The Sound of Music at DPAC Is a Lavish,
Heartfelt Revival of a Timeless Classic

Cayleigh Capaldi stars as Maria Rainer in The Sound of Music on Oct. 7-12 at the Durham Performing Arts Center (photo by Jeremy Daniel)

Few musicals hold as cherished a place in American hearts as The Sound of Music, the beloved Rodgers & Hammerstein classic that first graced Broadway in 1959. Now playing at the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) through Sunday, Oct. 12th, this lavish 2025 touring production -- directed by three-time Tony Award® winner Jack O'Brien (Hairspray) -- reminds audiences why the story of Maria Rainer and the von Trapp family continues to enchant generation after generation.

Based on The Story of the Trapp Family Singers, a 1949 memoir by Maria von Trapp (1905-87), the musical chronicles the story of a young postulant sent from Nonnberg Abbey in Salzburg, Austria, to serve as governess to the seven children of widowed naval Captain Georg von Trapp (1880-1947). As Maria brings music and laughter back into their lives, she finds her own calling -- both as a mother and as a wife -- just as the family faces the growing threat of Nazi occupation.

The Sound of Music stars Christiane Noll (left) as the Mother Abbess and Cayleigh Capaldi as Maria Rainer (photo by Jeremy Daniel)

In this production, Maria von Trapp is played by Cayleigh Capaldi, a performer with an impressive résumé that includes leading roles as Celine Dion and Rose in the Off-Broadway hit Titaníque and a West End stint earlier this year. Capaldi's crystalline soprano and fearless yodeling in "The Lonely Goatherd" earned well-deserved applause from Tuesday's opening-night crowd. Yet her portrayal of Maria leans, at times, too heavily on boundless energy. Maria's zest for life is central to the story, but Capaldi's near-manic exuberance occasionally crosses into unsettling territory, especially in scenes with the children, where a touch more nuance would deepen the warmth of her portrayal.

Broadway veteran Christiane Noll brings gravitas and vocal power to her role as the Mother Abbess. Her rendition of "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" fills the cavernous DPAC with an emotional transcendence that is almost spiritual. The ensemble of nuns surrounding her is equally superb -- their harmonies pristine, their timing precise, and their presence luminous, particularly during the wedding scene that closes Act II.

The Sound of Music stars Kevin Earley as Captain Georg von Trapp and Cayleigh Capaldi as Maria Rainer, shown her with
the von Trapp children (from left) Ariana Ferch as Liesl, Eli Vander Griend as Friedrich, Ava Davis as Louisa, Benjamin
Stasiek as Kurt, Haddie Mac as Brigitta, Ruby Caramore as Marta, and Luciana VanDette as Gretl (photo by Jeremy Daniel)

Kevin Earley delivers a marvelous Captain Georg von Trapp, capturing the full emotional arc of his character's transformation -- from stern disciplinarian to tender father and lover. Earley's duet with Capaldi in "Something Good" is tenderly understated, and his solo "Edelweiss" embodies both patriotism and loss.

Adding warmth and humor to the narrative are Nicholas Rodriguez as Max Detweiler and Kate Loprest as Elsa Schraeder. Rodriguez plays Max with a charming blend of cynicism and sincerity, and his easy rapport with Loprest gives their scenes a playful sophistication.

Kevin Earley and Cayleigh Capaldi star as Capt. Georg von Trapp and Maria Rainer (photo by Jeremy Daniel)

But it's the von Trapp children who steal the show. Ariana Ferch (Liesl); Eli Vander Griend (Friedrich); Ava Davis (Louisa); Oliver Cirelli (standing in for Benjamin Stasiek, as Kurt); Haddie Mac (Brigitta); Ruby Caramore (Marta); and Luciana VanDette (Gretl) -- all of these young actors and singers conjure the famously talented children that they are portraying. From their crisp choreography to their sweet, clear harmonies, the young performers bring authenticity and joy to every moment onstage. Haddie Mac's Brigitta, in particular, stands out -- her blatant observations and perfectly timed quips earn some of the biggest laughs of the night.

