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A NEW international production of the world’s most beloved musical, The Sound of Music, is coming to Malaysia for the first time this December.
A casting search is now on in Malaysia for 18 children, ages six to 14, to be part of the musical as members of the famous von Trapp children.
The legendary musical, produced by Broadway International Group, Simone Genatt, and Marc Routh and presented by Base Entertainment Asia, will take stage at the Istana Budaya in Kuala Lumpur.
This highly acclaimed original production of The Sound of Music is directed by three-time Tony Award-winner and Broadway veteran Jack O’Brien and comes directly from the NetWorks Presentations National Tour.
The production is choreographed by Danny Mefford and has Music Supervision by Andy Einhorn.
The Sound of Music is one of the most successful Broadway musicals of all time – it won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, as well as the Grammy Award for Best Show Album.
It has since entertained generations of audiences within live productions across the world and inspired the beloved film starring Julie Andrews, which won five Oscar Awards, including Best Picture. The film is ranked as one of the highest grossing movies of all time.
An Emmy-winning television special starring Carrie Underwood was watched by 44 million people.
“It is huge for Malaysia to be having its first international musical after a two-and-a-half years hiatus because of the pandemic,” said Base Entertainment Asia chairman Datuk Jared Lim.
“With the overwhelming response we received for The Phantom of the Opera – Kuala Lumpur 2019, we have put Malaysia on the map for international touring musicals.
"Now with the 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.”
Base Entertainment Asia chief executive officer Chantal Prudhomme echoed the sentiment, saying, “These are exciting times for the live entertainment and arts scene in Malaysia because with The Sound of Music premiering in Kuala Lumpur, we are further setting a precedence to present more international productions in the country.”
“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,” Broadway International Group executive producers Simone Genatt and Marc Routh said in a joint statement.
Together, the producers and presenter of The Sound of Music are looking for 18 outstanding girls and boys from Malaysia to play the roles of the six younger von Trapp children, Friedrich, Louisa, Kurt, Brigitta, Marta and Gretl, in three separate casts. Children auditioning will be assessed by The Sound of Music touring creatives in Malaysia.
Children who wish to audition must fit the criteria to perform in the musical. The children are expected to sing in English and have a good level of skill in acting, singing (including harmonies) and dancing.
Auditions for The Sound of Music will be held at Dominus Arts Venue at Wangsa Maju - Grand Hall on June 28 and 29 for these roles.
Those aged between six to 14 are invited to register via an online form at https://thesoundofmusic.asia/ where further details can be found. Candidates must be physically present for the auditions on June 28 and 29 at Dominus Arts Venue at Wangsa Maju - Grand Hall and must be available for all rehearsals and performances as listed on the registration site. All ethnicities and nationalities are very welcome.
In addition to this year’s Malaysia season, this original production of The Sound of Music will be making a stop in Singapore in November before heading to in Kuala Lumpur and is searching for another 18 children to be part of the Singapore engagement. – The Vibes, June 24, 2022
