Displaying items by tag: The Sound Of Music

The beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein classic The Sound of Music returns to the Windy City in a dazzling stage revival now playing at the James M. Nederlander Theatre. This timeless tale of love, courage, and music unfolds with renewed vibrancy, inviting audiences of all ages to fall in love all over again.

Whether you're a lifelong devotee of the film or stage version or stepping into Maria’s world for the very first time, this production offers a theatrical experience that’s as rich as it is resonant. From its sweeping alpine backdrops and meticulously crafted sets to a cast that radiates warmth, wit, and vocal brilliance, every element is designed to stir the soul.

At its core, The Sound of Music remains one of the most enduring love stories ever told - between Maria and Captain von Trapp, yes, but also between a family and their homeland, between music and the human spirit. With iconic songs like “Edelweiss,” “My Favorite Things,” and “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” this revival doesn’t just revisit a classic - it reawakens it.

Cayleigh Capaldi (Maria Rainer) in The Sound of Music.

The Sound of Music is a luminous and emotionally stirring stage musical set against the breathtaking backdrop of pre-World War II Austria. At its heart is Maria, a spirited and unconventional postulant at Nonnberg Abbey whose zest for life and spontaneous bursts into song set her apart from the cloistered world of the convent. When she is sent to serve as governess to the seven children of the widowed and emotionally distant Captain Georg von Trapp, Maria finds herself in a household governed by strict discipline and silence. Though initially met with skepticism and resistance, her warmth, imagination, and infectious love of music gradually break through the children’s defenses - and eventually, the Captain’s as well.

As Maria reawakens the household with laughter and melody, the von Trapp family begins to rediscover one another. The children, once regimented and joyless, blossom under her care, and the Captain, long hardened by grief and duty, finds himself drawn to Maria’s vitality and compassion. Their growing affection unfolds tenderly, culminating in a romance that feels both inevitable and hard-won. The family’s transformation is mirrored in the music they create together - joyful, tender, and deeply human. Songs like “Do-Re-Mi,” “My Favorite Things,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen,” and “Edelweiss” become not just musical numbers, but emotional touchstones that chart the family’s journey from isolation to unity.

Yet, as the hills come alive with music, the world beyond their villa darkens. The Anschluss—the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany - casts a chilling shadow over their newfound happiness. When Captain von Trapp is ordered to accept a commission in the German navy, he is faced with a moral reckoning. Refusing to serve a regime he cannot support, he and his family must make a harrowing decision: to flee their homeland in search of freedom. Their escape, staged during a public music festival, becomes a moment of breathtaking suspense and quiet heroism, culminating in their flight across the mountains under cover of night.

Premiering on Broadway in 1959, The Sound of Music marked the final collaboration between legendary composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II. It remains a cornerstone of American musical theater, cherished for its soaring melodies, heartfelt storytelling, and its enduring message: that love, courage, and the human spirit can triumph even in the darkest of times. Its legacy continues to resonate with audiences around the world, reminding us that music can be both a refuge and a rallying cry.

Cayleigh Capaldi brings a luminous vitality to Maria, infusing the role with a captivating mix of innocence, mischief, and emotional depth. From her first entrance, Capaldi radiates warmth and charisma, embodying the spirited young woman whose heart leads her from the abbey to the hills of Austria. Her Maria is not just charming - she’s refreshingly authentic, with a spark of wit and a tender vulnerability that makes her journey feel deeply personal. Capaldi navigates the character’s emotional terrain with finesse, shifting effortlessly between playful exuberance and introspective grace.

Vocally, she is nothing short of commanding. Her voice glides through the Nederlander Theatre with shimmering clarity and expressive nuance, embracing the full emotional spectrum of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s iconic score. In ensemble numbers like “Do-Re-Mi,” she leads with transmittable energy and precision, while her solo moments—especially the titular “The Sound of Music” - reveal a soul-stirring resonance that lingers long after the final note.

Capaldi doesn’t just play Maria - she inhabits her, offering a performance that is both technically masterful and emotionally alive. It’s a portrayal that anchors the production with heart, humor, and undeniable star power.

Kevin Earley delivers a commanding and emotionally resonant performance as Captain Georg von Trapp, offering a portrayal that evolves with striking depth and humanity. At first glance, Earley embodies the Captain’s military precision and stoic reserve with effortless authority. His posture, tone, and presence reflect a man shaped by discipline and loss—a widower clinging to order in a world that feels increasingly uncertain. Yet beneath that stern exterior, Earley allows glimmers of vulnerability to emerge, setting the stage for a gradual and deeply moving transformation.

