Praed Joins Fisher In New THE SOUND OF MUSIC UK Tour

Michael Praed will star as 'Captain Von Trapp' alongside Connie Fisher as 'Maria' in the National UK tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber, David Ian and The Really Useful Group's smash hit production of the legendary Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "THE SOUND OF MUSIC" opening at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff on 26 July 2009, where it will play until 29 August 2009 (Box Office: 08700 40 2000). Full tour details at www.thesoundofmusictour.com.

Michael Praed's musical theatre credits include leading roles in the West End productions of 'Aspects of Love', 'Copacabana', Susan Stroman's 'Contact' and 'Beautiful and Damned'. His television credits include 'Dynasty', 'Robin of Sherwood' and 'Riders'.

Connie Fisher won BBC 1's "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?" and played the role at the London Palladium for 15 months to critical acclaim. She most recently starred in the Menier Chocolate Factory's production of "They're Playing Our Song" and the ITV drama "Caught in a Trap" last Christmas.

Michael and Connie will be joined by Margaret Preece as 'Mother Abbess', Jacinta Mulcahy as 'Baroness Schraeder', Martin Callaghan as 'Max', Claire Fishenden as 'Liesl' and Jeremy Taylor as 'Rolf'. Kirsty Malpass will play 'Maria' at certain performances.

This lavish production tells the story of the Von Trapp family's flight across the mountains with its unforgettable score that includes some of the most memorable songs ever performed on the musical stage including 'My Favorite Things', 'Do-Re-Mi', 'Climb Ev'ry Mountain', 'The Lonely Goatherd' and the title song 'The Sound of Music'.

"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 SOUND OF MUSIC" will be directed by Jeremy Sams, with choreography by Arlene Phillips, design by Robert Jones, sound by Mick Potter and lighting by Mark Henderson.

This production of the legendary Rodgers and Hammerstein musical opened to rave reviews and sell-out business at the London Palladium in November 2006 and closed on 21 February 2009 after 954 record-breaking performances and was seen by well over 2 million people. "THE SOUND OF MUSIC" 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".