The Maria in my school's production was a very white girl with blonde hair. She dyed her hair brown and started using sunless tanner. She was an exquisite Maria.
I would have loved to see her in the role. Her voice is more versatile than we might realize. Have you heard her in "Sweet Smell?" Very different voice from Piazza. She's definitely affecting a southern accent for Piazza. That's not exactly her true voice. She adapts well. I could see her doing it.
Hey, Zoran. Your school must have a really large auditorium or really lousy acoustics. The head mikes y'all use are enormous. Did they try it with natural sound or ambient mikes?