ITV is to screen a live “television dramatisation” of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s classic musical The Sound of Music this Christmas.
Adapted from the original stage musical, itself based on Maria von Trapp’s memoir The Trapp Family Singers, the two and a half hour special will include all of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s memorable hits, including How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria, Edelweiss, Do-Re-Mi, My Favorite Things, Climb Ev’ry Mountain and the title song.
The cast includes Kara Tointon (Mr Selfridge, EastEnders) as Maria; Julian Ovenden (Downton Abbey) as Captain Georg von Trapp; Katherine Kelly (Mr Selfridge, Coronation Street) as Baroness Elsa Schraeder and Alexander Armstrong as Max Detweiler.
ITV’s Director of Entertainment and Comedy Elaine Bedell said “This is the first time in the UK that this type of project has been attempted – a musical drama both performed and broadcast live – but big ambitious live television events is what ITV does well.
“We’ve assembled some of the very best talent both in front of and behind the camera and I can’t wait to see it all come together.”
Ted Chapin, President of Rodgers & Hammerstein: An Imagem Company said “The Sound of Music really is in a class by itself. Since the early sixties, it has lived on as both an award winning Broadway musical and an award winning film.
“The notion of creating a production for live television broadcast is a large undertaking, and one we are delighted ITV has taken on for what will undoubtedly be a Christmas time treat for the whole of the UK.”