The Sound of Music: Youth Edition

AN R&H THEATRICALS TITLE

The Sound of Music: Youth Edition

Short Musical, Dramatic Comedy  /  6w, 4m, 5girl(s), 2boy(s) plus ensemble

Suggested by The Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp
Adapted by Tom Briggs and Timothy Allen McDonald

One of the most beloved musicals of all time! In Austria, 1938, an exuberant young governess brings music and joy back to a broken family, only to face danger and intrigue as the Nazis gain power.

Image: 2022 Paper Mill Playhouse Production (Jeremy Daniel)

The Sound of Music: Youth Edition

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    6w, 4m, 5girl(s), 2boy(s) plus ensemble
  • Duration
    Duration
    60 minutes (1 hour)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Adaptations (Literature), Biography, Period, Docudrama/Historic, Romantic Comedy
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for all audiences
Accolades
Accolades
  • Winner! Five 1960 Tony Awards, including Best Musical
    Nominee: Eight 1960 Tony Awards
    Winner! Five 1966 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Music
    Nominee: Ten 1966 Academy Awards
    Winner! Two 1966 Golden Globes, including Best Motion Picture
    Nominee: 1998 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical
The Sound of Music: Youth Edition
Also Available

Details

Summary

The final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein was destined to become the world’s most beloved musical. Featuring a trove of cherished songs, including “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and the title number, The Sound of Music won the hearts of audiences worldwide, earning five Tony Awards and five Oscars. The inspirational story, based on the memoir of Maria Augusta Trapp, follows an ebullient postulate who serves as governess to the seven children of the imperious Captain von Trapp, bringing music and joy to the household. But as the forces of Nazism take hold of Austria, Maria and the entire von Trapp family must make a moral decision.

In this adaptation for pre-high school students, the content has been edited to better suit younger attention spans, but all the elements that make this show a classic are still in place. You and your students will be enchanted by the timeless story and the dazzling score, while at the same time learning about theater and its production.

Professional Artwork Available for Your Production of The Sound of Music: Youth Edition!
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History

The Sound of Music opened at Broadway’s Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on November 16, 1959, and Rodgers & Hammerstein’s last musical was a triumph. It ran for 1,443 performances and earned five Tony Awards, including Best Musical. In addition, the cast album earned a Gold Record and the Grammy Award. Florence Henderson starred in the first national tour, which played for over two years. Jean Bayless created the role of Maria in the original London production, which ran for over six years, long holding the record as the longest-running American musical in London.

In 1965 the motion picture version of The Sound of Music was released, and it made Hollywood history. Directed by Robert Wise, with a score revised by Rodgers (Hammerstein had died in 1960, so Rodgers composed both music and lyrics for two songs added to the film: “I Have Confidence” and “Something Good”), and a screenplay by Ernest Lehman, The Sound of Music boasted a dream cast: Julie Andrews as Maria, Christopher Plummer as the Captain, Eleanor Parker as Elsa, Peggy Wood as the Mother Abbess and Charmian Carr as Liesl. (Trivia buffs will note that Hollywood’s most famous unseen voice, Marni Nixon, here has an on-screen role as Sister Sophia, and that the actual real-life Maria von Trapp has a cameo appearance in a Salzburg market scene.) Winner of five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, The Sound of Music has become the most popular movie musical ever made.

PRINCIPALS
2 Women
5 Girls (ages 5, 7, 9, 13 and 16)
2 Men
2 Boys (ages 11 and 14)

FEATURED
4 Women
2 Men

ENSEMBLE

CHARACTERS
(in order of appearance)

Maria Rainer – A Postulant at Nonnberg Abbey

Opening Number Ensemble:
Mountains, Trees, Birds, a Brook, etc.

