Pittsburgh native Michael Campayno talks starring role in 'Sound of Music' with Carrie Underwood

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh native Michael Campayno makes his television debut as Rolf in NBC's live telecast of "The Sound of Music," Thursday, Dec. 5, at 8 p.m. on WPXI-TV. Carrie Underwood, Stephen Moyer, Laura Benanti, Audra McDonald and Christian Borle also star.

Campayno is currently a senior at Carnegie Mellon School of Drama and said he was very excited to learn he got the part.

“It still doesn’t feel real. I can’t put in to words  how excited I am. How honored I am. How taken back I was when I received the call. It’s truly a dream come true,” Campayno told Channel 11.

Campayno grew up in Pittsburgh the youngest of six children and he said his family is even more excited than he is about the opportunity.

“Thank God the announcement is out, because they were all itching to tell all of my friends and other family. We had to keep it hush-hush until the announcement was made. ‘The Sound of Music’ is my aunt’s favorite musical and she was very excited to hear the news,” said Campayno.

His credits include many productions at Pittsburgh CLO, where he is a Gene Kelly Award recipient. Favorite roles include Billy Bigelow in "Carousel" and Gabe in "Next to Normal." He also appeared in "All Shook Up" at North Shore Music Theatre. Campayno said he is grateful for his Pittsburgh roots.

“I can’t stay away from Pittsburgh. I have only had a couple of days off and I am already back. Pittsburgh is amazing. It’s where my family is and where I have grown up. It’s what I know. I am so proud to go to New York and say, ‘This is where I came from. This is what I know. And there are plenty more amazing people coming from where I just came from,’” said Campayno.

“The Sound of Music” live event is a star-studded production and Campayno admitted he was a little intimidated before arriving at rehearsals, but his nerves were quickly calmed by the supportive cast.

“I mean, it’s Carrie Underwood, Stephen Moyer and a group of Tony Award-winners, Christian Borle, who is also from Pittsburgh, Audra McDonald and Laura Benanti. I was really nervous going into rehearsals because I thought I was going to be star-struck. But it’s been so amazing because that group of people, especially Carrie, has made everyone feel so comfortable. Everybody feels like they’ve already known each other and I am a lot less star-struck than I thought I would be,” said Campayno.

“The Sound of Music” live event airs Thursday, Dec. 5, at 8 p.m. on WPXI-TV.

WPXI