International Broadway Musical - THE SOUND OF MUSIC comes to India at Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC)
April 17, 2023 14:33:42 IST MTG editorial
The global tour of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien, will be the first Broadway touring musical to perform in India at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre from May 3, 2023.
This seven-time Tony Award® winner, including best music, is a fun-filled family drama that narrates the spirited story of young governess Maria Rainer and the Von Trapp family, set in the scenic neighbourhood of Nonnberg Abbey, Austria. It traces the life and adventures of Captain Georg von Trapp, a retired officer of the Austrian Navy, and his children. A series of dramatic events unfold as Maria introduces the Von Trapp kids to music and their widowed father to the joys of affection, culminating in the group’s flight across the Austrian mountains.
Although set in a unique time of its own with the impending outbreak of World War II, the all-time classic is forevermore loveable for portraying the triumph of the human spirit through music, romance, and happiness over conflict, both internal and external.
Founder & Chairperson, Mrs. Nita Mukesh Ambani said, “It is our vision to showcase the best of India to the world and bring the best of the world to India! After the stupendous success of THE GREAT INDIAN MUSICAL - CIVILIZATION TO NATION, we are thrilled to present one of the most celebrated international musicals of all time ‘The Sound of Music’ for the very first time in India, at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre. We can’t wait for our people to experience this iconic Broadway musical in their own country and make memories with their family and friends!”
Whether you are gearing up for your first tryst with this bucket list experience or can lip-sync to its iconic numbers like ‘My Favourite Things’, ‘Do Re Mi’ and ‘Sixteen Going on Seventeen’, watching THE SOUND OF MUSIC at The Grand Theatre will ensure that this summer you don’t have to travel outside India for a truly international experience.
Commenting on adapting the production for the Indian tour, Jack O'Brien, Director, said: “One of the most thrilling and satisfying assignments in my career, was creating the production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC on its way to India. Because the famous and beloved film did not follow the original intentions of the musical as written, it was like opening a King Tuts tomb of wonderful ideas and plot twists that no one has seen since its inception. We are so proud to represent American musical theatre with this particular production, with the belief India will embrace it thoroughly.”
The evergreen story of love, laughter, and music will feature powerful performances by its stellar Broadway crew, including Jill-Christine Wiley as Maria Rainer, who has previously starred in Disney's The Little Mermaid (Ariel), Disney's Beauty and The Beast (Belle), along with Trevor Martin as Captain Von Trapp, whose accolades include Sweeney Todd (Sweeney Todd), Beauty and the Beast (Beast), White Christmas (Bob Wallace), and several other globally acclaimed artists, and Lauren Kidwell as Mother Abbess, previously seen in Ragtime (Mother) and Songs For A New World (Woman 2).
The 7-time Tony Award® winning musical will make its India debut at The Grand Theatre, the Cultural Centre’s pièce de resistance. Among the many features that make it ideal for hosting a musical of this stature and scale is the impressive size of its stage and proscenium. While the former can hold over 200 people along with scenery all at once, the latter stands at about 30 feet tall - the largest proscenium in India! These ensure that very little modifications to the original scenery and lighting to fit into the theatre.
THE SOUND OF MUSIC features music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, suggested by The Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp. Simone Genatt, Marc Routh, and Broadway International Group are producing, along with co-producers Roy Furman, Broadway Asia Group, Cornice Productions, and Gabrielle Palitz. Eric Cornell serves as General Manager for Broadway Asia International.
The premiere show will be held on May 3, 2023 at The Nita Ambani Cultural Centre, while shows for public will be held from May 4 - May 21, 2023.
*Mumbai Theatre Guide takes no responsibility for change in schedule.