As Maria’s influence begins to thaw the Captain’s guarded heart, Earley’s performance shifts with subtlety and grace. His rediscovery of music, paternal warmth, and romantic possibility is portrayed with such sincerity that the emotional payoff feels both earned and profound. In moments of quiet reflection and tender connection - especially with his children and Maria - Earley reveals the soul of a man learning to live and love again.

Together, he and Cayleigh Capaldi share a chemistry that is both grounded and electric. Their dynamic breathes fresh life into this iconic love story, anchoring the production with emotional truth and theatrical finesse. These are not just roles well played - they are characters fully lived, making their journey as stirring as the music that carries it.

Supporting players bring depth, power, and polish to this production of The Sound of Music, with standout performances that elevate the emotional and comedic stakes.

Christiane Noll commands the stage as Mother Abbess, delivering a performance that is both spiritually grounded and vocally transcendent. Her rendition of “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” is nothing short of breathtaking - a soaring, soul-stirring anthem that anchors the show’s emotional core. Noll’s presence exudes wisdom and warmth, portraying the Abbess not just as a religious figure, but as a guiding force in Maria’s journey toward self-discovery and love. Her voice, rich and resonant, fills the Nederlander Theatre with a sense of hope and conviction that lingers long after the final note.

Nicholas Rodriguez is pitch-perfect as Max Detweiler, the savvy and socially nimble Third Secretary of Education and Culture. Rodriguez leans into Max’s charm and opportunism with delightful precision, capturing the character’s comic timing and moral ambiguity without ever tipping into caricature. His rapport with the von Trapp family feels genuine, and his scenes crackle with energy—especially as he navigates the shifting political landscape with a mix of wit and self-preservation. Rodriguez’s Max is a man who knows how to play the game but never loses sight of the music that gives life its meaning.

Kate Loprest brings elegance and edge to Elsa Schraeder, the sophisticated socialite poised to become the Captain’s second wife. Loprest’s portrayal is layered - cool and composed on the surface, yet subtly revealing the cracks beneath as Maria’s influence grows. She captures Elsa’s ambition and vulnerability with finesse, making her more than just a foil to Maria. Loprest’s performance adds complexity to the romantic triangle, reminding us that even the “would-be” wife has her own story to tell.

Together, these performers enrich the production with texture, tension, and vocal brilliance - ensuring that The Sound of Music resonates far beyond its central love story.

Ian Coursey (Rolf Gruber) and Ariana Ferch (Liesl von Trapp) in The Sound of Music.

The von Trapp children light up the stage with charm, precision, and musicality, bringing warmth and vitality to every scene they inhabit. From the moment they appear, the young performers captivate with their seamless harmonies, crisp choreography, and infectious energy. Each child brings a distinct personality to their role, yet together they form a cohesive and endearing ensemble that anchors the emotional heart of the production. Their comedic timing and heartfelt interactions with Maria add levity and tenderness, making their scenes some of the most memorable in the show.

Leading the pack is Ariana Ferch as Liesl, the eldest daughter navigating the cusp of adulthood with grace and curiosity. Finch delivers a beautifully layered performance - equal parts youthful exuberance and emerging maturity. Her voice is clear and expressive, and she moves with a dancer’s ease, especially in the show-stopping number “Sixteen Going On Seventeen.” Paired with Ian Coursey as Rolf Gruber, the two share a chemistry that sparkles with innocence and flirtation. Coursey brings a boyish charm and vocal strength to Rolf, and together, their duet becomes a highlight of the evening - playful, romantic, and visually delightful.

This production doesn’t just rely on nostalgia - it reinvigorates the von Trapp children with fresh talent and heartfelt performances, reminding us why their story continues to resonate across generations.

Brilliantly directed by Jack O’Brien, I have nothing but high praise for this wonderful production of The Sound of Music. Broadway in Chicago’s offering is a glorious revival that sings with heart, harmony, and timeless magic! With its grand, meticulously crafted sets, powerhouse vocals, and standout performances across the board, this production of The Sound of Music is nothing short of a theatrical triumph.

Highly Recommended.

The Sound of Music is being performed through November 2^nd at the James M. Nederlander Theatre. For tickets and/or more show information, visit https://www.broadwayinchicago.com/shows/the-sound-of-music/.

From the moment the sisters along with Mother Abbess sang “Maria” in one of the show’s earliest numbers, I knew I was in for a special performance. Their voices soared through the theater with a magnificence beyond what I had hoped. And when Mother Abbess (so richly performed by Susan Moniz) sang the final line in the song, “How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand”, it nearly brought tears to my eyes – just the beauty in her voice and the compassion within her words.

