The Sound of Music

Written by: Joah Al Nafisi

Edited by: Sami Abou Saleh

 List of Characters:

Maria - LEAD

Captain Von Trapp – LEAD

Liesl – MAIN

Friedrich – MAIN

Louisa – MAIN

Kurt – MAIN

Brigitta – MAIN

Marta – MAIN

Gretl – MAIN

Baroness Elsa – SUPPORTING

Max Detweiler – SUPPORTING

Rolf – SUPPORTING

Mother Abbess – SUPPORTING

Sister Berthe - SUPPORTING

Fraulein Shmitt - SUPPORTING

 Assortment of Scenes:
Acts I - III

ACT I
SCENE 1: THE HILLS / ABBEY
SCENE 2: THE VON TRAPP VILLA
SCENE 3: TELEGRAM FROM ROLF

ACT II
SCENE 1: THE STORM
SCENE 2: THE BARONESS ARRIVES
SCENE 3: THE TERRACE

ACT III
SCENE 1: THE MANSION
SCENE 2: EDELWEISS
SCENE 3: THE ESCAPE- FINALE
ACT I

SCENE 1: THE HILLS / ABBEY

(Backdrop: Abbey. Sister walks across the stage.)

SISTER BERTHE:

MARIA? WHERE ARE YOU? MARIA?

(Backdrop: rolling green hills. MARIA twirls, center stage, full of joy.)

MARIA (singing full):

The sound of music

The hills are alive

With the sound of music

With songs they have sung

For a thousand years

The hills fill my heart

With the sound of music

My heart wants to sing

Every song it hears

My heart wants to beat like the wings of the birds that rise

From the lake to the trees

My heart wants to sigh like a chime that flies

 From a church on a breeze

To laugh like a brook

When it trips and falls over stones on its way

To sing through the night

Like a lark who is learning to pray

I go to the hills

When my heart is lonely

I know I will hear

What I've heard before

My heart will be blessed

With the sound of music

And I'll Sing once more

(Lights fade as she finishes. Transition to the Abbey.)

SISTER BERTHE:

Reverend Mother, I simply cannot find Maria. She’s missing…AGAIN!

MOTHER ABBESS:

Have you tried the barn? You know how much she adores the animals.

SISTER BERTHE:

I’ve looked everywhere. In all the usual places.

MOTHER ABBESS:

Sister, considering it’s Maria, I suggest you look in unusual places.

(MARIA enters, cheerful and messy.)

MARIA:

Reverend Mother I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself. The hills were calling
and before I knew it I was singing.

MOTHER ABBESS:

We have rules about postulants singing.

MARIA:

I know but I can’t seem to stop myself.

MOTHER ABBESS:

Maria! It seems that you will be leaving us for a while.

MARIA:

No, Mother! Please don’t send me away! This is where I belong. It's my
home, my family. It's my life.

MOTHER ABBESS:

There is a family near Salzburg that needs a governess until September for
seven children.

MARIA:

SEVEN CHILDREN?
MOTHER ABBESS:

Do you like children Maria?

MARIA:

Why yes, but seven?

MOTHER ABBESS:

I will tell Captain von Trapp to expect you tomorrow.

MARIA:

Captain?

MOTHER ABBESS:

A retired officer of the Navy. His wife died, and he is alone with the children.
I understand he has had a difficult time keeping a governess there.

MARIA:

(Big sigh) Thank you for giving me this opportunity.

MOTHER ABBESS:

I’m sure you will make us proud.

MARIA:

I promise to.

(Lights fade.)

SCENE 2: THE VON TRAPP VILLA

(Set: Grand house interior. CHILDREN line up robotically.)

MARIA:

Hello… here I am.

FRAULEIN SHMITT:

I see that.

MARIA:

I’m the new governess, Maria.

FRAULEIN SHMITT:

And I’m Fraulein Shmitt, the old Maid.

MARIA:

How do you do? (Smiles and sticks out her hand to shake her hand)

FRAULEIN SHMITT:

(She stares at her hand without shaking it) Please wait here.

