At the October meeting of our Fede e Luce community, we faced a simple question: what can we do together? Which activities would truly include disabled young people, their parents, younger and older friends, and all the children? Rita had an answer. A play, she said. It seemed perfect to her. We could resurrect an old tradition from our community: many of us would act, and those who didn't want to perform—or had other gifts—could help with costumes, music, sets.
In December, we launched our adventure with a seriously shortened version of "The Sound of Music." It gave us songs and dances. We needed two rehearsals a month, plus regular community gatherings. By April, we were exhausted and convinced we weren't ready. But Rita and Angela, our directors, heard none of it. We were going on stage April 14th for our Annunciation and Sharing Day—no excuses.
Those who sat through the dress rehearsal left discouraged. But something shifted when the audience arrived. The performance went far better than we'd dared hope. Yes, the scene changes ran long. Yes, someone forgot a line. But we had genuine fun, and everyone gave what they could. We'd do it again in a heartbeat.
The Story, Told by Three of the von Trapp Children: Friedrich, Samuel, and Luisa
We are three of the twelve children in the Austrian von Trapp family during the Third Reich.
I'm Friedrich. I'm eleven and I'm scatterbrained.
I'm Samuel. I'm ten and I'm impossible.
I'm Luisa. I'm nine and I'm a gossip.
When Maria, our new governess, arrives, Father lays down the house rules. But Maria won't follow them, so we sneak to her room in the evenings, risking her job.
One day Father visits the Baroness Schraeder, his future bride, and Maria teaches us songs to sing for her. But the Baroness brings Uncle Max with her.
Uncle Max wants us to perform at the Salzburg Festival, but Father refuses.
Then one day the Captain tells the Baroness he won't marry her—he loves Maria instead. So Maria and the Captain marry.
But soon a telegram arrives. The Captain must report to the naval base at Bremen. Father is furious and decides to have us sing at the Festival instead. He tells the Nazis he'll go to Bremen after—but really, we escape to Switzerland.
What the Younger Children Said
"It was wonderful, even though rehearsals were really tiring. Samuel and I helped Antonio with his lines and fed him his cues."
Federico (11)
"I was so excited before the play—way too excited! Like Federico said, we helped Antonio. It was really great!"
Samuel (10)
"I had so much fun, and I'm happy I got to help people who had a harder time than me."
Cristina (9)
"My favorite part was when we sang the cuckoo song. My least favorite was rehearsing the thunderstorm song a hundred times."
Anna (6)
"My best moment was when I sang 'I'll fly away, or else they'll catch me…' My worst was when the Captain told Maria 'Take off your hat, please turn around…'"
Sara (7)
"Before the play we worked hard and did so many tiring rehearsals. But the satisfaction of that night was huge, and everyone congratulated us."
(Federico, Samuel, and Cristina)