By Amy Somensky Mar 21, 2007, 5:08 GMT
London: Connie Fisher has returned to the West End production of The Sound of Music after a two week medical leave of absence, but on doctor's orders she will now only play six shows a week instead of eight. Beginning March 26th she will not play the Monday evening or Wednesday matinee performances. Fisher's competitor from How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?, Aoife Mulholland will share the role beginning in April. Mulholland is currently starring in another West End musical, Chicago. Understudy Sophie Bould will play the two remaining performances until Mulholland joins.
Andrew Lloyd Webber said in a statement, "I am thrilled that Connie has returned to the show, fit and well, and welcome Aoife, who gave a sensational audition."
The musical opened November 15, 2006 at the London Palladium. Leading the production is How do you Solve a Problem Like Maria winner Connie Fisher. Starring opposite her is Alexander Hanson as Captain von Trapp. The rest of the cast includes Lesley Garrett as Mother Abbess, Lauren Ward as The Baroness, Ian Gelder as Max, Sophie Bould as Liesel, and Neil McDermott as Rolf.
The ensemble features Christopher Blades, Anthony Cable, Ian Caddick, Vivien Care, Tanya Caridia, Christopher Connah, Kate Coysten, Deborah Crowe, Christopher Dickens, Katie Fabel, Susie Fenwick, John Griffiths, Amanda Hall, Paul Kemble, Emma Lindars, Ian Male, Claire Massie, Nicholas Maude, Gavin Mitford, Jo Napthine, Verity Quade, Katie Ray, Simon Schofield, Nicola Sloane, Alan Vicary, Helen Walsh, Elen Mon Wayne, Jane Webster, Kerry Winter, and Vanessa Woodfine.
The Sound of Music has music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, with a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, suggested by The Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp. The creative team features direction by Jeremy Sams, choreography by Arlene Phillips, design by Robert Jones, sound by Mick Potter, and lighting by Mark Henderson.
The musical originally premiered on Broadway in 1959, when it won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The show first opened in London in 1961 and its last London revival was in 1981, both productions having record-breaking runs. The 1965 Hollywood film, which starred Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, won five Oscars, including Best Picture.
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