For 65 years, “The Sound of Music” has been one of our “favorite things.” With its timeless story and irresistibly charming score, this Rodgers & Hammerstein classic isn’t just meant to be enjoyed — it’s meant to be shared.
Now, a critically acclaimed North American tour brings the cherished musical to stages across the country to teach a new generation to sing. It plays the Citizens Opera House in Boston January 6-18.
Directed by three-time Tony Award® winner Jack O’Brien (Hairspray), this vibrant and romantic tale of Maria and the von Trapp family will captivate audiences with its universal themes of love, resilience and the power of music.
Featuring beloved songs like “Do-Re-Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and “Edelweiss,” it is the iconic tale of a spirited nun who chooses not to live behind closed doors — and, by following her heart, learns to climb every mountain.
The musical features music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, and was suggested by The Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp. 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of the Oscar-winning film, which continues to be one of the most successful movie musicals of all time.
Stages recently caught up with Christine Noll, who plays “the Mother Abbess” in the show. She has played many other roles on Broadway and on tour, and has been in shows as varied as “Dear Evan Hansen,” “Ragtime,” and “Urinetown.” Here are her answers.
STAGES: Where did you grow up and have you always wanted to do musical theatre?
NOLL: I was born in NYC and was raised in a little town in NJ, 8 miles from midtown Manhattan. My parents were both musicians and I was surrounded by music and a lot of operetta. I was not planning on pursuing music theatre as a career. I had thought about computers or psychology, but I had some wonderful teachers that encouraged me to do the plays and sing in the choirs. So, I ended up in the family business.
S: You have played several iconic women in other shows. How does the mother abbess compare and how are you making her your own?
N: Mother Abbess is terrifying and thrilling. Because the movie is so imprinted in our memory, we have strong ideas about who these characters have been. Mother Abbess is this imposing, powerful “mountain” of a woman. I’m a bit quirky. Dare I say I’m nobody’s mountain, but I have adored exploring all the ways that she sees herself in Maria and finding her humanity. She’s playful but stern to be in charge and revels in remembering another time when she experienced a full range of emotions.
S: ‘The sound of music’ has been around since the 1960’s but doesn’t seem old or dated. Why is that and does this production change anything to make it more modern?
N: A quote from my World Civilizations class in High school; the more things change the more they stay the same. I think audiences are struck with how themes and conflicts in the musical resonate strongly with what we are experiencing today. Friends who saw the show thought we had written new lines and were shocked to know that the script is 65 years old yet still lands with a sting. We haven’t had to do much of anything, but we haven’t shied away from the darker moments. Add the glorious music and you have an experience that is familiar yet somehow feels fresh and new that can be shared with every generation.
S: What do you do to stay healthy on tour?
N: My understanding is that there are 2 years of cities for this tour. To stay healthy, I have embraced sleeping again. As a parent I haven’t known what that feels like for many years. Sleep is a big deal. Water. I cook my own food. I walk a lot. Go to the gym. But my biggest gift to stay emotionally healthy has been flying home every 2 weeks on the day off. Those 24 hours are worth the effort.
S: Anything else you’d like to add?
N: It’s a beautiful show with an exquisite company of generous kind people to tell this gloriously inspirational story. We are so excited to share it with Boston audiences. We are very proud of it.
Visit www.BroadwayInBoston.com for tickets.
Nancye Tuttle’s email is nancyedt@verizon.net.
