April 9, 2025

Pope Francis Players present “The Sound of Music”

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Carolee McGrath

SPRINGFIELD – Pope Francis Players presented Rodgers and Hammerstein’s award-winning musical “The Sound of Music,” April 4-6 at Pope Francis Preparatory School in Springfield. In total, more than 1000 people attended the three performances Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

“I am a very proud director. This was a huge undertaking with roughly 75 students involved in some capacity. It was a group collaboration, where everybody did their job and I think it showed throughout the weekend,” said director John Anziano. He is also the director of campus ministry, a theology teacher and the golf coach.

The play hit Broadway in 1959 and was later adapted into the popular 1965 film starring Julie Andrews as Maria von Trapp and Christopher Plumber as Captain von Trapp.

“It was amazing. She has been my dream role since I was little,” said senior Hannah Finelli, who played Maria.

“I’ve always watched the movie and it was one of my favorite movies. Over the past few years I feel like I have just grown as a person and all of the people in drama are just like my family,” she said.

 In fact her sister, Eden, played the role of Sister Margaretta. Finelli said faith is also an important part of every performance. The entire cast and crew pray before they take the stage.

“I love praying before the shows and asking for this to be for his glory and stuff and have him help me. It’s really amazing to do this especially at a Catholic school,” she said.

Senior Ernesto Burke Berroteran played Captain von Trapp.

“It was pretty fun to play Captain von Trapp because I don’t usually play serious roles. I’m usually a comedic character when I act. So it was nice to be able to come out of my comfort zone,” he said.

In last year’s production of “The Little Mermaid,” Burke Berroteran played Sebastian the crab.

“I could not be more proud of Hannah and Ernesto. From the time they were freshman to the performance they just gave in The Sound of Music, we saw them grow with each show. I thought they gave a complete performance,” Anziano said.

A video version of this story will be featured on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel,” which airs Saturday evenings at 7 on WWLP-22NEWS.