The Sound of Music presented by Cherry Hill West
Come watch the weekend of March 21, 22, & 23
(Image from Disney Plus)
As you may have known and even went to watch, Cherry Hill West’s theater company had ‘The Sound of Music’ as their spring production. What you may not know is that ‘The Sound of Music’ (both the musical and the movie) is based on a true family and story. Shocking, right? So here’s the breakdown of everything you need to know!
What family is this production about?
The production’s main focus is on the Von Trapp family, specifically on Maria Von Trapp’s life. The musical and the movie were told on the account of a book released by Von Trapp in 1949, named The Story of the Trapp Family Singers. Essentially, the novel narrated the journey of Maria Augusta Kutschera, who, as an orphan growing up, was under the care and supervision of a court-appointed guardian, and transitioned into a convent life, as a novitiate. Maria wanted to be a nun but became a governess in the Austrian house of the von Trapps. Later on, she was assigned the responsibility of tutoring Baron Georg von Trapp’s children. Throughout this time, Maria realizes she has fallen deeply in love with the widowed and retired naval captain Georg, along with his children.
Is the production fully accurate?
Although the production and movie are based on the real-life story of the von Trapp family, it’s important to know that it’s not a hundred percent accurate to the actual novel or the actual family. The musical and film’s main goal is to try to provide a sense of the story, and not fully accurate or based on historical representations. One historical part that is accurate, is the von Trapp family’s decision to flee Austria due to the rise of Nazism in Europe during that era. An instance is where characters’ personalities are often exaggerated for entertainment purposes and to get a point across. Additionally, the timelines may be condensed, and the order of events may be switched. Plus, not only the number but the name of the von Trapp children were also changed in the movie. The real von Trapp children were Rupert, Agathe, Maria, Werner, Hedwig, Johanna, and Martina, and when von Trapps escaped Austria, there were nine children. The seven were from Georg’s original marriage, and the other two are from his marriage to Maria, named Rosemary and Elenore. In the original, the von Trapp family escaped to Italy, but in the other versions, it’s depicted that they escaped to Switzerland instead. They also had another child together born in America in 1939, named Johannes. This is different from what most people know since most only know of Georg having seven children, not ten. Their names being Liesl, Friedrich, Lousia, Kurt, Brigitta, Marta, and Gretl, in the production and film. Lastly, in the actual lives of the von Trapp family, Georg and Maria are married for 11 years before they make it to Italy, unlike the musical and film, where they get married and immediately go to Switzerland.
Final Key Parts
Overall, the Sound of Music is based on a true family, and the true situations they endured, and while not being fully accurate at all times, it encapsulates the emotions, thoughts, and importantly, most of the story. The Sound of Music also showcases the themes of love, family, and especially resilience in the face of adversity, to the audience wonderfully. Altogether, ‘The Sound of Music’ is more than just your average musical, as it has an interesting background and history, certain entertainment aspects unique to the musical, and is a celebration of the human spirit and the power of love, even in tough times. Hopefully, you’re now more educated about The Sound of Music and come see it!
March 21, 22, & 23 at 7 pm
Tickets available at showtix4u.com
$15 general admission
$10 students