'Maria' Reality Show Wins UK's Broadcast Award

According to Andrew Lloyd Webber's website, "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria" won an award as "Best Entertainment Programme" at this year's Broadcast Awards.

The reality show talent search, which led to the casting of Connie Fisher as the star of the current London Palladium revival of The Sound of Music, attracted 8 million viewers at its height.  Its competitors for the award were: "The Heist," "The Apprentice," "Celebrity Big Brother" and "Strictly Come Dancing."

"I am absolutely overwhelmed. Never before have young musical theatre performers had such an opportunity to show their talents on prime time television. I cannot wait to be involved in 'Any Dream Will Do.' The BBC 1 show will search for a star to fill the role of Joseph for the new production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I am also very much looking forward to getting back into the studio with Graham Norton," said Webber (Cats, Evita, The Phantom of the Opera), who also produces The Sound of Music and served on the judges' panel of "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria."

Ultimately, the decision as to whom to cast as Maria was given to the British public - almost 2 million viewers voted for Fisher.

The Sound of Music is currently booking until October 13, 2007 and Fisher has extended her contract in the hit Rodgers and Hammerstein revival to February 2008.  It also stars Alexander Hanson as Captain Von Trapp, and opera star Lesley Garrett as the Mother Abbess.

Visit www.andrewlloydwebber.com for more information.