'Music' and 'Maria' on the Way?; Webber Discusses Plans

In his latest video diary, Tony Award-winning composer and producer Andrew Lloyd Webber discusses his possible involvement in two theatre-related reality shows in the US.

Webber, who produces the smash London revival of The Sound of Music, recently served on the panel of judges on "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria."  The highly publicized - and highly rated - BBC show featured a casting search for an actress to headline The Sound of Music at the London Palladium. Connie Fisher was ultimately chosen, and opened on November 15th to stellar reviews as the musical's cheerful governess and Von Trapp family matriarch. 

In the video diary, Lloyd Webber, implying a possible Broadway revival of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, reveals that he is in talks to possibly bring a new version of "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria" to US television screens. 

He may also take part in the upcoming reality casting search "You're the One That I Want," which will determine the stars of the new Broadway revival of Grease.

"I go to New York, then on to Los Angeles, and we're going to be talking about the 'Maria' program over there.  And then I might possibly do something on the Grease program over there...I haven't decided yet," he stated.

Webber, whose hits include Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Cats and The Phantom of the Opera, previously disclosed that his next musical will be an adaptation of Mikhail Bulgakov's satirically fantastical Russian novel The Master and Margarita.  In his video diary, he said that he has been talking to famed American magician David Copperfield about "magic effects" for the show.  "How do you fly a naked girl across Moscow is my first question to him," Webber quipped.  "He hasn't gotten back to me with an answer yet."

Webber is currently putting the finishing touches on the London cast album of The Sound of Music, which will be released in the UK next month.  He will also be among the recipients of this year's Kennedy Center Honors.

Visit www.andrewlloydwebber.com for more information.