Photo Coverage: First Look at The International Touring Production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC

Manila, Philippines--Associate Director Frank Thompson, who was also the resident director of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's revival production of "The Sound of Music" at the London Palladium, presented the cast of the international touring production of "The Sound of Music," led by Carmen Pretorius (Maria) and Janelle Visagie (Mother Abbess), at a media call yesterday.

The producers behind this show, Webber's The Really Useful Company and David Ian Productions, together with Globe Live, Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, Concertus Manila, and David Atkins Enterprises, have also announced an extenden run, now through Sunday, October 22, at the Theatre at Solaire (Aseana Avenue, Paranaque, Manila).

Webber's production of the "The Sound of Music" at the London Palladium in 2006 had 954 performances and was seen by over two million people. This international touring company, on the other hand, played to sold-out crowds in Singapore, New Zealand, and China.

Last May, UK-based choreographer Jonny Bowles, who is also the resident children's director of this production, visited Manila on a mission: whittle down 400 talented kids to 18 who auditioned for the roles of the von Trapp children.

These young discoveries come from different parts of the country--from nearby Makati City to as far as Negros Occidental: (Friedrich) Orenci Ken Soleta from Binangonan, Rizal, Kyle Robert Robert Rafanan from Talisay City, Negros Occidental, Joseph Alexander Leggatt from Binan, Laguna; (Louisa) Gwyneth Jearei Dorado from Pasig City, Quinn O' Hara from Binan, Laguna, Angelica Mabuting from Malolos Bulacan; (Kurt) Tony Gil Emilio Cortez from Pasig City, Dean Adhiel Angelia from Noveleta, Cavite, James Christian Hess from Makati City; (Brigitta) Krystal Brimmer from Laguna, Rayne Yssibel Cortez from Pasig City, Sophia Isabella Reyes from Marikina City; (Marta) Samantha Lagman from Santa Ana, Manila, Leani Columna from Las Pinas, Princess Aliyah Rabara from Marilao, Bulacan, and (Gretl) Jia Ruth Lauren Condino from Taguig City, Alysha Mari Africa from Paranaque City, and Faline Dorado from Pasig City.

Nicholas Maude (Capt. von Trapp), JoNathan Taylor (Max), Haylea Heyns (Baroness Schraeder), Zoe Beavon (Leisl) and Michael McMeeking (Rolf Gruber) are also in the cast.

"The Sound of Music" features the music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, with a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, suggested by "The Trapp Family Singers" by Maria Augusta Trapp. Its score includes classic songs "My Favorite Things," "Do-Re-Mi," "Edelweiss," "Climb Ev'ry Mountain," "Sixteen Going on Seventeen," "The Lonely Goatherd," and the title song "The Sound of Music."

The original Rodgers and Hammerstein musical opened on Broadway in 1959; it won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The 1965 Hollywood movie version starred Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer; it won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Buy tickets (P1,500-P7,000) at TicketWorld.com.ph.

Photos: John Angelo Sergio

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