then leaves for a month leaving the children in the hands of the new governess.
On his return he brings with him Elsa Shrader a woman with whom he has a stalled romantic relationship and his friend Max Detweiler who introduced them. Max and Elsa want the Captain to go along with the Germans as it would keep them and the family safe from German retaliation. Max also runs the Kaltzberg musical festival and has been searching for talent to perform at the festival. During the Captain's absence Maria has taught the children music and has become close to each of them almost in the role of a mother. On the Captain's arrival back he finds the children dressed in "play clothes" that Maria has made from the old curtains in her room. He is appalled and when she tells him that he needs to get to know his children and be a father he tells her to go back to the Abbey. The children enter at that moment singing "The Sound of Music" as a musical gift to Frau Schrader prepared by Maria. The Captain is taken by surprise by the music in his home and the change in his children. He asks Maria to stay. He throws a party for Frau Schrader but during the evening dances with Maria and realizes he is in love with her and not Frau Schrader. Maria also senses the change in their relationship but is confused about the emotions she feels and runs back to the Abbey asking to take her vows.
Mother Abbess tells her the walls of the Abbey are not meant for her to hide behind and that she must face her concerns and return to the Captain's home. She does so and is welcomed with great relief by the Captain. The both recognize the love for each other. His relationship with Elsa has deteriorated and she leaves. Maria and the Captain are married but on their return he receives a telegram offering him a naval command in the German Navy and order him to report the following day. He and Maria decide to escape with the children but need time to plan their escape. Maria suggests that the family sing in the Kaltzberg Festival from which they can make their escape. They sing and win the festival and make their escape but are trapped at the Abbey when all the roads are blocked by the Germans looking for him. The Abbey sisters try to hide them. The Abbey is being search when they are discovered by Rolf, the oldest daughter Lisel's boyfriend who is now in the German Army. He still loves her and tells the German officer there is no one hiding in the Abbey and they escape.
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LocationJFNH Theater (View)
698 Beech Street
Manchester, NH 03104
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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