(Captain enters)

CAPTAIN:

Good afternoon Fraulein Maria.

(Again) Good afternoon Fraulein Maria.

MARIA:

Good afternoon… Captain. (She stares at him)

CAPTAIN:
Why do you stare at me like that?

MARIA:

You don’t look at all like a sea captain sir.

CAPTAIN:

Well you don’t look at all like a governess. (looks at the dress) I don’t like
that dress, you’ll have to change.

MARIA:

I don’t have any other dresses, when we enter the Abby, all of our worldly
possessions are given to the poor.

CAPTAIN:

What about that dress.

MARIA:

They didn’t want this one. I would have made another dress, but there
wasn’t enough time...(proudly) I can make my own clothes!

CAPTAIN:

I’ll see that I get you some material. I don’t know what the Abby told you but
I trust you will be an improvement on the last governess. She stayed only
two hours.

(Captain blows a whistle, the children march as they enter)

You will listen. Obey. And whistle, if needed.

This is Maria, your new governess. (addressing the children)

MARIA:
Oh no sir, I’m sorry sir! I could never answer to a whistle. Whistles are for
animals, not for children. And definitely not for me.

(The children stare with shock)

CAPTAIN:

Were you this much trouble at the abbey?

MARIA:

Oh much more sir.

(Captain exits)

Alright. Now that it’s just us, would you please tell me all your names?

LIESL:

I’m Liesl, and I don’t need a governess.

MARIA:

I’m glad you told me, we’ll just be good friends.

FRIEDRICH:

I’m Friedrich and I’m impossible.

LOUISA:

I’m Brigitta.

BRIGITTA:

I’M BRIGITTA, she’s Louisa.

KURT:
I’m Kurt and I’m a man.

MARTA:

I’m Marta.

MARIA:

And you are?

GRETLE:

Gretle.

BRIGITTA:

(She goes to Maria’s guitar case) What’s in here?

MARIA:

My Guitar, so we can all sing together.

MARTA:

We don’t sing.

MARIA:

Of course you sing. Everybody sings.

KURT:

We don’t know any songs.

MARIA:

Well, then I’ll teach you. Come over here. (The kids sit around the couch with
Maria center)

MARIA and CHILDREN (singing full):

Do-Re-Mi

MARIA
 Let's start at the very beginning

A very good place to start

When you read, you begin with

MARTA

A-B-C

MARIA

When you sing, you begin with DO-RE-MI

ALL

Do-re-mi?

MARIA

Do-re-mi.The first three notes just happen to beDo-re-mi.

ALL

Do-re-mi!

MARIA

Do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti!.Oh, let's see if I can make it easier.Doe, a deer, a female

deer.Ray, a drop of golden sun.Me, a name I call myself.Far, a long, long way
to run.Sew, a needle pulling thread,La, a note to follow sew,Tea, a drink with
jam and bread!That will bring us back to do oh-oh-oh!

ALL

Doe! A deer, a female deer.Ray! A drop of golden sun.Me! A name I call myself.
Far! A long, long way to run!Sew, a needle pulling thread.La, a note to follow
sew.Tea, a drink with jam and bread.And that will bring us back to doe!Do-re-
mi-fa-so-la-ti-do!So-do!

MARIA

Now, children, Do-re-mi-fa-soAnd so on, are only the tools you use to build a
song.Once you have these notes in your heads, you can sing a million different
tunes by mixing them up.Like this: So, do, la, fa, mi, do, re.Can you do that?

ALL

So, do, la, fa, mi, do, re.

MARIA

So, do, la, ti, do, re, do.

ALL

So, do, la, ti, do, re, do.

MARIA

Now, put it all together!

ALL

So, do, la, fa, me, do, re.

So, do, la, ti, do, re, do!

MARIA

Good!

GRETLE

But it doesn't mean anything!

MARIA
So we put in words. One word for every note.Like this:When you know the
notes to sing,You can sing most anything!

ALL

When you know the notes to sing, You can sing most anything!
(Song ends. They all laugh together as Shmitt enters)

FRAULEIN SHMITT:

Okay, Children, outside for your walk. Father’s orders. Hurry up now.

