All the children
Captain
Maria
Baroness


INSIDE THE VILLA
The Captain slows as he reaches a spacious drawing room. Wearing their uniforms, the children sing for Max & the Baroness.

CHILDREN (singing) …w/ the sound of music
My heart wants to sing every song it hears
My heart wants to beat like the wings of the birds
That rise from the lake to the trees (to the trees)

The Captain hides by the doorway. His eyes soften, he nods slightly to the music.

CHILDREN (singing) My heart wants to sigh like a chime that flies
from a church on a breeze
To laugh like a brook when it trips & falls over
stones on its way (on it's way)

W/ a growing smile, the Captain walks into the room & joins in.

THE CAPTAIN AND THE CHILDREN (singing) To sing thro the night like a lark who is learning to pray
I go to the hills when my heart is lonely

Everyone gapes at him, astonished. The children exchange amazed glances & gaze adoringly at their father as he sings solo:

CAPTAIN (sings) I know I will hear what I've heard before

The children back him for the last lines:

CAPTAIN (sings) My heart will be blessed w/ the sound of music
& I'll sing once more

Maria appears in the doorway & watches. The Captain smiles faintly & takes a few hesitant step toward his children. Brigitta runs over & gives him a hug. The rest of the children surround him. The Captain hugs the little ones & playfully nudges the others. They all start to laugh. Maria looks in & bows her head.

CAPTAIN Ah!

Maria motions to Gretl to take a small bouquet of white wildflowers to the Baroness. Gretl gives the Baroness her bouquet.

BARONESS Edelweiss!

Gretl curtsies.

BARONESS O!

The Baroness hugs Gretl.

BARONESS (to Captain) You never told me how enchanting your children are.

The Captain shakes his head as if to say, No, I didn't realize it myself. He turns, looks over at the doorway, & sees Maria who hurries to the stairs.

CAPTAIN (whispers to the children) Don't go 'way!

The Captain strides quickly out of the room just as Maria reaches the
staircase.

CAPTAIN Fraulein…

She hesitates, then turns to face him.

CAPTAIN I…behaved badly. I apologize.
MARIA No, I'm, I'm far too outspoken. It's 1 of my worst faults.
CAPTAIN You were right. I don't know my children.
MARIA There's still time, Captain. They want so much to be close to you.
CAPTAIN & you’ve brought…music back into the house? I’d forgotten.

Maria starts up the stairs.

CAPTAIN Fraulein.

She stops.

CAPTAIN I want you to stay.

She stares at him. The Captain smiles contritely.

CAPTAIN I, uh, ask you to stay.
MARIA If I could be of any help.
CAPTAIN You have already. More than you know.

Their eyes meet. W/ a quick, shy smile, the Captain strides back to the drawing room. Beaming w/ happiness, Maria clasps her hands & dashes upstairs.

Steph runs in for rehearsals and practises her lines... Look great!

maddie (gretl) comes in and practices her part

Lousia learns her part