Comparing and Contrasting Two Leading Female Roles

Sarah Viens

American Musical Theater

David Cabral

5/7/17

Comparing and Contrasting Two Leading Female Roles

The two actresses that I will be comparing and contrasting are Christine of The Phantom of the Opera to Frauline Maria from The Sound of Music (both motion picture versions). These are the two leading female roles in my two favorite musicals. Both women share the characteristics of a talented young lady who isn’t actively seeking love, but ends up finding affection in unexpected places. However, as much as these women share a similar life path in their respective musicals, they differ in how their characters develop throughout their story lines.

        Frauline Maria, played by Julie Andrews, is a young, independent woman who has devoted her life to God. She lives in an abbey as a postulant seeking to gain novitiate. She is constantly sneaking in and out of the abbey to travel and sing amongst the beautiful hills of Austria. Maria is late to mass and hasn’t shown Mother Abbess, played by Peggy Wood, that she is ready to be fully entered into the abbey. The Mothers and Sisters of the abbey find it would be best if Maria were to take on a new challenge of being a governess for the Von Trapp family.  Thus, Maria travels away from the abbey and finds herself in the home of an Austrian Naval Officer and his seven children.

        Captain Von Trapp, portrayed by Christopher Plummer, is strict and serious when talking to his children and Maria. He uses a whistle to earn the attention of his children and even has them line up in order from oldest to youngest when beckoned. Maria slowly grows attached to the rambunctious Von Trapp children and earns their respect and love. Eventually Maria also earns the affection of Captain Von Trapp after the governess stands up for herself on a number of occasions, and tells the Captain things that he needs to hear about his family, rather what he would want to hear.