Once again, the hills were brought to life and we were reminded of a few of our favourite things. During 'The Sound of Music' in March 2023 at Astra Theatre in Gozo, I had the privilege of playing the role of Rolf Gruber.
Producers: Astra Theatre
Director: Christopher Gatt
Musical Director: Mariella Spiteri Cefai
Choreographer: Francesco Nicodeme
Playing the role of Rolf Gruber in The Sound of Music was a thrilling and rewarding experience. This iconic character has a fascinating arc, and I enjoyed exploring his complexities and motivations throughout the show.
One of the biggest challenges of playing Rolf was capturing the character's journey from a naive and innocent young man to a member of the Nazi party. It was important to me to show the gradual shift in his beliefs and values, and to portray him as a sympathetic and flawed character, rather than a villain. This was quite challenging especially since I never agreed with the way the Nazis took control over everyone and the way they treated all communities, which was cruel.
Working on the musical numbers was also a highlight of the experience. The song 'Sixteen Going on Seventeen' in The Sound of Music is a beloved classic which is beautiful but hard to portray. Though this all songs presented a fun and exciting opportunity for all of the cast to showcase our singing and dancing skills.
Another aspect of the show that I loved was the sense of community within the cast and crew. We all worked together to create something special and memorable.
Overall, playing Rolf Gruber in The Sound of Music was an incredible experience that I will always cherish. I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with such talented and dedicated individuals, and to have been a part of such an iconic and beloved production.
