The Hollywood Bowl transforms into the world's largest movie theater when the perennially popular Sing-A-Long Sound of Music returns for the eighth time on Saturday, September 26, 2009, at 7:30 p.m., with the event's signature costume parade hosted by actress-comedienne Melissa Peterman at 6 p.m. The evening also features a special appearance by Charmian Carr, who played eldest Von Trapp daughter Liesl in the film. The "Sing-A-Long" version of the beloved Twentieth Century Fox classic film, celebrating the most successful movie musical and the number one family film ever, is a screening of the classic Julie Andrews film musical -- the winner of five Academy Awards, including Best Picture -- in glorious full-screen Technicolor and spectacular six-track digital sound, complete with subtitles so the whole audience can sing along.
The evening, traditionally a sell-out year after year, attracts both long-time devotees of the film and fresh new audiences alike. Creativity, imagination and large doses of humor characterize the costume parade, which is open to all audience members and in the past has featured everything from adorable Von Trapp children to brown paper packages tied up with string and the gazebo - in human form -- where Rolf and Liesl dance, as well as a healthy assortment of Marias and nuns in all shapes, sizes and sexes. Everyone receives a complimentary Fun Pak filled with interactive props to brandish at appropriate points in the film, and Peterman coaches the audience in their use during the pre-film activities; she also conducts a vocal warm-up with assistance from organist Mitch Hanlon.
The Sound of Music continues to be the most popular film musical in history. Based on the 1959 Broadway show, with original songs by Rodgers and Hammerstein, the film, starring
Julie Andrews and
Christopher Plummer, premiered on March 2, 1965, in New York City. Since then, it has earned more than $160 million. For more than four decades, generations of adults and children have enjoyed the timeless story of the governess Maria and the family von Trapp. Sing-A-Long Sound of Music is produced with Sing-A-Long Productions by arrangement with Twentieth Century Fox and the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization.
Melissa Peterman is originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota where she was in the original cast of "Tony and Tina's Wedding" for over 600 performances and a staple on the comedy and the improve scene. She is best known for her starring role playing "Barbra Jean" on the hit sitcom "Reba." She has also appeared on many television shows including, "Surviving Surburbia," "Rita Rocks," "Just Shoot Me," the ABC pilot "Cedric," and the Fox pilot "Living with Abandon." She has done voiceovers for 0The Pitts" and "American Dad" and recently starred in the independent comedy feature, "Dirty Politics." Peterman stars in "Dusty Peacock," the new online series created for Crackle.com, Sony Pictures Entertainment's Online Video Network. She opened the
Reba McEntire/
Kelly Clarkson sold out tour "2 Worlds, 2 Voices." Melissa is the host of CMT's #1 original program "The Singing Bee." She has also hosted the series "CMT Comedy Stage" and the special "Redneck Dreams," for the network. She made her movie debut as "Hooker # 2" in the Coen Brothers Oscar winning film "Fargo." Peterman is committed to many charities including
Muhammad Ali's "Celebrity Fight Night," Habitat for Humanity, The Red Cross, and the non-profit Buzzworks Theatre Company.
Charmian Carr is internationally recognized as Liesl and often does personal appearances, radio and television as a result of the phenomenal success of this film. In 1995, she hosted "The Sound of Music" segment for the A&E channel's special on Rogers and Hammerstein's "The Sound of Movies." She has written a book titled "Forever, Liesl" about her experiences making the film which is available from Penguin Putnam Books. A second book followed called "Letters to Liesl". Television audiences remember Charmian when she starred with
Anthony Perkins in the
John Houseman/
Stephen Sondheim production of "Evening Primrose." She spent many years acting in national commercials while at the same time developing a highly successful interior design business.
MITCHELL HANLON has worked at the Hollywood Bowl for 18 seasons as a pianist, organist, vocal director, and, from 1991-2006, the Assistant Conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra under its Founding Director,
John Mauceri. Hanlon has worked with and served as vocal coach for many stars, including
Julie Andrews,
Patrick Stewart,
John Lithgow,
Patti LuPone,
Jeremy Irons,
Shirley MacLaine, and
Carol Burnett. A performing pianist, Hanlon has accompanied such stars as
Hugh Jackman,
Kristin Chenoweth,
Audra McDonald,
Chita Rivera,
Bernadette Peters, and
Catherine Zeta-Jones. He is the founder of the Mitch Hanlon Singers, a professional singing group that has toured internationally and is heard on several Grammy-nominated albums on the Philips Classics label. A music director in demand, he has led hundreds of performances of over 60 different shows. Hanlon has worked professionally on four continents, playing five tours as the pianist/organist with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra in Japan and Brazil, and as a conductor in Europe. In the U.S. he has worked with orchestras in Philadelphia, Baltimore, New Jersey, and Portland, and with the LA Phil. Hanlon holds a Master of Music degree from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Music degree from Chapman University. He is professor of Musical Theatre at California State University Fullerton in charge of voice for the nationally acclaimed BFA in Musical Theatre program. He is organist and choir director at Fullerton First Christian Church.
One of the largest natural amphitheaters in the world, with a seating capacity of nearly 18,000, the HOLLYWOOD BOWL has been the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic since its official opening in 1922, and is home to the best and brightest in all genres of music. The 2004 season introduced audiences to a revitalized Hollywood Bowl, featuring a newly-constructed shell and stage and the addition of four stadium screens enhancing stage views in the venue. To this day, $1 buys a seat at the top of the Bowl for many of the Los Angeles Philharmonic's concerts. While the Bowl is best known for its sizzling summer nights, during the day California's youngest patrons enjoy "Summer Sounds: Music for Kids at the Hollywood Bowl," the Southland's most popular summer arts festival for children, now in its 42nd season. In January 2009, the Hollywood Bowl was named Best Major Outdoor Concert Venue for the fifth year in a row at the 20th Annual Pollstar Concert Industry Awards; the Bowl's summer music festival has become as much a part of a Southern California summer as beaches and barbecues, the Dodgers, and Disneyland.
Tickets ($6 - $69) are on sale now at HollywoodBowl.com, by calling 323.850.2000, in person at the Hollywood Bowl Box Office (Tuesday-Saturday, 12-6 p.m.), or through Ticketmaster. Groups of 10 or more may call 323.850.2050 for information about special rates, subject to availability.
Comments
To post a comment, you must
register and
login.