(Children exit)

I’ll show you to your room now. Follow me.

SCENE 3: TELEGRAM FROM ROLF (front of curtain)

FRAULEIN SHMITT:

Ah, Rolf, Good evening.

ROLF:

Good evening Fraulein Shmitt.

FRAULEIN SHMITT:

Are there any developments?

ROLF:

Perhaps, is the captain home?

FRAULEIN SHMITT:

Yes, he’s about to retire for the night.

ROLF:

Please give him this telegram at once.

FRAULEIN SHMITT:

Certainly.

(Shmitt exits)

ROLF:

PSSST! LIESL! COME OUT!

(Rolf stands center throwing rocks at a window, looking up at the

audience)

LIESL:

Rolf!

ROLF:

Why hello, I came by to deliver a telegram. Are you supposed to be in

bed by now?

LIESL:

Well, yes, but don’t tell. I’ve missed you, have you missed me?

ROLF:

Of course, I even thought of sending you a telegram so I could deliver it

to you.
LIESL:

Oh, Rolf, that’s a lovely thought! Why don’t you, right now? I’ll start it for
you. ‘Dear Liesl…

ROLF:

‘Dear Liesl: I’d like to be able to tell you… how I feel about you. Stop.
Unfortunately this wire is already too expensive. Sincerely, Rolf.

LIESL:

Sincerely?

ROLF:

Cordially?

LIESL:

Cordially?

ROLF:

Affectionately?

LIESL:

(She smiles) If only we didn't have to wait for someone to send Father a
telegram. How do I know when I'll see you again?

ROLF:

I could come by here with a telegram from the Colonel! He's here from
Berlin...I’ve said too much, I’m worried about your father.
LIESL:

You don’t have to worry about him, he's a big naval hero. He was even
decorated by the emperor.

ROLF:

Well then I worry about his daughter, you’re so...

LIESL:

What?

ROLF:

Well, you’re a baby!

ROLF and LIESL (singing full):

Sixteen going on seventeen

ROLF

You wait, little girl

On an empty stage

For fate to turn the light on

Your life, little girl, is an empty page

That men will want to write on

To write on
 You are 16 going on 17

Honey, it's time to think

Better beware

Be canny and careful

Honey, you're on the brink

You are 16 going on 17

Fellows will fall in line

Eager young lads

And roués and cads

Will offer you food and dine

Totally unprepared are you

To face a world of men

Timid and shy and scared are you

Of things beyond your ken

You need someone older and wiser

Telling you what to do

I am 17 going on 18

I'll take care of you

 LIESL

I am 16 going on 17

I know that I'm naive

Fellows I meet may tell me I'm sweet

And willingly I believe

I am 16 going on 17

Innocent as a rose

Bachelors dandies, drinkers of brandies

What do I know of those?

Totally unprepared am I

To face a world of men

Timid and shy and scared am I

Of things beyond my ken

I need someone older and wiser

Telling me what to do

You are 17 going on 18

I'll depend on you

(We hear someone coming from the side, Rolf exits the stage running.
Shmitt enters.)

FRAULEIN SHMITT:

Who’s out there? (Liesl tries to hide)

What on heaven’s earth are you doing out here in this storm? You could
catch a cold.

(Liesl goes mute, looks scared. Maria enters. She sees that Liesl has been
caught and tries to help her.)

LIESL:

Well, I… I was…

MARIA:

She was fetching me some flowers. No luck Liesl?

LIESL:

Ah no.

MARIA:

Well, then I’ll just have to sleep with that musty smell in the room.

(Shmitt exits)

LIESL:

You’re not going to tell Father are you?

(Maria holds out her hand to Leisl as they exit)

ACT II

SCENE 1: THE STORM

(Backdrop: Bedroom window. A storm. Maria is in her room with Liesl,

covered in a towel. Shmitt enters)

FRAULEIN SHMITT:

Here is your new material. Captain had it sent in from town.

MARIA:

How lovely. Do you think the captain would get me some more material?
I want to make some play clothes for the children.