The technical and design elements of this production are nothing short of breathtaking. Douglas W. Schmidt's sets evoke a sense of grandeur and intimacy all at once. One moment, the audience gazes through floor-to-ceiling windows onto snow-capped Austrian mountains; the next, we're inside the shadowy, stained-glass-lit abbey. The fluid transitions and architectural detail make each scene feel like a glimpse inside an exquisitely crafted (and located) dollhouse.

Ian Coursey stars as Rolf Gruber and Ariana Ferch stars as Liesl von Trapp in The Sound of Music at DPAC (photo by Jeremy Daniel)

Complementing the scenic magic are Jane Greenwood's historically faithful costumes -- flowing habits, crisp naval uniforms, and soft floral dresses -- that lend the production its timeless aesthetic. Natasha Katz's lighting design, subtle yet transformative, shifts seamlessly between the warmth of domestic scenes and the looming tension of political upheaval.

Meanwhile, Kai Harada's sound design ensures every note -- whether whispered or belted -- resonates clearly in DPAC's expansive auditorium. The technical precision of this show is a masterclass in theatrical craft.

Cayleigh Capaldi (left) and Christiane Noll star as Maria Rainer and Mother Abbess (photo by Jeremy Daniel)

Jack O'Brien's direction maintains a delicate balance between nostalgia and emotional truth. He resists the temptation to reinvent The Sound of Music for modern sensibilities, instead allowing the story's inherent sincerity and moral courage to shine through. The pacing is brisk but never rushed, and even the most familiar songs -- "Sixteen Going on Seventeen," "Do-Re-Mi," and "So Long, Farewell" -- feel fresh thanks to the cast's palpable connection and vocal excellence.

On opening night, the audience ranged from preschoolers to octogenarians, proving the show's enduring cross-generational appeal. This Sound of Music is more than a revival -- it's a reminder that joy, courage, and family perseveres even in the darkest times. It's well worth staying up past bedtime.

Cayleigh Capaldi stars as Maria Rainer in The Sound of Music at DPAC (photo by Jeremy Daniel)

Verdict: The Sound of Music is stunning, family-friendly revival that honors the heart of a classic while showcasing the best of current Broadway artistry.

Christiane Noll stars as the Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music at DPAC (photo by Jeremy Daniel)

