Dan Tracy can’t wait to come back to Rhode Island, where 200 of his friends and relatives will be in the seats at the Providence Performing Arts Center to see him in the role of Rolf, the German soldier who falls in love with the young Von Trapp girl in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The Sound of Music.”

Tracy grew up in Rumford, graduated from LaSalle Academy, went on to the University of Michigan, moved to New York City, and made a successful career for himself as an actor.

I caught up with Tracy in Austin, Texas, where the Broadway road show was playing before moving on to Atlanta and then to Providence, where it runs from March 9-13 at PPAC.

“Most people are familiar with the movie,” Dan said. “This production is more of a true representation of the original Broadway production. The dialogue, songs and focus are slightly different. You’ll get to understand my character as the story relates to a different time in history.”

Tracy credits Gamm Artistic Director Tony Estrella for much of his success.

“I was in his production of ‘An Enemy of the People’ when I was in the 10th grade,” he said, a role that solidified his desire to make a career out of acting.

Tracy got his feet wet at LaSalle, Gamm, a role in “The Sound of Music” at Community Players in Pawtucket, PPAC’s Summer Camp program. He has done some TV in New York City and other national tours before landing his role in “The Sound of Music.”

“I’ve actually been on the PPAC stage,” he said, “in a Children’s Choir performance.”

Dan Tracy encourages anyone who has not seen a stage production of “The Sound of Music” to catch this brand new production, directed by three-time Tony Award-winning Director Jack O’Brien.

Songs like “Climb Every Mountain,” Edelweiss” and “My Favorite Things” are all classics that have survived the test of time.

For tickets to the March 9-13 performances, call 421-ARTS.