THE SOUND OF MUSIC

Music by RICHARD RODGERS

Lyrics by OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II

Book by HOWARD LINDSAY and RUSSEL CROUSE

Suggested by The Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp

PREMIERES IN SPRINGFIELD FRIDAY,MAY 3

The Clark State Community Performing Arts Center will come alive with The Sound of Music on Friday, May 3.A brand new production of The Sound of Music, produced by NETworks Presentations, is making its Springfield as part of a North American tour.

The Sound of Music is one of the most beloved musicals of all time,” said Adele Adkins, executive director of the Clark State Performing Arts Center. “This tour has been receiving fantastic reviews around the country and now our region will enjoy this special production.”

The Sound of Music features music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, suggested by The Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp. The beloved musical story of Maria and the von Trapp Family will once again thrill audiences with its Tony®, Grammy® and Academy Award®–winning Best Score, including “My Favorite Things,” “Edelweiss” and the title song.

The Sound of Music enjoyed extraordinary success as a live television production when “The Sound of Music Live!” aired on NBC in December, 2013 and was seen by over 44 million people. 2015 marked the 50th anniversary of the film version, which continues to be the most successful movie musical in history.

“I waited for a moment when we could rediscover The Sound of Music as it was originally created,” said Ted Chapin, president of the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization. “Because of the enormous success of the film, few were aware that it started life as a hit Broadway show—and a very big hit at that! The artists behind this production embraced what the authors wrote, looked at it all through modern eyes and, in so doing, found depth and resonance that has been recognized by critics and audiences across the country. It’s like visiting an old friend but finding yourself surprised as well. It’s also a reminder of why this show is such an evergreen.”

The creative team for this new production includes direction by Matt Lenz, based on the national tour’s original direction by three-time Tony Award® winner Jack O’Brien (Hairspray, The Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Coast of Utopia). Original choreography by Danny Mefford (Dear Evan Hansen,Fun Home, The Bridges of Madison County, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson) has been recreated by Jonathan Warren, with music supervision by Andy Einhorn (Hello, Dolly!, Bullets Over Broadway, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, The Light in the Piazza). The design and production team is comprised of Tony Award® nominee Douglas W. Schmidt, set design (The Front Page,42nd Street, Into the Woods); Tony Award® winner Jane Greenwood, costume design (The Little Foxes, 2014 Special Tony Award® for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre), six-time Tony Award® winner Natasha Katz, lighting design (Long Day’s Journey Into Night, An American in Paris, Once, Aida, The Coast of Utopia, The Glass Menagerie) and Shannon Slaton, sound design (Present Laughter, The Humans). Casting is by Stewart/Whitley.

The Sound of Music will begin at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 3 at the Clark State Performing Arts Center, 300 South Fountain Avenue in Springfield. Tickets range from $43-$69 and can be purchased on www.ticketmaster.com.