Meet Max of 'The Sound of Music'

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This week, we are  introducing you to selected members of The Sound of Music national touring company visiting Denver from Tuesday through Sunday (June 21-26). We begin with the actor playing Max Detweiler:

Meet Merwin Foard:

  • merwin-foard-400Your role: Max Detweiler
  • Where you grew up: Charlotte, N.C.
  • Where you call home: Mount Kisco, about 35 miles north of New York City
  • Training: BFA from
  • Most recently: 

1 PerspectivesWhat’s your first remembrance of anything Sound of Music? I remember seeing The Sound of Music at the movie theater when it first came out.  I was so impressed by the children in the cast. I thought Charmian Carr, the actress who played Liesl, was DREAMY! Also, it was so cool that there was an intermission at a movie.

2 PerspectivesWhy do you think this musical continues to resonate in the hearts of musical and movie fans worldwide? I think resonates today for very different reasons than it did back in the 1960s – our current political climate being chief among them. It will always ring true to the hope of a better tomorrow and the strong family dynamic that’s represented in this classic story.

(Pictured at right: Merwin Foard as Max in the national touring production of ‘The Sound of Music’ opening in Denver on June 21. Photo by Matthew Murphy.)

3 PerspectivesFavorite bit of Sound of Music trivia? I love the fact that during the filming of the movie, Julie Andrews and Christopher Plumber were so punchy during the song “Something Good” that director Robert Wise had to film them in silhouette to disguise their giggles.

4 PerspectivesWhat’s one thing about you that can’t possibly be true of anyone else in your cast? I am the only father in our entire touring cast! I have two daughters:  Phoebe, who is 22, and Bailey, who’s 17. 

5 PerspectivesHow well do you know Colorado? I love Denver and the state of Colorado. I love that that you can see mountains from almost anywhere. The first time I played Denver was on a national tour of Show Boat starring Donald O’Connor of Singin’ in the Rain fame. More recently, I was in Denver appearing in the pre-Broadway run of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. I am thrilled to be back here in this fine production of The Sound of Music.


READ OUR INTERVIEW WITH R&H PRESIDENT TED CHAPIN


The Sound of Music: Ticket information
June 21-26
Buell Theatre
Tickets: 303-893-4100 or BUY ONLINE
Groups: Call 303-446-4829
ASL interpreted, Audio Described and Open Captioned performance: 2 p.m., June 25

Previous NewsCenter coverage of The Sound of Music
The Real Von Trapps and the sound of freedom
The ‘President of Theatre’ on the enduring popularity of The Sound of Music
Meet Liesl, Paige Silvester
Visit the official show page