Breaking News: NBC & Craig Zadan/Neil Meron to Present Live Broadcast of THE SOUND OF MUSIC!

[beautywickedlover]

This should be interesting. I am looking forward to this.

[degrassifan]

"Ashely Brown is only three years younger than Benanti."

Oops! I still think we're in 2006 and Mary Poppins just came out. Lol.

[Jordan Catalano]

It's obviously going to be the eternally 20 year old Cheno.

[JohnyBroadway]

This is very exciting news. I this happens sooner than later. Zadan and Meron have announced projects that never happened ( Peter Pan) but I've never been disappointed by them. Osnes should play Maria and I hope they keep the song " how can love survive"

[Gothampc]

I wonder if it will be performed on a stage like a Live From Lincoln Center performance or will they use studios like they did with the 50s musicals?

Either way, I'm boycotting if they include that god-awful song "I Must Have Done Something Good"

[Gothampc]

"what about Gwenyth Paltrow?"

I'd like to see her as Elsa. But I don't want them to cut Elsa's song because it's such a great song.

[E.Davis]

But Brown nor Benanti look 30. So they could play younger.

[madbrian]

"I wonder if it will be performed on a stage like a Live From Lincoln Center performance or will they use studios like they did with the 50s musicals?"

I really hope for the latter.

[best12bars]

I really love the idea of a live broadcast of the full stage show.

As far as casting, I also love the idea of the Captain being established and Maria being "introduced" at least to TV audiences. Osnes would be great! If they could get a film star for the Captain, that would be great, too. My go-to choice of late is Robert Downey, Jr. But I could also see someone like Jude Law (with graying temples ala Christopher Plummer).

As far as the Baroness, as previously suggested and if she'd do it, I think Gwyneth Paltrow would be wonderful.

And Goth, it doesn't sound like they're cutting any of the stage show songs. That's what will separate this from the film adaptation---a chance to see a Broadway-caliber production as originally written.

[CATSNYrevival]

This is pretty exciting. It could end up being really beautiful and special like the televised musicals from the 50s, or it could end up being a complete disaster. I guess we'll see what happens live.

[best12bars]

I like the idea of TV sets rather than a proscenium stage. I hope they go that direction, too, so it isn't so much like a "Live from Lincoln Center" on network television.

[JohnyBroadway]

From reading the article it like there going in the direction.

[degrassifan]

So, does it mean they will be filming in Salzburg? I was imagining this happening on stage.

[a-mad]

I sure hope it is a soundstage... although pulling it off live, with all the stuff in SoM that is location-oriented, etc. is going to be tricky.

Am I going to get flamed for suggesting Sutton for Maria? She's becoming a big enough name off the stage that it might give the production some mojo. I also like Sierra Boggess, and thought the poster that mentioned Katharine Jenkins is on to something... although I worry she'd be too operatic.

[madbrian]

Maybe Eric McCormack as the Captain?

[broadway_show_fan]

After seeing Osnes in her Cafe Carlyle show last night, I whole-heartedly vote for her as Maria. She truly seems like "Broadway's American Sweetheart" and would do so wonderfully in this role.

I'd love for them to cast someone from the Broadway side for the Captain, but perhaps someone who has some TV credibility, like Brian d'Arcy James. I wonder if NBC would like to use him after his "Smash" appearances.

You could easily cast "famous" people as Max and/or Elsa.

[Wynbish]

It could be like when Alec Baldwin was in South Pacific, but not as Emile.

[madbrian]

Peter Gallagher as the Captain?

[Wynbish]

Gallagher is in Covert Affairs on USA, in the same family as NBC.

[givesmevoice]

They're probably already trying to get Amanda Seyfried signed on.

[followspot]

Keeping it in the NBC family:

Maria — Tina Fey
VonTrapp — Alec Baldwin

Elsa — Jane Krakowski
Max — Bill Hader

Liesl — Amy Poehler
Rolf — Rainn Wilson

Gretl — Fred Armisen
Mother Abbess — Christina Aguilera

[henrikegerman]

"And if they don't decide to use a name as Elsa, maybe Jan Maxwell?"

Not sure if you know this, but Maxwell played Elsa in the last Broadway revival.

[Baby Jack]

Sierra is performing some Sound of Music in the new Rodgers and Hammersteins album. Maybe that's some foreshadowing.

http://broadwayworld.com/article/Sierra-Boggess-Lends-Voice-to-Rodgers-Hammersteins-AT-THE-MOVIES-CD-20120629

[adamgreer]

Given the various connections, I would expect Maria to be either Megan Hilty or Katherine McPhee.

[Gothampc]

I doubt he would do it, but Ladies and Gentlemen, here is your Captain von Trapp.
Link

[darquegk]

I wonder if it will be the original, licensed version, the recent revival edition, or a new stage/film amalgamation?