Paramount Theatre is currently taking on one of the most timeless musicals ever created in stage history in Rogers and Hammerstein’s “The Sound of Music”. And though many excellent renderings of this musical have come through Chicago over the past several decades, I can only imagine that this production would join the others among the best produced, casted and performed. From its majestic sets that seamlessly change from scene to scene to its large catalog of masterpiece musical theater numbers, this production wows the audience one scene after another.

The Sound of Music is based on the 1949 memoir penned by Maria von Trapp The Story of the Trapp Family Singers. The story was first staged on November 16^th, 1959 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre before being released as a film in March of 1965 where it won just about every award imaginable, taking off internationally thanks in part to memorable performances by Julie Andrew and the late, great Christopher Plummer. Taking place in 1938 Salzburg, Austria, its story revolves around Maria, a wannabe nun that might not be quite ready for life in The Abbey. Wanting her explore life again on the outside before committing to sisterhood, the Mother Abbess sends free-spirited Maria to serve as a governess for the widowed Captain Georg von Trapp, a retired naval officer, where she would care for his seven children. Georg is strict and has distanced himself from his children since his wife’s passing. His children now answer to whistles and march as though they were in the military. Maria becomes intent on not only breaking through to the children (who are now on their seventh governess) but also connecting them once again with their father whom they once knew much more closely. While doing so, unexpected feelings emerge between Maria and Georg. At the same time, Nazi Germany is spreading throughout Europe, Austria being no exception. The beloved country was being annexed by Hitler’s dark empire. But Georg is a devout Austrian and refuses to serve under the Third Reich. So, then the story also becomes one of escape.

For a Sound of Music production to work well, Maria must be cast well. And in Paramount’s production, they have done just that. Alicia Kaori is extraordinary. She gives us a Maria who is playful, warm, understanding, loyal, devoted, brave and adventurous. She brims with confidence when needed yet occasionally wrestles with her doubts. Kaori’s vocals are also impressive - her range is remarkable.

The remainder of the cast is superb.  As mentioned prior, Susan Moziz excels as Mother Abbess though excellence is also found in Christopher Kale Jones’ portrayal of Captain Georg von Trapp. He does a great vocally but also in capturing the captain’s exacting behavior while showing his vulnerability and his need for love again. With a cast so large, the standouts are plentiful. Included in that group would be Julia Aragon as the eldest von Trapp sibling, Liesl – one of the show’s highlights being her and Rolf’s (Michael Harp) rendition of “Sixteen Going on Seventeen”. Stephen Schellhardt as Max Detweiler and Nellie Shuford as Baroness Elberfeld are both quality additions and take on their roles with much aplomb. The children are fun to watch as their talent should not be overlooked, as well as the production’s ensemble roles.

Every aspect seems to have been taken in consideration while creating this production. The sets, massive and detailed, take us inside the von Trapp home so much that we, the audience, almost feel we are invited guests during the party scene and concert goers during the Sazburg Music Festival. The costumes are rich and painstakingly precise, giving the production an element of authenticity at every turn.

If you are already familiar with the story and are looking forward to hearing to hearing such classics as “Do-Re-Mi”, “Edelweiss”, “So Long Farewell”, “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” or its exhilarating title track, “The Sound of Music”, you will not be disappointed. If you’ve never seen the film or staged production before, you will undoubtedly become a fan.

Adeptly directed and choreographed by Amber Mak, this incredible production of The Sound of Music is being performed at the Paramount Theatre through January 14^th. For tickets and/or more show information click here.

Highly Recommended!

Chicago is alive with the sound of music, thanks to the return of Rogers and Hammerstein’s classic musical now playing at Cadillac Palace that comes with a delightfully vibrant cast and an orchestra that is able to capture the uttermost essence of the original score. Directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien, The Sound of Music is in town for just a limited engagement so if you’d like to take in one of the most enduring musicals of all time, you had better act quickly.

Most know the story that takes place in World War II Austria where a “rebellious” nun-to-be, Maria, is sent by the Abbey to the home of the widowed Captain von Trapp, a wealthy and successful Naval officer, to act as the governess for his seven children. She enters a strict household where there is no longer a place for music but rather is closer to the environment found on one of the Captain’s sea vessels. This is a tightly run ship, where orders are barked and children answer to whistle tones. No one dares oppose the way the Captain runs his household, that is, of course, until Maria enters the picture. As the story progresses, Maria kind-heartedness slowly breaks through to the Captain and a whirlwind of love story takes place as the two realize they have eyes for each other.    

With the Third Reich threatening to take over Austria and enlist the Captain’s services, the story takes another turn when the head of the Von Trapp household refuses to support the Nazi ideal. The Sound of Music is a classic love story adventure that has won the hearts of millions not just by its compelling story but by its sensational soundtrack. 

