Northwestern Middle School thespians will perform a play this weekend that is all about the music.

The title itself offers the first big hint and songs such as “Do-Re-Mi,” Edelweiss,” My Favorite Things” and “Climb Every Mountain” guarantee audience members will leave humming one of the many classics.

“The Sound of Music” features Molly McGorry in the role of Maria Rainer.

The sixth grader was surprised to be given the starring role although music has been in her blood from very early on.

“I started singing when I was 3,” McGorry said. “I was always doing something with singing.

“My aunt and uncle own the Mauch Chunk Opera House. I went to the concerts and watched the bands. I wanted to be up there, too.”

McGorry is up to the challenge of her demanding role.

“It comes naturally to me,” she said, with a smile. “I have the personality of Maria, late for everything except for meals.

“I’m really nervous to be singing in front of all my peers.

“It’s pretty strange for a sixth grader to get the main part but it’s an awesome experience”

“The Sound of Music,” the last play by famed collaborators Rodgers and Hammerstein, is actually the story of the von Trapp family and its relationship with Maria, a young woman deciding whether or not she should become a nun.

When she takes the job as nanny for the von Trapp children who recently lost their mother, she becomes deeply attached to them and even falls in love with the children’s father, Capt. Georg von Trapp while the Nazis are terrorizing the area.

Subsequently, the von Trapps and Maria devise a successful plan to escape the political situation and flee Austria.

Eighth grader Thomas Bell plays Capt. Georg von Trapp.

“[This play] is about a father who doesn’t really know his kids,” he explained. “But after his wife dies he realizes he wants to bring them closer.

“Maria definitely [does that]. In the play, she reminds [von Trapp] about how much he loved singing.

“When he hears [his kids] singing, he warms up to them.”

Bell was unfamiliar with the play prior to getting the part.

“I never heard about it until it was announced last year and then we watched it at home,” said Bell. “I like the junior version because it cuts out the unnecessary scenes. I enjoy the play.”

“I don’t have much singing to do but I have a lot of lines.

“For a couple of weeks I was pretty stressed out but now I know my lines I’m pretty confident.”

Molly Crawford plays Mother Abbess, the head of the Nonnberg Abbey.

“In a lot of movies, there is one person to whom people turn to for advice,” said Crawford. “In this play, I’m the person who Maria goes to for help.”

Crawford could hardly contain her enthusiasm for the play.

“I love this play so much,” said the seventh grader. “It’s one of my favorites. I love the story line.

“I love how Maria puts up a fight against the Nazis and the war, even though it may not work.”

Alex Sprossel plays Max Detweiler, Georg von Trapp’s friend.

“At first, I didn’t even know we were doing this play. It’s one of my favorite movies,” said Sprossel. “I have a lot of lines.

“It’s a very nice story.”

Sprossel describes his character as “a very organized [person] who likes making money on other people.

“He organizes the Salzburg Musical Festival. To them [Trapp children] I’m a good guy but Georg von Trapp thinks I’m a very self-centered man.”

As the show’s director, Nick Conti had to introduce the play to his young actors.

“We talked about the play and [the kids] watched it in school,” he said. “We talked about the relationship between the characters.

“The kids get it. The way they grasp [the story] is way beyond their years. You’d be surprised.”

This is Conti’s directorial debut in the district.

“[The kids] are well behaved and they want to put on a great show and they sound great,” Conti said. “There’s a lot of dialogue in the show and they handle it really well.”

The surprises don’t end there, according to Conti.

“Parent help has been really enthusiastic,” he said. “They really want the kids to have a great show.

“They support me in what I want to do. Kirk Leisher is building the sets and he actually has set dads assisting him.”

Conti also discussed the costumes.

“We actually have a huge costume closet,” Conti said. “That’s our base. We assign costumes to the kids but two moms are heading the costume [designing].

“Noushin Sprossel, Alex’s mother, made all the party costumes out of old curtains and Rebecca Bell, Thomas’ mother, is so helpful.”

The two moms are making the most of the costumes that are available.

“We’re using black graduation gowns and adding white touches for the nuns’ habits,” said the director.

Conti is enjoying working with the middle school actors. “I’m here to give the kids a positive experience with the theater,” he said. “It’s not a small feat to put on a show but [the kids] could definitely handle it.”

“It’s a very family oriented show,” said Conti. “Little kids would love it but it’s also good for adults because it has a complex story as well.”

The three performances of “The Sound of Music” will be at 7 p.m. April 29 and 30 and 2 p.m. May 1. Tickets will be available at the door.