Casting Announced for the New National Touring Production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC

NETworks Presentations announces casting for a brand new production of The Sound of Music as part of a North American tour. State Theatre New Jersey presents four performances of The Sound of Music December 22-24, 2017. Tickets range from $35-$98.

The cast includes Jill-Christine Wiley as Maria Rainer, Mike Mclean as Captain Georg von Trapp, Lauren Kidwell as The Mother Abbess, Jake Mills as Max Detweiler, Melissa McKamie as Elsa Schraeder, Keslie Ward as Liesl, and Chad P. Campbell as Rolf Gruber. The von Trapp children are played B. Landon Brimacombe (Friedrich), Arick Brooks (Kurt), Katie Grgecic (Brigitta), Madeleine Guilbot (Gretl), Maya Karp (Louisa), and Amaryllis C. Miller (Marta).

Completing the cast is Caleb Adams, Colten Blair, Sarah Brackett, Jeff Brooks, Randy Charleville, Mackenzie Dade, Danielle Guilbot, Stephanie Gray, Danielle Lee James, Allison Macri, Nicholas Newman, Adam Ross Glickman, Isaac Ryckeghem, Annie Sherman, Thanos Skouteris, Christina Tompkins, Ariana Valdes, and Melissa Weyn.

The Sound of Music features music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, suggested by The Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp. The beloved musical story of Maria and the von Trapp Family will once again thrill audiences with its Tony, Grammy, and Academy Award-winning Best Score, including "My Favorite Things," "Edelweiss," and the title song.

The Sound of Music enjoyed extraordinary success as a live television production when "The Sound of Music Live!" aired on NBC in December, 2013 and was seen by over 44 million people. 2015 marked the 50th anniversary of the film version, which continues to be the most successful movie musical in history.

Ted Chapin, President of the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization, says: "I waited for a moment when we could rediscover The Sound of Music as it was originally created. Because of the enormous success of the film, few were aware that it started life as a hit Broadway show-and a very big hit at that! The artists behind this production embraced what the authors wrote, looked at it all through modern eyes and, in so doing, found depth and resonance that has been recognized by critics and audiences across the country. It's like visiting an old friend but finding yourself surprised as well. It's also a reminder of why this show is such an evergreen."

The creative team for this new production includes direction by Matt Lenz, based on the national tour's original direction by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien (Hairspray, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Coast of Utopia). Original choreography by Danny Mefford (Dear Evan Hansen, Fun Home, The Bridges of Madison County) has been recreated by Jonathan Warren, with music supervision by Andy Einhorn (Hello, Dolly!, Bullets Over Broadway, Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella, The Light in the Piazza). The design and production team is comprised of Tony Award nominee Douglas W. Schmidt, set design (The Front Page, 42nd Street, Into the Woods); Tony Award winner Jane Greenwood, costume design (The Little Foxes, 2014 Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre), six-time Tony Award winner Natasha Katz, lighting design (Long Day's Journey Into Night, An American in Paris, Once, Aida, The Coast of Utopia, The Glass Menagerie) and Shannon Slaton, sound design (Present Laughter, The Humans). Casting is by Stewart/Whitley.

For tickets or more information, call the State Theatre New Jersey Guest Services at 732-246-SHOW (7469), or visit us online at STNJ.org. The State Theatre New Jersey Guest Services, located at 15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick NJ, is open Monday through Friday from 10am to 6pm; and at least three hours prior to curtain on performance dates unless otherwise specified. For information on group outings and discounts, call 732-247-7200, ext. 536. Some additional ticket and transaction fees may apply.

State Theatre New Jersey-creating extraordinary experiences through the power of live performance. The theater exists to enrich people's lives, contribute to a vital urban environment, and build future audiences by presenting the finest performing artists and entertainers and fostering lifetime appreciation for the performing arts through education. State Theatre New Jersey's programs are made possible, in part, by funding from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and contributions from numerous corporations, foundations, and individuals. The Heldrich is the official hotel of State Theatre New Jersey. The Star-Ledger is the official newspaper of State Theatre New Jersey. United is the official airline of State Theatre New Jersey.

Jill-Christine Wiley (Maria Rainer) Professional credits: Rodgers & Hammerstein's Carousel (Carrie Pipperidge), Disney's The Little Mermaid (Ariel), The Fantasticks (Luisa), Little Women (Beth). Tours: Disney's Beauty and the Beast (u/s Belle).

Mike McLean (Captain Georg von Trapp) National Tours: Guys and Dolls (Benny), Saturday Night Fever (Frank Jr.). Off-Broadway: Ziegfeld's Midnight Frolic (Jack Pickford), 90210 The Musical (Dylan Mckay u/s). Regional: Brigadoon (Tommy), Life Could Be a Dream (Wally).

Chad Campbell (Rolf Gruber). Regional credits: The Drowsy Chaperone, A Christmas Carol, Bye Bye Birdie, Carousel.

Lauren Kidwell (The Mother Abbess) Professional credits: Ragtime (Mother), My Heart in a Suitcase (Mutti), Jesus Christ Superstar (Mary Magdalene) Smile (featured performer, Boston Gay Men's Chorus), Franc D'Ambrosio's Broadway: Songs of the Great White Way, Busch Gardens Williamsburg.

Jake Mills (Max Detweiler). National Tour: Annie (directed by original lyricist, Martin Charnin). Regional: Parade (Watson/Starnes), Jekyll & Hyde (Bishop), 1776 (Joseph Hewes), The Drowsy Chaperone (Mr. Feldzieg), Joseph...Dreamcoat (Reuben/Butler), Spamalot (Bedevere), Avenue Q (Nicky/Trekkie).

Melissa McKamie (Elsa Schraeder). Regional: Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins), It's a Wonderful Life (Mary Bailey), The Sound of Music (Maria), North Shore's Les Misérables.

Keslie Ward (Liesl). Regional credits: Lyric Theatre OK, Oklahoma City Rep, and Disney Cruise Line.