Stage

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

Updated 1 year ago · Published on 03 Jul 2022 2:00PM

The Sound of Music: search for von Trapp children ends as rehearsals begin — The atmosphere during the auditions. Pictured are the young candidates being vetted for their singing. – MUHARRAM KASIM/The Vibes pic, July 3, 2022

by Amalina Kamal

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.

Once a candidate passes the singing round, they are specifically measured for their height. – MUHARRAM KASIM/The Vibes pic

Tony Estrella accompanying his seven-year-old daughter Catelya Chan de Estrella who is half Malaysian for the auditions. He shared that his family embraces music whole-heartedly with Catelya’s mother also not a stranger to the scene, being an opera singer. – MUHARRAM KASIM/The Vibes pic

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.

Children coming from all corners of Malaysia to grab a spot in the internationally renown musical. – MUHARRAM KASIM/The Vibes pic

An encouraging turnout as the week saw both parents and children filled with excitement. (From left) Anju Anan with her daughter Ayana Anan, Michelle Chow and her daughter Valerie Soh, Diane Lee and son Jaybriel Cheng Nik Masleen and son Fikri Hakimi. All mums were impressed with the event’s coordination and audition process. – MUHARRAM KASIM/The Vibes pic

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.”

Local children selected to play the Von Trapp family. – Pic courtesy of Base Entertainment Asia

(From left) Datuk Jared Lim and Chantal Prudhomme. The Sound of Music associate tour director Anthony C. Daniel and The Sound of Music tour choreographer James Gray during the press conference. – MUHARRAM KASIM/The Vibes pic

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. – The Vibes, July 3, 2022