FRAULEIN SHMITT:

The Von Trapp children don’t play, they march. Ever since the captain
lost his poor wife… he runs this house as if he was on one of his ships
again.

MARIA:

But that’s wrong..

(Awkward silence)

FRAULEIN SHMITT:

Well good night now.

(Shmitt exits. Just as a big hit of thunder claps, Gretle comes running in)

MARIA:
Gretle, are you scared? (She shakes her head no)

You just stay right here with me. But where are the others?

GRETLE:

They’re asleep, they’re not scared.

(Another clаp of thunder bring Brigittа, Louizа аnd Mаrtа running in)

MARIA:

Oh really, look. (beat) Alright, everyone up here on the bed. Now we’ll
just wait for the boys.

MARTA:

You won’t see them, they’re brave.

(Boys come running in)

MARIA:

You’re not scared are you?

MARTA:

Not at all. We just wanted to make sure you weren’t scared.

(Another clаp of thunder and they all scream)

GRETLE:

I want to cry.

MARIA:
Whenever I’m feeling unhappy, I just try to think of nice things.

LIESL:

What kind of things?

MARIA and CHILDREN (singing full):

MY FAVORITE THINGS

MARIA

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens

Brown paper packages tied up with strings

These are a few of my favorite things

Cream-colored ponies and crisp apple strudels

Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles

Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings

These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes

Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes

Silver-white winters that melt into springs

These are a few of my favorite things

 When the dog bites

When the bee stings

When I'm feeling sad

I simply remember my favorite things

And then I don't feel so bad

(SONG ends. Captain enters)

CAPTAIN:

What is going on in here?

(Children run into their formations)

I told you strict bedtimes. Do you have difficulty following instructions?

MARIA:

Only during thunderstorms. Go on children, you heard your father. Go to

bed.

(Children exit)

CAPTAIN:
Fraulein, forget the material you asked for. I will not have my children
running around town in rags.

MARIA:

But they are children!

CAPTAIN:

And I am their Father.

Tomorrow the Baroness will arrive, make sure the children look tidy.

That will be all. Goodnight.

SCENE 2: THE BARONESS ARRIVES

(Backdrop: Terrace. Enter Baroness, Shmitt carrying her luggage.)

BARONESS:

…and another thing, I’ll have my tea every day at exactly 2 o’clock, no
cream, no sugar. Please don’t be late with my tea as I will have to inform
the captain.

FRAULEIN SHMITT:

(Whispers sarcastically) Oh she’s an angel alright!

BARONESS:

Excuse me, did you say anything?

FRAULEIN SHMITT:
I said, dinner is on its way.

BARONESS:

Oh, no dinner for me, just a light salad.

(Captain enters)

CAPTAIN:

Still no sign of the children?

FRAULEIN SHMITT:

No sir, I’ll keep looking.

BARONESS:

The mountains are magnificent Gayle.

CAPTAIN:

Yes, they’re not like any other mountains, they’re friendly.

BARONESS:

I’m beginning to understand you here better now that you are home.
How can you be away from such a beautiful place for so long.

CAPTAIN:

Maybe I was just waiting for a reason to come back here to stay.

BARONESS:
I like it here, very much. (She places her hand on his)

CAPTAIN:

(He got shy) Where is Max?

MAX:

I’m dreadfully sorry I took so long.

CAPTAIN:

Any luck?

MAX:

I’ve arranged for us to attend the Kaltenzberg Festival- the finest choral
group in all of Austria, the greatest soprano in all of London!

BARONESS:

Oh, I would love to hear that!

MAX:

So would I. Nevertheless, my motto is “Never start out looking for talent

you wind up getting.” That’s why I’ve been telephoning Paris, Rome,
London-

BARONESS:

On Gayle’s phone?

MAX:
How else could I afford it? Why am I up here?

CAPTAIN:

I hope it was because you like me.

MAX:

Of course I like you. I like rich people. I like the way they live. I like the
way I live when I’m with them.

BARONESS:

Max, you’re outrageous!

CAPTAIN:

If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to see where the children are.

