Press Release: Sound of Music at the Artscape Theatre

The Sound of Music, the world's most loved musical, opens 19 February 2014 at the Artscape Opera House in Cape Town. The world's most loved musical is coming to Cape Town! This lavish show, the highly acclaimed London Palladium production, is presented in South Africa by Pieter Toerien, David Ian and The Really Useful Group, and tells the story of the Von Trapp family’s flight across the mountains from Austria, with its unforgettable score that includes some of the most memorable songs ever performed on the musical stage including “My Favourite Things”, “Edelweiss”, “Do-Re-Mi”, “Sixteen Going on Seventeen”, “The Lonely Goatherd”, “Climb Ev’ry Mountain”, and the title song “The Sound of Music”. Featuring an all-star South African cast, The Sound of Music is a must-see on the 2014 theatrical calendar. ‘The Sound of Music contains arguably the best-loved songs of all time’ – Andrew Lloyd Webber. The South African production will star Andre Schwartz as Captain von Trapp and Bethany Dickson as Maria. With words and music by the legendary Rogers and Hammerstein (Oklahoma!, Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I), The Sound of Music originally premiered on Broadway in 1959 to record-breaking advance ticket sales, where it won eight Tony Awards - including “Best Musical”. The show opened in London in 1961 and became the longest-running American musical of its generation. The 1965 Hollywood film, which starred Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, won five Oscars, including “Best Picture”, and quickly became the highest-grossing film in history. Even today, The Sound of Music remains the most successful movie musical in history. Since the turn of the 21st century, the enduring magic of The Sound of Music has lead to major productions around the world, giving testament to its title as “The World’s Most Popular Musical”. This production of the legendary Rodgers and Hammerstein musical opened to rave reviews and sell-out business at the Wales Millennium Centre in July 2009, following a record-breaking 954 performances at the London Palladium where it was seen by well over 2 million people. The role of Maria was cast following a hugely popular 2006 BBC reality television show called “How do You Solve a Problem like Maria?”. The stellar cast includes Janelle Visagie as Mother Abbess, Tarryn Sudding as the Baroness Schraeder, James Borthwick as Max Detwieler, Carmen Pretorius as Liesel von Trapp, Rhys Williams as Rolf Gruber, Malcolm Terrey as Franz, Rika Sennett as Frau Schmidt, Genna Galloway as Sister Berthe, Monique Weich as Sister as Margaretta and LJ Neilson as Sister Sophia. Pauline du Plessis, Ami Rose Barber, Sebe Leotlela, Pisto Msongelna, Claire Simonis, Mike Huff, Richard White, Adam Pelkowitz, Mark Sykes, Duane Alexander, Ryan Flynn, Torah Rapoho and Claire Taylor are the ensemble cast. The hills will certainly be alive with The Sound of Music in Cape Town, at the Artscape Opera House from 19 February to 29 March 2014. Performances run Tuesday to Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 3pm and 8pm and Sundays at 2pm and 6pm. Tickets cost from R125 to R425 via Computicket or 0861 915 8000. The production transfers to Montecasino in Johannesburg from 5 April to 8 June 2014. The Sound of Music is presented by Pieter Toerien, David Ian and The Really Useful Group, with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein ll and based on the book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. ends

David was born in Ilford, Essex. After attending the local grammar school and a series of ill suited jobs, he became a performer. His first theatrical role was as Rocky in The Rocky Horror Show and he went on to appear in several musicals, including Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Time and The Pirates of Penzance, where he met fellow actor Paul Nicholas. They formed their own production company and their first West End Production, Grease, is still playing throughout the world today.

David joined Clear Channel Entertainment (which then became Live Nation) in 2000 and was made Chairman of its global theatre business in 2005. He set up David Ian Productions in 2006. Amongst his numerous producing credits are Grease, Saturday Night Fever, The King & I, The Producers, Guys & Dolls, Anything Goes, Evita, Sweet Charity, La Cage Aux Folles, Gypsy, Starlight Express, Phantom of the Opera and The Sound of Music.

David is a keen runner, having competed in five marathons and his proudest achievement is raising over £1,000,000.00 to date for various cancer charities. He lives in leafy Buckinghamshire with his wife, Tracy, two children, James and Emily, and German shepherd, Zak!

See more at: http://www.davidianproductions.com/the-team/david-ian/#sthash.FUdFPwXL.dpuf

Press release provided by Allison Foat, Diva PR.