TV: First Look at Billy Zane, Jenn Gambatese and More in Highlights of Lyric Opera of Chicago's THE SOUND OF MUSIC

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents a stunning new production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's beloved Broadway musical The Sound of Music, April 25-May 25, 2014, at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive. Tickets start at $29 and are available now atlyricopera.org/soundofmusic or at 312-827-5600. Check out a first look at highlights below!

The production's all-star cast is led by Billy Zane, star of James Cameron's international blockbusterTitanic and critically acclaimed for his portrayal of Billy Flynn in Broadway's Chicago, as Captain von Trapp and Broadway star Jenn Gambatese (leading roles in Wicked and Disney's Tarzan) as Maria. Also featured are Broadway and TV veteran Edward Hibbert as impresario Max Detweiler, renowned operatic sopranos Christine Brewer as the Mother Abbess and Elizabeth Futral as Elsa Schraeder, and local talents Betsy Farrar (Liesl), Brady Tutton, (Friedrich), Julia Schweizer (Louisa), Michael Harp (Kurt), Isabelle Roberts (Brigitta), KyLee Hennes (Marta), Nicole Scimeca (Gretl), and Zach Sorrow (Rolf).

The new production is conducted by Rob Fisher (Lyric debut) and directed by Marc Bruni (Lyric debut), with set designs by Michael Yeargan, costume designs by Alejo Vietti (Lyric debut), lighting design by Duane Schuler, and sound design by Mark Grey. Denis Jones (Lyric debut) is choreographer, and Michael Black is chorus master.

In addition to the stellar cast, 37 members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra are performing with a 25-member choral ensemble (including 12 members of the Lyric Opera Chorus). This company premiere is the second work in Lyric's American Musical Theater Initiative, which launched last season with a new production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma!

The new Lyric Opera production of The Sound of Music is generously made possible by Exclusive Corporate Sponsor Northern Trust. Cosponsors: An Anonymous Donor, Brent and Catherine Gledhill, Robert S. and Susan E. Morrison, Mrs. Herbert A. Vance and Mr. and Mrs. William C. Vance, Mr. and Mrs. W. James Farrell, Jim and Vicki Mills/Jon and Lois Mills, and The Neundorf Trusts in Memory of Maynette V. Neundorf and John K. Neundorf.

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