MAX:

So, do you think the captain will marry you?

BARONESS:

Yes, but he hasn’t asked yet.. I think there’s something in his way.

(Captain enters. Seconds after, Shmitt enters with Rolf)

FRAULEIN SHMITT:

Captain, I found this man throwing rocks at Liesl’s window.

CAPTAIN:
Who are you?

ROLF:

Oh, captain. I didn’t see, I mean, I didn’t know…uh…um…

CAPTAIN:

Why are you here boy?

ROLF:

I have a telegram for Captain Von Trapp.

CAPTAIN:

(Snatching the telegram) Alright, you’ve delivered your telegram, now

get out.

ROLF:

Yes, sir.

(Rolf and Shmitt exit)

BARONESS:

Gayle, he’s only a boy.

CAPTAIN:

And I’m just a Father, our world is disappearing before our eyes.

MAX:
What’s going to happen is going to happen, just don’t let it happen to
you.

SCENE 3: THE TERRACE

(Backdrop, same location, different angle. Captain, Baroness, Max having

drinks. The children and Maria arrive and enter laughing)

MARIA:

Oh, Captain, you’re home!

CHILDREN:

Father, father you’re home!

(Captain blows his whistle, children to their formations.)

CAPTAIN:

This is Baroness Schraeder… and these are my children.

BARONESS:

How do you do?

CAPTAIN:

Children, get yourself cleaned up for the Вaroness immediately. Hurry

up.

(Children exit)
MAX:

Excuse us.

(Max and Baroness exit, Captain and Maria front of curtain)

CAPTAIN:

Maria, why aren’t the children wearing their uniforms?

MARIA:

Children cannot do things they are supposed to do if they have to worry

about their precious clothes.

CAPTAIN:

I don’t care to hear anything further…

MARIA:

I am not finished yet, Captain!

CAPTAIN:

Oh yes you are Captain! (Corrects himself) Fraulein.

Now you will pack your bags at once.

(Max, Baroness, Children enter)

MAX:
Excuse me Captain. The children have prepared a song as a gift for the
Baroness.

(Children line up and sing)

The sound of music

The hills are alive

With the sound of music

With songs they have sung

For a thousand years

The hills fill my heart

With the sound of music

My heart wants to sing

Every song it hears

My heart wants to beat like the wings of the birds that rise

From the lake to the trees

My heart wants to sigh like a chime that flies

From a church on a breeze

To laugh like a brook

When it trips and falls over stones on its way

To sing through the night

 Like a lark who is learning to pray

(SONG ends. They all clap. Children exit. Maria about to exit, Captain stops
her)

CAPTAIN:

Don’t go. I’ve behaved badly. You were right. I don’t know the children.

MARIA:

There’s still time.

CAPTAIN:

I want you to stay. I ask you to stay.

MARIA:

If I could be of help.

CAPTAIN:

You’ve already done more than you’ll know.

BARONESS:

Thank you children for such a lovely gift.

MAX:

This calls for a celebration! How about a gala? What do you say Gayle?
(Captain zones out, staring at Maria. The Baroness sees that and gets
between them)

BARONESS:

Okay, yes. We will have a party, for the Baroness.

CAPTAIN:

Come along children, we have lots of planning to do.

(ALL exit)
ACT III

SCENE 1: THE MANSION

(Backdrop: The Mansion, Gala, Party. Enter Maria and children)

LOUISA:

We’ve never had a party in this house before. This is so exciting

(Friedrich dances alone)

BRIGITTA:

Who are you dancing with?

FRIEDRICH:

Me.

MARIA:

May I have this dance young man?

(Friedrich and Maria dance. Captain enters)

CAPTAIN:

May I cut in?

MARIA:

Oh dear! Yes.
(They dance. Baroness enters)

BARONESS:

There you are darling

MARIA:

Good evening Baroness. (She curtseys) If you’ll excuse me. Come along
children.

(Maria exits with the children, Captain and Baroness front of stage)

CAPTAIN:

I’m sorry Baroness, I’ve…

BARONESS:

Don’t. Don’t say another word. While planning the party over the past
few weeks, I’ve seen the way you look at Maria. I know you’ve grown
fond of her.

