ACT ONE
Salzburg, Austria, 1938, on the eve of the Anschluss.
The nuns of the Nonnberg Abbey are singing songs of praise, but one of them, Maria, is nowhere to be found. She is, instead, out in the hills, where she goes "when her heart is lonely." To "solve the problem like Maria," Mother Abbess sends Maria out of the Abbey to serve as a temporary governess to the seven von Trapp children, on Trapp children, whose father is the widowed Captain Georg von Trapp.
Songs:
"Prelude"
"The Sound of Music"
"Maria"
"I Have Confidence"
"My Favorite Things"
"My Favorite Things" Reprise
When Maria meets the children, she discovers that since the death of their mother, the Captain has been emotionally closed off to his children. The children, therefore, march instead of play and have grown up without music in their lives. Maria teaches the children the basics of singing. Later that evening, Liesl (the oldest) sneaks away to meet Rofl, a young boy who offers himself as a suitable protector for Liesl. When a loud thunderstorm hits, frightening the children, they run to Maria's room. She calms their nerves by singing a folk song.
Songs:
"Do-Re-Mi"
"Something Good"
"Sixteen Going on Seventeen"
"The Lonely Goatherd”
After a long hiatus, the Captain returns with a Viennese widow named Elsa Schraeder. Elsa enjoys her stay with the von Trapps, but confesses her frustration that the Captain won't propose to her. Max Detweiler, Third Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Culture, comes back with the Captain in search for a local singing group to perform at the annual Kaltzberg Festival.
Songs:
“How Can Love Survive?”
Maria and the children enter, all wearing clothing that Maria has made from her old bedroom curtains. The Captain and Maria argue about who really knows and understands the children, and he orders her back to Nonnberg Abbey. The children sing a song for Elsa, softening the Captain's heart. He asks Maria to stay.
Songs:
"The Sound of Music" Reprise
A grand party is thrown so everyone can meet Elsa; however, the political divide between those who support a proposed German takeover and those (like the von Trapps) who believe in Austrian sovereignty is getting worse. At the party, Kurt dances with Maria until the Captain steps in. As they dance, both the Captain and Maria realize the feelings they have for each other, but will not admit it openly to each other. Elsa asks the children to sing for the guests, and the children, much to Max's surprise and happiness, sing. He has found the perfect singing group for the Festival! As the guests go to dinner and the children go to bed, Maria leaves without saying goodbye, confused about the Captain and headed back to Nonnberg Abbey.
At the Abbey, Maria tells Mother Abbess that she is ready to take the orders of poverty, obedience, and chastity. Mother Abbess, however, recognizes that Maria has fallen in love and encourages her to return to the Captain, the children, and the life she has grown to love.
Songs:
"The Grand Waltz"
"Laendler"
"So Long, Farewell"
"Morning Hymn"
"Climb Ev'ry Mountain"
ACT TWO
Act two begins with Max rehearsing for the Festival with the children; however, the melancholy children are just missing Maria. When Maria makes her grand re-entrance, the von Trapps get their music back. Unfortunately, they have bad news: the Captain and Elsa are going to be married. Maria's heart is broken, but she promises to stay until a new governess arrives.
Max and Elsa try to get the Captain to remain noncommital in the rapidly worsening political situation in Austria. The Captain will not budge on his disgust for the Nazis, and he and Elsa realize they cannot be truly happy together. The Captain realizes how much he truly loves Maria after Elsa leaves. The Captain and Maria then get married in a celebration that involves not only the entire family, but all the nuns of Nonnberg Abbey as well.
Songs:
"My Favorite Things" Reprise
"No Way to Stop It"
"An Ordinary Couple"
"Gadeamus Domino"
"Confitemini Domino"
While Maria and the Captain are away on their honeymoon, Austria is annexed by Nazi Germany. The von Trapp house is the only one in the province not supportive of the Third Reich. Upon return, the Captain and Maria realize that many of their friends have joined forces with Germany - including Rolf and their butler. Max continues to prepare the children for the Festival, but the Captain was unaware it was still happening. He and Maria refuse to let the children sing at the Festival since Austria no longer exists. Liesl comes to a new understanding of love based on what she sees between her father and Maria.
Admiral von Schreiber of Germany and Herr Zeller show up to inform the Captain he must report immediately to Bremerhaven to accept a commission in the German Navy. Maria, thinking quickly, tells them he can't possibly leave before the Festival since the Captain is the head of the Von Trapp Family Singers. The Captain, surprised, plays along and joins the children in their rehearsal. He is granted permission to postpone his commission until after the Festival.
The Captain starts the festival with an Austrian hymn as an act of defiance. Max helps the family escape during the show as they are singing - buying time as he gives out the prizes. The Von Trapp Family Singers are announced as the winners of the Festival, but they are nowhere to be found.
Songs:
"Sixteen Going on Seventeen" Reprise
"Do-Re-Mi" Reprise
"Edelweiss"
"So Long, Farewell" Reprise
The family is safe hiding in the garden of the Nonnberg Abbey as soldiers swarm the grounds. Rolf discovers the von Trapps, but after seeing Liesl, he decides to keep their whereabouts hidden. The family is forced to flee over the mountain - an arduous journey, but one Maria knows well. Mother Abbess offers words of comfort as they head out for safety and adventure.
Songs:
"Finale Ultimo: Climb Ev'ry Mountain"
Adapted from https://rodgersandhammerstein.com/the-sound-of-music-film-synopsis/#:~:text=The%20Captain%20is%20embarrassed%20and,he%20asks%20her%20to%20stay.