The Sound of Music Character Descriptions

Maria Rainer

A postulant at Nonnberg Abbey; free-spirited, warm, kind, determined.

Captain Georg von Trapp

Retired Austrian naval captain. Strict military demeanor masks grief for his deceased wife, obscuring his warmth and understanding, but not his patriotism.

Max Detweiller

Loyal friend of Georg. Animated and charming, but not a caricature.

Elsa Shrader

An elegant baroness, Georg’s love interest. Sophisticated, dignified, a practiced veneer that can totally hide heartbreak… almost.

Mother Abbess

Head of the Abbey. Strong, authoritative, yet understanding and maternal.

Sister Berthe

Mistress of Novices at the Abbey. Sharp-tongued, prudish, less tolerant than most.

Sister Margaretta

Mistress of Postulants at the Abbey. Understanding, considerate.

Sister Sophia

Rule-abiding, understanding nun at the Abbey.

Franz-von Trapp

Butler. Formal, spirited, loyal German.

Frau Schmidt

von Trapp housekeeper. Efficient, dispassionate, strong presence.

Herr Zeller

Stern, stoic Nazi official. A local enforcer of the change in rule.

Rolf Gruber

Telegram delivery boy, then Nazi recruit. Suitor to Liesl. Pleasant and young. Hard to believe he’d become a Nazi, then equally hard to believe he’d bend the rules.

Liesl von Trapp

The oldest child, very ready to be grown-up but still not a grown up yet. Somewhat maternal to her younger siblings.

Friedrich von Trapp

A boy. Almost a man. Tries to be the man of the house in his father’s absences, but not quite ready for it.

Louisa von Trapp

Rebellious. Voted most likely to short-sheet your bed.

Kurt von Trapp

Part mischief, part gentle.

Brigitta von Trapp

Smart, but overly honest. Voted most likely to do her homework.

Marta von Trapp

Sweet, gentle. Likes pink, but there’s more to her than that.

Gretl von Trapp

Capable of owning the stage by herself, and tugging audience heartstrings with her little finger.

Nuns, Postulants

Nazi soldiers

Salzburg neighbors