Connie Fisher Selected as London Sound of Music's Maria

Connie Fisher, chosen by popular vote as the winner of the UK reality show "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria," will star in the upcoming London revival of The Sound of Music.

Fisher was selected out of three remaining candidates (the other two were Siobhan Dillon, and Helena Blackman) for the coveted role of the Austrian governess in the revival, which will be produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber.  

She joins previously-announced Simon Shepherd as Captain von Trapp, opera star Lesley Garrett as the Mother Abbess and Emma Williams (London Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), who as the stand-in for Maria, will perform two times a week.   The Sound of Music will begin previews on November 4th and open on November 14th at the London Palladium.

Two millions votes were received for the final episode of the popular reality show.  In the preceding episodes, performers were voted off the show by a panel of judges that was spearheaded by Lloyd Webber.  The panel also included Sound of Music co-producer David Ian, West End and Broadway star John Barrowman, and voice coach Zoe Tyler; Graham Norton hosted.

Originally, Lloyd Webber narrowed the field of contenders down to 200, and then to 54 young women who were sent to a "Maria School" in which they received acting, singing and dancing lessons. At first, film star Scarlett Johannson was sought as Maria, and the reality show was created after she turned down the role.

"I feel on top of the world, thanks very much.  I won't let you down. Every night will be an opening night. Thanks for making my dreams come true," stated Fisher.