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Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, Howard Lindsay, and Russel Crouse's THE SOUND OF MUSIC (In Person at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 7-12), directed by Jack O'Brien; choreographed by Danny Mefford; starring Cayleigh Capaldi as Maria Rainer, Christiane Noll as Mother Abbess, Kevin Earley as Captain Georg von Trapp, Nicholas Rodriguez as Max Detweiler, Sydney K. Borchers as Ursula/A New Postulant, Kate Loprest as Elsa Schraeder, Ariana Ferch as Liesl von Trapp, Ian Coursey as Rolf Gruber, Eli Vander Griend as Friedrich von Trapp, Ava Davis as Louisa von Trapp, Benjamin Stasiek as Kurt von Trapp, Haddie Mac as Brigitta von Trapp, Ruby Caramore as Marta von Trapp, Luciana VanDette as Gretl von Trapp, Harper Burns (understudy for Marta and Gretl), Oliver Cirelli (understudy for Friedrich and Kurt), Molly Glowacki (understudy for Louiisa and Brigitta), John Adkison as Franz the butler, Corey Greenan as Admiral von Schreiber, Daniel Robert Sullivan as Herr Zeller, Jade Litaker as Sister Berthe/Baroness Elberfeld, Meredith Lustig as Sister Sophia, Jennifer Malenke as Frau Schmidt the housekeeper, Mark Bradley Miller as Baron Elberfeld, Tess Primack as Sister Margaretta; and an Ensemble that includes John Adkison, Blaire Eilene Baker, Sydney K. Borchers, Dylan Bradford, dance captain Alli Echelmeyer, Corey Greenan, Zach Herman, Charlotte Jenkins, Jane Littaker, Meredith Lustig, Jennifer Malenke, Mark Bradley Miller, Tess Primack, and Daniel Robert Sullivan; and Swings that include Steven Grant Douglas and Ruthie Sangster; and presented locally as part of WRAL's Greatest Hits of Broadway (Durham Performing Arts Center in Durham). DIGITAL PROGRAM: https://issuu.com/dpac0/docs/the_sound_of_music. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1BcGyk4zko&t=2s. THE PRESENTER/VENUE: https://www.dpacnc.com/, https://www.facebook.com/DPACNC, https://www.instagram.com/DPACNC/, https://www.tiktok.com/@dpacnc, https://x.com/DPAC, and https://www.youtube.com/@DPACLive. 2025-26 BROADWAY AT DPAC: https://www.dpacnc.com/broadway-at-dpac/season/broadway-at-dpacs-2025-2026-season. DIRECTIONS: https://www.dpacnc.com/plan-your-visit/directions. PARKING: https://www.dpacnc.com/plan-your-visit/parking. THE SOUND OF MUSIC (1959 Broadway and 1961 West End musical): https://www.concordtheatricals.com/p/57263/the-sound-of-music and https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-show/the-sound-of-music-8195. THE SCRIPT: https://archive.org/details/sound-of-music-script-1/page/n5/mode/2up. STUDY GUIDE (Utah Shakespeare Festival): https://www.bard.org/study-guides/the-sound-of-music-study-guide/. RICHARD RODGERS (New York City-born composer, nee Richard Charles Rodgers, 1902-79): https://web.archive.org/web/20110807215144/http://www.rnh.com/bio/175/Rodgers-Richard, https://www.concordtheatricals.com/a/103119/richard-rodgers, https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/richard-rodgers-8323, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0006256/, and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Rodgers. OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II (New York City-born lyricist, nee Oscar Greeley Clendenning Hammerstein II, 1895-1960): http://www.rnh.com/bio/154/Hammerstein-II-Oscar, https://www.concordtheatricals.com/a/2264/oscar-hammerstein-ii, https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/oscar-hammerstein-ii-7965, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0358564/, and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_Hammerstein_II. HOWARD LINDSAY (Waterford, NY-born playwright and screenwriter, nee Herman Nelke, 1889-1968): https://web.archive.org/web/20110805100559/http://www.rnh.com/bio/78/Lindsay-Howard, https://www.concordtheatricals.com/a/4039/howard-lindsay, https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/howard-lindsay-6373 https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0512231/, and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Lindsay. RUSSEL CROUSE (Findlay, OH-born playwright and screenwriter, 1893-1966): https://web.archive.org/web/20110806020918/http://www.rnh.com/bio/164/Crouse-Russel, https://www.concordtheatricals.com/a/5048/russel-crouse, https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/russel-crouse-8531, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0189496/, and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russel_Crouse. THE TOUR (Sept. 5, 2025-Present): https://soundofmusicontour.com/, https://www.networkstours.com/show/the-sound-of-music/, https://www.ibdb.com/tour-production/the-sound-of-music-543115, https://www.facebook.com/TheSoundOfMusicOnTour/, and https://www.instagram.com/soundofmusicontour. CAST & CREATIVE TEAM: https://soundofmusicontour.com/cast-and-creative/. WARNING: DPAC cautions, "This event utilizes fog and haze smoke effects and non-firing prop firearms." NOTE: Arts Access, Inc. of Raleigh will audio-describe and sign-language interpret the show's 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11th, performance. TICKETS: $45 and up (includes taxes and fees). Click here to buy tickets. (Note: DPAC has $30 plus tax Student Rush tickets for students with ID. Click here and scroll down for details.) GROUPS (10+ tickets): 919-680-2787, Groups@DPACnc.com, and https://www.dpacnc.com/events/groups-services. INFORMATION: 919-680-2787 or CustomerService@DPACnc.com. Susie Potter's Triangle Arts Review Review.

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