Five-time Grammy award winner Carrie Underwood will play Maria von Trapp and True Blood star Stephen Moyer will assume the role of Captain George von Trapp. Joining the cast will be Broadway veterans Audra McDonald, Laura Benanti and Christian Borle.
During an interview with Ryan Seacrest, Underwood stated that she believes that she has the talent to fulfill the role. “It’s different because normally I say whatever comes out. I’ve never had to memorize lines before and really buckle down. It’s a different kind of music,” said Underwood.
The Sound of Music will be Underwood’s first mainstream role outside her country music career. But there is no doubt that Underwood has the vocal guns to hold her own. NBC’s Chairman Bob Greenbalt released a statement in regards to the character Maria, “She was an iconic woman who will now be played by an iconic artist.” The cast is currently rehearsing daily, for a few months, in New York.
Many entertainment sites are already comparing Andrews to Underwood, noting the similarity of the two in their featured production posters. Underwood says that she watched the film starring Andrews, growing up however she warns viewers, “This is the musical version, so it’s different.”
The Sound of Music will be directed by Beth McCarthy-Miller and Rob Ashford and produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron.
