THE SOUND OF MUSIC to Run 19 Feb - 29 March at Artscape Opera House

The world's most loved musical is coming to South Afica! This lavish show, the highly acclaimed London Palladium production, is presented by Pieter Toerien, David Ian and The Really Useful Group, and tells the story of the Von Trapp family's flight across the mountains from Austria, with its unforgettable score that includes some of the most memorable songs ever performed on the musical stage including "My Favourite Things", "Edelweiss", "Do-Re-Mi", "Sixteen Going on Seventeen", "The Lonely Goatherd", "Climb Ev'ry Mountain", and the title song "The Sound of Music". Featuring an all-star South African cast, THE SOUND OF MUSIC is a must-see on the 2014 theatrical calendar.

The South African production will star Andre Schwartz as Captain von Trapp and Bethany Dickson as Maria. With words and music by the legendary Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein II (OKLAHOMA!, CAROUSEL, SOUTH PACIFIC and THE KING AND I) and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, THE SOUND OF MUSIC originally premiered on Broadway in 1959 to record-breaking advance ticket sales, where it won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The show opened in London in 1961 and became the longest-running American musical of its generation. The 1965 Hollywood film, which starred Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, won five Oscars, including Best Picture, and quickly became the highest-grossing film in history. Even today, THE SOUND OF MUSIC remains the most successful movie musical in history.

Since the turn of the 21st century, the enduring magic of THE SOUND OF MUSIC has seen major productions mounted around the world, proof of its popularity as the world's most popular musical. This production of the legendary Rodgers and Hammerstein musical opened to rave reviews and sell-out business at the Wales Millennium Centre in July 2009, following a record-breaking 954 performances at the London Palladium where it was seen by well over 2 million people. The role of Maria was cast following a hugely popular 2006 BBC reality television show called HOW DO YOU SOLVE A PROBLEM LIKE MARIA? British musical theatre composer, Andrew Lloyd Webber has said that 'THE SOUND OF MUSIC contains arguably the best-loved songs of all time.'

The stellar South African cast also includes Janelle Visagie as the Mother Abbess, Tarryn Sudding as the Baroness Schraeder, James Borthwick as Max Detwieler, Carmen Pretorius as Liesel von Trapp, Rhys Williams as Rolf Gruber, Malcolm Terrey as Franz, Rika Sennett as Frau Schmidt, Genna Galloway as Sister Berthe, Monique Weich as Sister as Margaretta and LJ Neilson as Sister Sophia. Pauline du Plessis, Ami Rose Barber, Sebe Leotlela, Pisto Msongelna, Claire Simonis, Mike Huff, Richard White, Adam Pelkowitz, Mark Sykes, Duane Alexander, Ryan Flynn, Torah Rapoho and Claire Taylor are the ensemble cast.

The hills will certainly be alive with THE SOUND OF MUSIC in Cape Town, at the Artscape Opera House from 19 February to 29 March 2014. Performances run Tuesday to Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 3pm and 8pm and Sundays at 2pm and 6pm. The production transfers to Montecasino in Johannesburg from 5 April to 8 June 2014. Tickets cost from R125 to R425 via Computicket or 0861 915 8000.

To post a comment, you must register and login.