Captain Georg von Trapp (Age to be played: 35-40+)

• Character Description: A retired Austrian naval captain and widower. He's polished, yet very military in the way he runs his life; underneath, he is warm, understanding, and determined. Regimented, dignified, commanding, manly, polished, noble, intelligent. 

• Acting Tips:

  • Begin with rigid posture and precise movements, gradually softening as Maria's influence grows.

  • Practice the whistle commands with different tones for different instructions.

  • Find subtle ways to show the Captain's grief without being melodramatic.

  • Show the internal conflict between your Austrian patriotism and the pressure to join the Nazi navy.

  • In "Edelweiss," reveal the emotional connection to your homeland that you've been suppressing. The Captain's voice may falter, overcome with emotion, signaling to the family to join in and support him. This interruption underscores his deep love for Austria and his sorrow at its impending loss.

  • Pay attention to how the Captain's relationship with his children evolves.

  • The Captain is portrayed as a proud Austrian nationalist, as evidenced by his sentimental connection to "Edelweiss" and his refusal to fly the Swastika flag.

  • He served in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which collapsed after WWI, making him protective of Austria's independence.

  • The Captain learns to express his emotions and connect with his children through music.

  • Despite his stern exterior, the Captain possesses a strong moral compass.

• Historical Context:

  • Georg von Trapp's naval career in the Austro-Hungarian Navy, rising to the rank equivalent of Lt. Commander.

  • The Captain held dual Austrian-Italian citizenship.

  • Naval officers of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire often maintained their dignity and bearing years after service. The Empire's collapse in 1918 would have been a profound loss of identity.

  • His opposition to the Anschluss was dangerous – many prominent Austrians who opposed unification were arrested immediately after the Nazi takeover.

  • The medal he wears (the Maria Theresa Cross) was Austria's highest military decoration, marking him as a genuine war hero.

• Comments:

  • The Captain's journey involves moving from a place of emotional distance and strictness to one of warmth, love, and connection with his children.

  • His patriotism and resistance to the Nazis are crucial elements of his character.

  • The actor should portray both his initial reserve and his eventual emotional openness.
    
    

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