The Sound of Music: search for von Trapp children ends as rehearsals begin
The much-anticipated musical will be staged for the first time on December 27
KUALA LUMPUR – The Sound of Music Malaysia auditions gained a welcoming response from over 400 children across the nation for a spot in the upcoming musical. It is set to take the stage at Istana Budaya this December.
Children aged six to 14 were all vying to be part of the famous von Trapp family playing younger roles – Friedrich, Louisa, Kurt, Brigitta, and Marta and Gretl, – in three separate casts.
The audition held at Dominus Arts Venue, Wangsa Maju, saw candidates boasting their singing (solo and in harmony) and acting chops, as well as skills in dancing.
A total of 17 local children were succesfully selected. They are now undergoing rehearsals with close support from their parents and guidance from the production team.
Datuk Jared Lim, Base Entertainment Asia chairman, said: “It is huge for Malaysia to be having its first international musical after a two-and-a-half years hiatus because of the pandemic.
“We have put Malaysia on the map for international touring musicals, thanks to the overwhelming response we received for The Phantom of the Opera – Kuala Lumpur 2019.
“Now with the brand-new Broadway production of The Sound of Music not only premiering in Kuala Lumpur, but also auditioning for local children to star in it, we are taking arts and live entertainment in Malaysia to another level by bridging local and Broadway talent on an international platform,” he added.
Chantal Prudhomme, Base Entertainment Asia chief executive officer, says the event marks an exciting time for the live entertainment and arts scene in Malaysia.
“We are further setting precedence to present more international productions in the country. The auditions allow for local talents to star in an international production with professional actors where it is a dream come true with endless possible opportunities,” she said.
In a joint statement, Simone Genatt and Marc Routh, Broadway International Group executive producers, said: “We have been eager to bring this beautiful production to Asia for years and are certain that Kuala Lumpur is an ideal city for this highly anticipated global tour.”
Genatt and Routh have worked on various international productions of The Sound of Music for over 25 years, including producing the 1997 Broadway Revival and five global tours as part of Broadway Asia, a production, management, and licensing company in Asia Pacific region.
source – The Vibes
