(L to r) Kevin Earley as Captain Georg von Trapp, Cayleigh Capaldi as Maria Rainer, and the von Trapp children. Photo by Jeremy Daniel.
“The Sound of Music,” directed by Jack O’Brien and currently at The Kennedy Center, is nothing short of heartwarming. From the abbey to the hills to the von Trapp mansion, the production leans into what audiences love most—Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II’s unforgettable musical numbers.
…delivers on every level: set, costumes, choreography, music, and cast…family-friendly production that carries both joy and gravity…
The audience, carried away by the sheer nostalgia of the score and Jonathan Marrow’s musical direction, couldn’t help but hum and sing along to “How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria” (Cayleigh Capaldi as Maria Rainer), “My Favorite Things” (Capaldi with Christiane Noll as the Mother Abbess), “Do-Re-Mi” (Capaldi and the von Trapp children), “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” (Ariana Ferch as Liesl and Ian Coursey as Rolf), and “So Long, Farewell” (the von Trapp children, with Danny Mefford’s endearing clock-like choreography).
At the heart of this production is Maria, played with warmth and vivacity by Cayleigh Capaldi. She is a sharp contrast to the rigid rules of the abbey (where she must even ask permission to sing or to look in the mirror) and the von Trapp household (where Kevin Earley as Captain Georg von Trapp runs a joyless ship, summoning his children with a whistle and forbidding playtime). Her character’s arc is to discover that “the love between a man and a woman is holy too,” and that being in love does not mean loving God less.
When the children sing “The Sound of Music” so harmoniously and Captain von Trapp joins in, the shift is touching. Still, Kevin Earley’s transition from stoic captain to softened father happens rather swiftly. The production might benefit from sustaining his sternness a bit longer, which would make the eventual transformation feel even more earned. Another highlight is “So Long, Farewell,” as Luciana Vandette as little Gretl climbs the stairs backwards, melting the audience completely. These tender scenes are balanced by darker reminders of history. In Act II, Nazi flags drape the stage as the family is pressured to align with the Third Reich. Even the playful “Do-Re-Mi” takes on a chilling edge, the lyric “jam and bread” echoing as “German bread.”
Visually, this production is stunning. It opens inside the abbey with a soaring stained-glass window projection, immediately setting a reverent tone. The projections of the mountainside are so vivid they almost seem real, especially paired with practical elements like a small bridge set downstage. Scenic design by Douglas W. Schmidt makes each transition grand: the von Trapp villa, with its floor-to-ceiling windows, chandeliers, and sweeping staircase, is breathtaking. The set extends to a full portico with balcony, garden structures, and patio furniture—a richly detailed stage picture where “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” unfolds.
The wedding scene is perhaps the most lavish as stained glass windows glow as light streams in, rows of nuns frame the stage, and the altar is complete with kneeling bench and priest. Lighting designer Natasha Katz creates an atmosphere reminiscent of “The Crown” or “Downton Abbey.” Costumes by Jane Greenwood are equally meticulous. The children’s play clothes made from curtains look exactly as remembered from the film, the nuns wear full habits, and Maria’s wedding gown is nothing less than stunning.
“The Sound of Music,” delivers on every level—the set, costumes, choreography, music, and cast. The children—Ariana Ferch (Liesl), Eli Vander Griend (Friedrich), Ava Davis (Louisa), Benjamin Stasiek (Kurt), Haddie Mac (Brigitta), Ruby Caramore (Marta), and Luciana Vandette (Gretl)—shine as true stars. The direction honors the beloved film while making full use of theatrical possibilities. It’s a family-friendly production that carries both joy and gravity. It reminds us that love and resilience are as vital today as they were leading up to WWII and that music remains a powerful form of self-expression, whether in the sweetness of “jam and bread” or in its chilling echo as “German bread.”
Running Time: Two hours 45 minutes including a 20-minute intermission.
Read our “A Quick 5” interview with Cayleigh Capaldi and Kevin Earley here.
“The Sound of Music” runs through October 5, 2025, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Opera House. 2700 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20566. For more information and to purchase tickets, please go online.
