TUTS Presents THE SOUND OF MUSIC At The Hobby Center 12/8-20

Seven rambunctious children and the most irreverent nun ever to kick a habit lend their playfulness to the holidays at Theatre Under The Stars, welcoming your family into theirs, with The Sound Of Music.. This classic show for all ages is sure to be one of "your favorite things," at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts from December 8-20, 2009!

The final musical written by Rodgers and Hammerstein, The Sound Of Music is based on the 1949 memoir of Maria von Trapp, "The True Story Of The Trapp Family Singers," which follows the Trapp family as they leave Austria to escape Nazi persecution. In 1956, a German film documenting the family's tale was released, sparking plans for a stage version by American TV and Broadway producer/director Vincent Donehue who envisioned a feature role for theatre star Mary Martin. Just three short years later, The Sound of Music opened to rave reviews on Broadway with a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse and music and lyrics by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II.

The immortal film version of the musical, starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, was released in 1965. Winner of five Oscars, including Best Picture, this show is one of only four movie/musicals which also won Broadway's Best Musical Tony Award. Cherished songs including "Edelweiss," "The Sound of Music," "Lonely Goatherd," "Do Re Mi," and "Sixteen Going on Seventeen," shape an uplifting and beloved score which has thrived for nearly five decades. This holiday season, share this prized musical experience with someoNe You love. Your "heart will be blessed"...and you'll "sing once more!"

In celebration of The Sound of Music, Theatre Under The Stars offers a number of special events and opportunities.

´ The Sound of Music on the Big Screen: Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009 - View a rare 35 mm screening of the movie at the Angelika Film Center! Begins at 7:00 p.m.
o The Sound Of Music sing-a-long offers something special in the shape of interactive prop-bags (a'la The Rocky Horror Picture Show) for audience participation. Viewers will have confetti party-poppers for the climactic first kiss between Maria and Captain Von Trapp and a souvenir invitation to the Captain's Ball among other novel and interactive items.

´ Dinner & Theatre Package: Wednesday, Dec. 9 and 16 at Lancaster Hotel.
o These packages are available online only at TUTS.com.

´ First Thursday Cabaret: Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009.
o A post-show event with OUT@TUTS (our GLBT friends) at Artista Restaurant.

´ Have Breakfast with Santa at the Downtown Aquarium: Saturdays Dec. 12 and 19. Featuring a scrumptious breakfast buffet, watch as Scuba Santa spreads his holiday cheer and meet other mascots from the Downtown Aquarium.
o Musical selection performed by the Von Trapp kids.
o Enjoy a full day pass to the Aquarium adventure exhibit featuring exciting exhibits such as the white tigers and the shark voyage.

Tickets (starting at $24) are available on-line at TUTS.com, by phone at (713) 558-8887, outside the Houston area at (888) 558-3882, or in person at the Theatre Under The Stars Box Office, (800 Bagby at Walker, Mon-Fri 10a.m.-6p.m, Sat-Sun 11a.m.-4p.m.) An audio described performance is available Sunday, December 20, 2009 at 2 p.m.; open captioning Sunday, December 20, 2009 at 7:30p.m. The Hobby Center is wheelchair accessible. Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more and may be purchased by calling (713) 558-8888 or via email at groupsales@tuts.com.

The Sound Of Music also marks the last opportunity for TUTS patrons to purchase a Pick 4 Mini-Subscription for the 2009-2010 season. New Pick 4 subscriptions are available online at TUTS.com, by phone at (713) 558-TUTS, outside the Houston area at (888) 558-3882, or in person at the Theatre Under The Stars Box Office (800 Bagby at Walker). For a full season brochure, call Theatre Under The Stars at (713) 558-2600. Discounted group subscriptions of 15 or more are also available by calling (713) 558-8888.

TUTS would like to thank Cokinos Bosein & Young, ConocoPhillips, and Spectra Energy for their generous sponsorship of The Sound of Music.

For all of Theatre Under The Stars' 2009-2010 shows, air transportation is provided by Continental Airlines, the official airline of Theatre Under The Stars. Additional support is provided by St. Luke's Episcopal Health System, the Official Healthcare Partner of Theatre Under The Stars. Media sponsors include ABC-13 and Houston Chronicle. Season support is funded in part by grants from the City of Houston through the Theater District Association and the Texas Commission on the Arts.
Founded in 1968, Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) is Houston's acclaimed non-profit musical theatre company and is currently under the direction of President and CEO John C. Breckenridge. TUTS was the first theatrical organization in Houston to perform free to the public in 1968 at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park, and is the only Houston arts organization that has performed there free to the public every year since the building opened. Since its founding by Frank M. Young, TUTS has produced more than 300 musicals including many local, national and world premieres such as Kopit and Yeston's Phantom, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Jekyll & Hyde, and Irving Berlin's White Christmas. TUTS has also produced international tours including Debbie Reynolds in The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Juliet Prowse in Mame, Robert Goulet in Man of La Mancha, as well as critically acclaimed local re-inventions of classics such as Cabaret and Les Miserables. As a way to continue the tradition of musical theatre, TUTS' Humphreys School of Musical Theatre provides instruction and stage experience for more than 1,700 students annually through both The Academy and The Studio, which allow students to flourish in a year-round schedule of classes. Housed in the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, TUTS also annually presents the Tommy Tune Awards, honoring the best and brightest in Houston's high school musical theatre programs.

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