Interview: Ashley Brown from THE SOUND OF MUSIC on Tour

THE SOUND OF MUSIC is one of the most beloved and enjoyed musicals by the famed duo of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. The music transcends the ages and brings together a marvelous story with rich music and lyrics. As THE SOUND OF MUSIC tours around North America in the newly imagined and brilliantly executed show, Ashley Brown, who plays the role of Mother Abbess, shared with BWW her experiences and enthusiasm for the opportunity to be part of this historic show.

Tell us a little about yourself and how you first got involved in performing.

I grew up in Gulfport, Florida. It's a small town near Pensacola, Florida. I'm the youngest of four and no one is in this business at all. Nobody sings or anything so we don't really know where it came from. I started singing in church when I was young and would join choirs growing up and started with the theater in high school. I just got the bug. I started taking voice lessons when I was in high school and I had a lot of teachers pushing me saying, "You have something special. You should pursue this." And I'm really happy I did. I went to college at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. I got my degree there and then moved to New York City with my one way ticket. I've been so fortunate to make my Broadway debut as Belle in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST on Broadway and I was able to originate the role of MARY POPPINS on Broadway. Now I'm here playing Mother Abbess in THE SOUND OF MUSIC. It's been an amazing run.

What are some stand-out experiences that you have had in your career?

It's hard to choose just one but I would have to say that being able to originate a role has always been a dream and I had no idea it was going to happen to me so early on in my career. And to originate something that's so iconic was really rewarding and I think it becomes even more special as I get older and look back. It's taking opportunities as they come in this business. It's like playing the Mother Abbess at 30 years old. I didn't think it would be coming this early but Jack O'Brien, our director, wanted to make this something different and make the relationship between Maria and Mother Abbess different. I find it to be interesting. In a way ,I've been able to make this my own as well, a role that's been done a million times by a lot of different people and to be the youngest one ever. And it works. It makes a different relationship. I'm still on my journey too versus being at a final moment. It's interesting. Just when you think you know what your career's going to be, you don't. It's great to roll with the challenges and make everything your own.

How did you get the role of Mother Abbess in THE SOUND OF MUSIC?

I auditioned with Jack O'Brien. He's one of the most amazing directors and he's been on my list of people to work for before it's all over. I went in not knowing exactly whether he wanted me for Maria; I think he was still playing around with ages as well. Then, I got the call from my agent (saying), "Are you sitting down? They said they want you to be the Mother Abbess." And I (said), "They know I'm 30 years old, right?" We had a few meetings and we talked about what he wanted with the role and how he wanted it different and it went from there. It was an amazing journey working with him. I think one of the most surprising things is how people are coming to the show not knowing what to expect which is really great with THE SOUND OF MUSIC because it is such a well-known story. To have an element of surprise in something that you've seen a million times is exciting. I think people have been happy. We've been selling out everywhere we go. I think people are enjoying this new take on the story and it's revitalized. That' what's been exciting and surprising and awesome about the show. The stage production in general is different than the movie. There are additional songs and there are still all the songs that everyone loves. The Mother Abbess isn't 60. And Maria, Kerstin Anderson, who plays Maria; she's 21 years old, she's not your Julie Andrews type but she has a beautiful voice. Everything is not what you expect but in a really good way. It elevates the story again. We're not reinventing the wheel by any means but it's a fresher take on it. I think if you're going to do THE SOUND OF MUSIC you gotta do it in a new way. Everybody's seen it, heard it. I think the Rogers and Hammerstein foundation and then Jack O'Brien was really adamant about, "This is the reason we're doing it not just to do the same old thing."

What advice do you have for anyone who is thinking about getting into show business?

Continue to love it and when you're in high school and college, the best advice I ever got was to work on your weaknesses when you're around people who care. I think that is so true. That's exactly what I did. Once you move to New York or LA or wherever you go to pursue this, nobody cares if you're not a good dancer. They just go, "No, Thanks." When you're in college and when you're in high school, you have teachers around you who are trying to make you better. So, if you feel like acting is your weakness, do monologues every single day; scenes every single day. Put yourself out there and be vulnerable when people care. I think that was the best piece of advice. I went into Cincinnati Conservatory as a singer and I knew I wasn't as good of a dancer or an actor and I made sure every year that I did all the things that make me scared and all the things that make me nervous while I was there and then once I graduated, I was as good of an actor and dancer as I was a singer. I was more of a package. It would have been easier for me to get up and sing a song in every class because that was my comfort zone. So, I think, get out of your comfort zone when you're around people who care about you and want to make you better.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC arrives in Austin on February 23, 2016 and plays through until February 28, 2016. Get your tickets by going to Texas Performing Arts.