American country music singer Carrie Underwood, who rose to fame after winning the fourth season of American Idol in 2005, will now be seen playing the lead role in the new reprise of ‘The Sound Of Music’. Underwood will be playing the role of the iconic Maria von Trapp in a live broadcast of the musical due next year.
Network head Robert Greenblatt, whose interest in Broadway has already been reflected in the series ‘Smash’ said, “Speaking for everyone at NBC, we couldn’t be happier”. Rodgers and Hammerstein have produced many great songs from the movie including ‘Climb Every Mountain’, ‘My Favourite Things’ and ‘Do Re Mi’.
The story of ‘The Sound of Music’ revolves around Maria, who comes from an Austrian convent. She is sent to the house of Austrian Navy captain George von Trapps house to care for his 7 children as a governess. Here she brightens up the strict household with her music, with the Navy captain eventually falling in love with her.
The 29-year-old , Grammy Award winning singer will join the stars who have played Maria in the past as well. The original Maria was played by Julie Andrews in Sound Of Music film. Mary Martin originated the role on Broadway in 1959. Julie swirled and trilled the title song in the Oscar winning movie six years later. Underwood has become the latest American Idol to land in a musical.
