The Sound of Solehi
On November 12, Southern Lehigh High School’s production of “The Sound of Music” will have its opening night in the high school auditorium. The story of a young woman who leaves a convent to become a governess to a brood of motherless children will follow the plotline of the original Broadway show rather than the 1965 film starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, according to director Mr. Matthew Wehr.
“For me, I want the audience to come away remembering that these are real people and this is a real story,” Mr. Wehr said. “Is this fictionalized? Yes, but every character from the play is real. Sometimes we get so divorced from that there is truth in this story and from where it came from.”
Both the play and the film are based on Maria Von Trapp’s memoir “The Von Trapp Family Singers,” published in 1949.
Many students only know one portrayal of this story. However, more than one actress has played the main character Maria. Sophomore Giuliana Augello, who plays Maria in the high school’s production, plans on using more than one source of inspiration.
“I’m trying to bring elements of my own personality into the role,” Augello explained. “I am also trying to use inspirations who have played the role in the past, like Julie Andrews and Carrie Underwood.”
Not only is the overall show different, but characters, including the nuns, are different as well. Freshman Jillian Werbisky describes the nuns as having “more diverse and challenging songs” as well as an “a cappella four-part harmony in Latin.”
When asked about his individual character, junior Chris Smith who is playing Captain Von Trapp, said that many aspects of his character do remain unchanged. However, Smith did admit one drastic distinction.
“The real difference is in Captain Von Trapp’s relationship with the Baroness,” he said. “In the musical, they are close. They have a history. In the movie, their relationship isn’t recognized.”
Audiences will spot many differences on opening night of Southern Lehigh’s production of “The Sound of Music.”
“I believe the stronger theatrical performance is the original,” Mr. Wehr said.
On November 12th, you can decide which is your favorite: the Broadway version or the popular movie.
Sophomore Grace Glueck is a first-year staff reporter for the Spotlight. She is also a member of the track team and plays soccer in her free time. Outside...
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