Sister Berthe – Mistress of Novices
Sister Margaretta – Mistress of Postulants
Sister Sophia
The Mother Abbess – In charge of the Abbey
Nuns
Captain Georg von Trapp – A renowned naval officer
Franz – The butler
Frau Schmidt – The housekeeper

The Children of Captain von Trapp:
Liesl von Trapp – 16 years old
Friedrich von Trapp – 14 years old
Louisa von Trapp – 13 years old
Kurt von Trapp – 10 years old
Brigitta von Trapp – 9 years old
Marta von Trapp – 7 years old
Gretl von Trapp – The youngest

Rolf Gruber – A 17-year-old telegram delivery boy
Max Detweiler – A friend of Captain von Trapp
"The Lonely Goatherd" Ensemble: Goat, Girl In The Pale Pink Goat, Folks In The Town, Mama

Party Scene:
Herr Zeller – A Nazi supporter
Baron Elberfeld – A party guest who is against the Nazis
Party Guests

A New Postulant
Admiral von Schreiber – An Admiral in the Nazi Navy
German Officials

Contestants in the Festival Concert:
The Trio of Saengerbund of Herwegen
Fraulein Schweiger

Casting Note: In this show, the race of the characters is not pivotal to the plot. We encourage you to consider diversity and inclusion in your casting choices.

In this show, the race of the characters is not pivotal to the plot. We encourage you to consider diversity and inclusion in your casting choices.

  • Time Period 1940s / WWII, 1930s
  • Setting Austria in 1938 before the Nazi occupation.
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Duration 60 minutes (1 hour)

Media

“The loveliest musical imaginable!” – New York Telegram and Sun

“The soaring optimism of ‘Climb Ev’ry Mountain’ is a match for any 60s pop anthem, and the genius of the show lies in the affirmation that it is possible to have youthful exuberance, idealism and love without the sex and drugs and rock ’n’ roll.”Paul Simei-Barton, The New Zealand Herald

“An irresistible score that’s always in tune!” – Entertainment Weekly

“The sentiments of The Sound of Music are genuine and are presented, unabashedly and effectively, in the show’s music, lyrics and dialogue... It is uplifting theater, appealing successfully and without apology to the better side of our natures.” – Douglas J. Keating, The Philadelphia Inquirer

“It’s not just the perfect compatibility of music and lyrics that makes audiences flock unremittingly to The Sound of Music. The show can jerk tears from even the driest of eyes. And if that isn’t enough, there’s the opportunity for a gaggle of children to mesmerise with their talents and charisma. It’s a near-perfect recipe.” – Peter Brown, LondonTheatre

“The show has considerable integrity and has weathered the years so well.” – Michael Billington, The Guardian

Videos

  • The Sound of Music: Youth Edition youtube thumbnail

    The Sound of Music: Youth Edition

  • The Sound of Music – Through Time and History youtube thumbnail

    The Sound of Music – Through Time and History

Photos

  • The Sound of Music: Youth Edition

    Image: 2022 Paper Mill Playhouse Production (Jeremy Daniel)

  • The Sound of Music: Youth Edition

    Image: 2022 Paper Mill Playhouse Production (Jeremy Daniel)

  • The Sound of Music: Youth Edition

    Image: 2022 Paper Mill Playhouse Production (Jeremy Daniel)

  • The Sound of Music: Youth Edition

    Image: 2022 Paper Mill Playhouse Production (Jeremy Daniel)

  • The Sound of Music: Youth Edition

    Image: 2015 US National Tour Production (Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade)

  • The Sound of Music: Youth Edition

    Image: 2015 US National Tour Production (Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade)

  • The Sound of Music: Youth Edition

    Image: 2006 West End Production (Tristram Kenton)

  • The Sound of Music: Youth Edition

    Image: 2006 West End Production (Tristram Kenton)

  • The Sound of Music: Youth Edition

    Image: 1998 Broadway Production (Joan Marcus)

  • The Sound of Music: Youth Edition

    Image: 1998 Broadway Production (Joan Marcus)

  • The Sound of Music: Youth Edition

    Image: 1998 Broadway Production (Joan Marcus)

