'Sound of Music' Premieres in Toronto 08; TV Casts Maria

Andrew Lloyd Webber and David Ian's smash-hit new London production of The Sound of Music will make its North American premiere beginning September 2008 at The Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto.

Plus, a new Canadian 'Maria' will be chosen by Canadian public TV audiences through a national primetime series to air on CBC Television program, "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?" – the same hit casting method used for the London production, that seated Connie Fisher in the West End's starring role.

The Sound of Music will be the anchor show of the 2008-09 Mirvish Subscription season. Auditions for the television series will begin in February 2008 across Canada and will culminate in an eight-part series to be telecast in the summer of 2008. The people's choice for Maria will immediately join rehearsals for the stage production. The rest of the production will be cast from the finest theatrical talent Canada has to offer.

The role of Maria, needs a performer with amazing vocal talent, compelling acting abilities and remarkable stage presence that also exudes youth and vitality. A bright new talent brings a whole new dimension to the role, especially if that talent is discovered and chosen by the audience.

The stage and television shows' producers will travel across Canada in the coming months conducting open auditions for the role. Auditions will be open to anyone who feels they can master the role. The producers will house hopeful Marias from all over Canada in one place and put them through a rigorous audition, training and evaluation process. After each show, a panel of judges, and ultimately the voting Canadian viewers, will determine who will win the coveted role.

With music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse (suggested by "The Trapp Family Singers" by Maria Augusta Trapp), The Sound of Music is one of the most beloved musicals of all time. The film adaptation of the original 1959 Broadway production won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture in 1965.

The score for The Sound of Music touches the hearts of all ages and brims over with some of the most memorable songs ever performed on the musical stage including "My Favorite Things," "Do-Re-Mi," "Edelweiss," "Climb Ev'ry Mountain," "Sixteen Going On Seventeen," "The Lonely Goatherd" and of course the famous title song "The Sound of Music."

This timeless family classic will be overseen in Canada by director Jeremy Sams, choreographer Arlene Philips and designer Robert Jones, all of who won raves from the London critics for their superb work on the West End production.