Usually, it is the role of Maria that runs away with the story and is relished and admired so much by its audience. However, in this case, Ben Davis as Captain Georg von Trapp is so dynamic, both vocally and in his acting performance, that so say he stole the show would be a heavy understatement. Displaying a vocal range from a seasoned baritone to a gifted soprano, while so well capturing the essence of a hardened man softened then transfixed by the love, forgiveness and admiration of a young woman, Davis makes one wonder if it is possible to play the role of Captain von Trapp any better. 

But you do need a strong Maria or the play cannot work - period. Kerstin Anderson as Maria is strong indeed. Probably taking the role a bit on the nerdy side in a bit of a twist, Anderson still has the warmth and charm, and is frankly…likeable. Able to harness the much-needed free-spirited persona into her character with seemingly natural ease, she certainly flows gracefully in her role, and she, like Davis, can also belt. 

The supporting roles are also well cast from the Melody Betts as the Mother Abbess to Merwin Foard as the wheeling and dealing Max Detweiler. Talented too are the child actors who make up The Family von Trapp, particularly Paige Sylvester who plays Liesl and also Dan Tracy as Rolf Gruber, her love interest. Sylvester and Tracy especially light up the stage during their inspiring number “Sixteen Going on Seventeen”. 

With such amazing songs as “Do-Re-Mi”, “Climb Every Mountain”, “The Sound of Music” and “Edelweiss”, we are literally treated to one great after another. The Sound of Music is without question both vocally and visually entertaining. The set beautifully depicts the von Trapp mansion, helping to bring this wonderful story to life.

To put it simply, you won’t want to miss this one. 

The Sound of Music is being performed at Cadillac Palace through just June 19th. For tickets and/or more show information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com. 

With so many ways to enjoy springtime in Chicago, The Sound of Music, currently being performed at Lyric Opera of Chicago, should certainly make your list of to dos. With acting heavyweight, Billy Zane, and Broadway star, Jenn Gambatese, leading the way, audience members are treated to a most memorable performance of the Rogers and Hammerstein classic that will have you singing that catchy little “Do Re Mi” days after you’ve seen the show.   

As a general rule for success with this particular musical, it’s safe to say that to truly bring "The Sound of Music" alive on stage, a strong supporting cast is utterly essential, but most important of all, the show requires a vibrant “Maria” who exudes wholesome fun and is convincing as a free spirit. Done and done. Lyric Opera of Chicago's production of “The Sound of Music” has not only put together a brilliant surrounding cast from top to bottom, but has also struck gold with leads Billy Zane as “Captain Von Trapp” and Jenn Gambatese as “Maria Rainer”. Not only are the two vocally right for the roles; their chemistry together is nothing short of magical, adding a very believable element to this timeless story of love for family and country. And, yes, to alleviate any doubt, if any at all – yes, Billy Zane can sing, and quite well at that. Zane especially makes it crystal clear that he’s not just a big Hollywood name used to sell a show during his gripping vocal performance of “Edelweiss”. I should also mention that his acting was right on the mark too, but that should have already been expected. So, in a nutshell, Zane is surprisingly perfect as “Captain Von Trapp”.      

Lyric Opera of Chicago has succeeded with this production and then some.

Gambatese grabs the audience immediately after her opening number, “The Sound of Music”. And though it is not yet clear where this “Maria” will take us, it doesn’t take long to find out. During her next song, “I Have Confidence”, her talents really stand out and her sparkling personality now officially beams throughout the house. At that point, it is apparent she has thoroughly captured the entire crowd.

The seven Von Trapp children are immediately likeable and, like the rest of the cast, more than vocally efficient. Christine Brewer adds a tasty punch as “The Mother Abbess” boasting her incredible vocal range while Edward Hibbert (of Frasier fame) is a sheer delight as “Max Detweiler”. Other standout performances would include Betsy Farrar as “Liesl” and Elizabeth Futral as “Elsa Schraeder”.

The set design is stunning as the audience is taken inside the Abbey then into different areas of the Von Trapp mansion and its courtyard. The set changes are equally impressive. One highlight has the stage seamlessly transformed from the mansion living room into the very festival in which the performing Von Trapp Singers escape from Nazi occupied Austria.

Many productions of “The Sound of Music” have come and gone and some have stood out more than others. This current production is one that stands at the top. A perfect Spring treat or a family night out, "The Sound of Music" at Lyric Opera of Chicago is an unforgettable experience that you can relish over and over again. This is a show that anyone of any age can enjoy.

"The Sound of Music" is being performed at Lyric Opera of Chicago through May 25^th. For tickets, performance times and/or more information, visit http://www.lyricopera.org/.