More photos +

Music

Music Samples

1. “Preludium” – Mother Abbess
2. “The Sound of Music” – Maria
3. Change Into Scene (2) – Accompaniment
4. “Maria” – Sister Berthe
5. Scene 2 (Underscore) – Accompaniment
6. “My Favorite Things” – Maria
7. Change Into Scene 3 – Accompaniment
8. Doorbell Rings – Accompaniment
9. Scene 3 (Underscore) – Accompaniment
10. “Do-Re-Mi (Part 1)” – Maria
11. “Do-Re-Mi (Part 2)” – Maria
12. “Do-Re-Mi (Part 3)” – Maria
13. Change Into Scene 4 – Accompaniment 
14. “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” – Rolf and Liesl
15. Change Into Scene 5 – Accompaniment
16. Thunder (1) – Accompaniment
17. Thunder (2) – Accompaniment 
18. Thunder (3) – Accompaniment
19. Thunder (4) – Accompaniment
20. Thunder (5) – Accompaniment 
21. Thunder (6) – Accompaniment 
22. “The Lonely Goatherd” – Maria and the von Trapp Children
23. The Lonely Goatherd (Playoff) – Accompaniment
24. “The Sound of Music (Reprise)” – The von Trapp Children and Captain von Trapp
25. Abbey Bells in the Distance – Accompaniment
26. Scene 6 (Underscore) – Accompaniment
27. End of Scene 6 – Accompaniment
28. Laendler – Accompaniment
29. “So Long, Farewell” – The von Trapp Children
30. End of Scene 7 / Into Scene 8 – Accompaniment
31. “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” – Mother Abbess and the Nuns
32. Change Into Scene 9 – Accompaniment 
33. The Sound of Music (2nd Reprise) – Accompaniment 
34. “My Favorite Things (Reprise)” – Maria and the von Trapp Children
35. Change Into Scene 10 – Accompaniment
36. “Do-Re-Mi (Reprise)” - Captain von Trapp, Maria and the von Trapp Children
37. “Edelweiss” – Captain von Trapp
38. Third Award Fanfare – Accompaniment
39. Second Award Fanfare – Accompaniment
40. First Prize Fanfare – Accompaniment 
41. The Family von Trapp – Accompaniment
42. Change Into Scene 12 – Accompaniment
43. Finale Ultimo: “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” – The Company 
44. Bows and Exit Music – Accompaniment
  • Musical Style Classic Broadway
  • Dance Requirements Easy
  • Vocal DemandsEasy
  • Chorus Size Medium

Licensing & Materials

  • PLEASE BE ADVISED: There are multiple versions of this title. Before you proceed, please double-check to ensure that you are applying for the version you want. We will not be able to refund rental or shipping fees if you pay for the wrong version.

    If you’re not sure which version best suits your needs, you may purchase a perusal for each available version.

    THE SOUND OF MUSIC

    THE SOUND OF MUSIC: YOUTH EDITION

Music Rentals

Concord offers a full suite of resources to help you put on the show of a lifetime!
25   Student Book (includes Libretto & Vocal Book)
1   Piano-Vocal (rehearsal)
1   Production Guide (includes annotated Libretto)

DIGITAL DOWNLOAD:
Performance Tracks
Guide Vocal Tracks
Guide to Choreography & Staging
Audition Sides and Forms and Track Samples
Costume Design
Set Design
Props List
Artwork

Note: The Sound of Music: Youth Edition is presented with fully orchestrated Performance Tracks; there is no orchestration for live accompaniment. 

Notwithstanding the Rental Material return instructions set forth in your licensing agreement, you do not need to return your Rental Materials for this title.

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Authors

Richard Rodgers

Richard Rodgers' contribution to the musical theatre of his day was extraordinary, and his influence on the musical theatre of today and tomorrow is legendary. His career spanned more than six decades, his hits ranging from the silver screens of Hollywood to the bright light ...

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Oscar Hammerstein II

Oscar Hammerstein II was born on July 12, 1895 in New York City. His father, William, was a theatre manager and for many years director of Hammerstein's Victoria, the most popular vaudeville theatre of its day. His uncle, Arthur Hammerstein, was a successful Broadway producer ...

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Howard Lindsay

Howard Lindsay (1889-1968) was an actor, stage manager, director and playwright before teaming up with Russel Crouse. Lindsay and Crouse's partnership stands today as the longest collaboration of any writers in theatrical history, lasting for more than 28 years. The two men f ...

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Russel Crouse

Russel Crouse (1893-1966) was a newspaperman, a press agent for the Theatre Guild, the author of several books and a librettist before partnering with Howard Lindsay. Lindsay and Crouse's partnership stands today as the longest collaboration of any writers in theatrical histo ...

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Tom Briggs

Director of The R&H Theater Library (precursor to R&H Theatricals) for over a dozen years, Tom Briggs began his love affair with R&H as a youngster in Wisconsin, appearing in productions of Oklahoma! South Pacific and Carousel. His years as a young adult found him singing an ...

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Timothy Allen McDonald

Timothy Allen McDonald

Author

Maria Augusta Trapp

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