CAPTAIN:

Enough with this nonsense. Let’s go back to our guests.

(Backdrop: stairs of the mansion)

CHILDREN (singing full):

 SO LONG, FAREWELL

ALL

There's a sad sort of clanging from the clock in the hall

And the bells in the steeple, too

And up in the nursery an absurd little bird

Is popping out to say "cuckoo"

Regretfully they tell us

But firmly they compel us

To say goodbye

To you

So long, farewell

Auf Wiederseh'n, goodnight

MARTA

I hate to go

And miss this pretty sight

ALL

So long, farewell

Auf Wiederseh'n, adieu

FRIEDRICH
 Adieu, adieu

To yieu and yieu and yieu

ALL

So long, farewell

Au revoir, auf Wiederseh'n

LIESL

I'd like to stay

And have some tea with milk

CAPTAIN

No.

ALL

So long, farewell

Auf Wiederseh'n, goodbye

KURT

I leave, and heave

A sigh and say goodbye

Goodbye

BRIGITTA

I'm glad to go
 I cannot tell a lie

LOUISA

I flit, I float

I fleetly flee, I fly

GRETL

The sun has gone

To bed and so must I

ALL

So long, farewell

Auf Wiederseh'n, goodbye

Goodbye x3

(Song ends. Curtains close)

SCENE 2: EDELWEISS

(After supper, Captain, Baroness, Max, Maria, Children gather in the living
room)

MARIA:

Children, who’s up next?

(Children all whisper to Maria, she hands the guitar to the captain)

MARIA:

The vote is unanimous, YOU Captain!

CAPTAIN:

Me? I don’t understand…

MARIA:

Please.

CAPTAIN:

(Smiles) No, no, no, no, no.

MARIA:

I’ve been told that a long time ago you were good.

CAPTAIN:

Well that was a very, very, very long time ago.

CHILDREN:

Please Father.

(Captain takes the guitar, tunes it and smiles at Maria)

BARONESS:

(Whispers to Max) Why didn’t you tell me?

MAX:

What?

BARONESS:

To bring along my harmonica.

CAPTAIN and LIESL (singing full):

Edelweiss

CAPTAIN

Edelweiss…Edelweiss

Every morning you greet me

Small and white, clean and bright

You look happy to meet me

Blossom of snow
 May you bloom and grow

Bloom and grow forever

Edelweiss... Edelweiss

Bless my homeland forever

Edelweiss...

LEISL

Edelweiss

CAPTAIN

Edelweiss...

LEISL

Edelweiss

ALL

Every morning you greet me

CAPTAIN

Small and white

LEISL

Small and white

CAPTAIN

Clean and bright

 LEISL

Clean and bright

ALL

You look happy to meet me

CAPTAIN

Blossom of snow

May you bloom and grow

Bloom and grow forever

Edelweiss... Edelweiss

Bless my homeland forever

(SONG ends, ALL exit except Baroness and Captain)

BARONESS:

I see where your heart truly lies… (Holds his hand)

Take care of them, all of them.

(Baroness exiting, Curtains close)

VOICE:

Not long after, the Baroness left, and Captain von Trapp realized
where his heart belonged. He married Maria, and their family
was finally whole. But danger was closing in…

SCENE 3: THE ESCAPE- FINALE

(Backdrop: The Abbey Garden-NIGHT. Stage dimly lit with a soft blue hue,
moonlight casting shadows. The Captain, Maria and the Children enter
quietly from stage left, carrying suitcases. They speak in low voices)

MARIA:

We don’t have much time.

CAPTAIN:

They will be watching us. We must cross the mountains tonight.

GRETL:

Why can’t we just stay? This is our home.

MARIA:

Sometimes doing what’s right means leaving what we love behind.

KURT:

Will we ever come back?

MARIA:

One day, maybe.

CAPTAIN:

Ready? (He holds out his hand)

MARIA:

Always. (She holds his hand)

(They ALL look up to the audience smiling with hope. Curtains close)