The hills will come alive this spring as St. Paul VI Catholic High School students present “The Sound of Music.” The show, made into a movie that won five Oscars in 1965, is sure to bring more joy than raindrops on roses or whiskers on kittens.
It tells the real-life story of Maria, a novice in an Austrian abbey, who wants very much to become a nun. Adhering to the convent’s strict rules proves difficult for Maria, and she is sent to Captain von Trapp’s home to serve as governess for his seven children for a few months. There, she forms a deep connection with the children through the beautiful and communal nature of music. During her stay she falls in love with Captain von Trapp and marries him. After the Captain is ordered to command a ship in the German army, the family flees Austria, narrowly escaping the Nazi annexation of 1936. The von Trapp family moved to the United States and opened a ski lodge in Stowe, Vt. In America, they continued to record and share their love of music with the world, just as the students will share their love for music and acting with their audiences.
The movie is now 60 years old, but the message still connects with people today. Remarking on Maria’s spiritual journey, Maggie Lacey (’28) said, “Sometimes we struggle to figure out what God really wants for us, so we have to have faith in him and his plan.” The play is a testament to the divine strength that the von Trapp family carries, which can survive even the most harrowing situations. The actors in the play have to channel this complex story into not just lines in a script but a compelling performance. You have to “figure out what your lines really mean,” Lacey said.
The actors have dedicated countless hours to transforming Director of Theatre Arts Kathy d’Alelio’s vision into a physical reality. Rehearsals happen every day after school and, while not every actor’s attendance is mandatory, the work can be grueling.
“It gets really tiring … but the excitement gets them through,” d’Alelio said. The cast and crew’s efforts don’t stop over the weekend as everyone involved with theatre comes in for the set builds on Saturdays. This is also when the different crews, such as hair and makeup, sound, or set crew, get to meet and discuss their plans. Indra Malli (’27), head of sound crew, said this is where she has learned “how to work together, how to solve problems and how to take initiative.”
But it isn’t all work and no play because the greatest thing that comes from theatre is the community.
“It’s an instant friend group,” said d’Alelio. Students agree, saying that friendships are their favorite parts of theatre.
“We all come together to do this,” said Lacey.
Parent volunteers are another vital part of the production. The marketing team contributes to the PVI Theatre Instagram account, which helps promote all the theatre department’s endeavors. The team also puts fliers up around the school to garner interest from the student body. Olivia Unverzagt, a senior in the role of Maria, is no stranger to putting in hard work as she is determined to tackle the iconic role.
“Playing Maria has brought me more joy than I ever expected. With the role being so well known, I have so much to look up to but also feel so inspired to make Maria my own,” she said.
Last year’s musical, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” sold out all three performances — an incredible achievement that led to the addition of a fourth show this year. This additional show excites the actors.
“We put so much work in. When you have great performances, you reap the benefits,” Lacey said.
For the students, theatre is not simply a fun extracurricular, but a valuable learning experience. Three students mentioned how they have learned to “put themselves out there,” a key skill needed in the real world. This builds confidence in teenagers and enables them to discover who they are and who they want to be — just like Maria in the musical. The students also learn time management, which d’Alelio heavily emphasizes with the actors.
The production is taking off, reaching soaring new heights. The actors, crew, volunteers and directors are all working together to create a beautiful interpretation of this classic story.
Showtimes are March 21, 27, 28 at 7 p.m., and March 22 at 2 p.m., at 42341 Braddock Road. Tickets can be purchased online at paulvi.net/fine-arts.
