Gilfry Takes Hiatus from SOUTH PACIFIC to Play Captain Von Trapp in Theatre du Chatelet's THE SOUND OF MUSIC

Rod Gilfry will take a brief hiatus from his role as Emile de Becque in the national tour of Rodgers and Hammerstein's 'South Pacific', and will whisk away to Paris where he will star in Emilio Sagi's production of 'The Sound of Music' at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris from Dec. 6, 2009 through Jan. 3, 2010. Gilfry will play Captain Von Trapp opposite a rotating trio of actresses, including Sylvia Schwartz, Julie Fuchs and Christine Arand, who will play Maria.

Gilfry is slated to return to the South Pacific tour as the company makes its scheduled stop in Melbourne, Florida, on January 18, 2010. Gilfry's replacement during his hiatus is yet to be announced. David Pittsinger will take over the role during the Chicago engagement at the Rosemont Theatre from Nov. 24-29.

For more information, please visit http://www.chatelet-theatre.com/2009-2010/index.php

Gilfry is a Grammy-nominated opera singer who has performed in all the world's music capitals, including Vienna, Paris, London, Munich, Zurich, Milan, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. His discography includes 23 audio and video recordings. Credits include: Stanley Kowalski, André Previn's A Streetcar Named Desire (San Francisco Opera); Lionel, Tchaikovsky's Joan of Arc (San Francisco Opera); Prospero, Thomas Ades' The Tempest (Santa Fe Opera); Nathan, Nicholas Maw's Sophie's Choice (Washington D.C.); De Guiche, Alfano's Cyrano (Valencia, Spain, opposite Placido Domingo); Count Danilo, Lehar's The Merry Widow (Los Angeles Opera); Joe, Frank Loesser's The Most Happy Fella and Lancelot, Lerner & Loewe's Camelot (both at the Ravinia Festival in Chicago). Assistant Professor of Vocal Arts at the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California.

The Sound of Music is one of the most beloved musicals of all time. The production features music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein with a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. The show won the 1960 Tony Award winner for Best Musical. The 1965 film adaptation, starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, earned five Academy Awards, including Best Picture.