Carrie Underwood, Audra MacDonald, Christian Borle Set To Dazzle Our Senses in The Sound Of Music Live

December 5, 2013 by Masterclass Lady 7 Comments


20131205-130150.jpgPicture Credit: Getty Images; NBC

Well, tonight is the night where Carrie Underwood, Audra MacDonald, Christian Borle and company take to the stage in the first ever live televised production of the Sound Of Music.

NBC is taking a big gamble on this production but all I have to say is kudos to them for trying to bring back another form of live entertainment.

And according to an interview with the producers of the show, anything can happen:

“The challenges are finding the cast that aren’t afraid to do it. Also the way to block it out so there is kind of a hyper feeling of film, theater and TV in so far as we have multiple cameras and the editing and shooting is done as is airing even though we are rehearsing so everybody is going to be fully rehearsed for that night. So it is challenging to get all of that set in a way that we only have one opportunity to do it. “

The article further states:

“NBC is taking a big gamble with what it hopes will become a holiday season mainstay for years to come, with sources telling The Hollywood Reporter that the price tag for the live Sound of Music production close to $9 million. The network has already made available a 22-song soundtrack featuring Underwood on iTunes, with plans to encore Sound of Music prior to Christmas and a DVD on Dec. 17, in time for holiday gift-giving”

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After seeing countless productions of The Sound Of Music, I was officially sated with this show – until now.

However, my inquisitiveness had less to do with Carrie’s coveted role of Maria – although this is more than enough reason to tune in. No – for me – it had to do with the fact that this is going to be a live television event. Three hours of live television where anything can happen! And, apparently, NBC is hoping that, if successful, this will become an annual event.

From the numerous previews I have watched, Carrie has received superb direction and her voice sounds absolutely wonderful in the role. I am concerned about her more subdued acting ability but the more energetic scenes should be a very honest, genuine and playful experience.

Vocally, this is the direction in which Carrie should be moving. Many years ago, when I heard her perform on Oprah with Michael Buble and Tony Bennett, I felt that her voice was a Broadway diamond in the rough.

Well, that diamond has since been polished and refined by her Sound Of Music experience and, if all goes well Thursday evening, all that is left to happen is to watch its stock price rise to mega stardom. If you think she is a big star now – just you wait, Henry Higgins, just you wait!!

And, let us not forget the magical voice of Broadway star, Audra MacDonald. She was wisely cast in the role of Mother Abbess and will bring additional credibility and professionalism to this mammoth production.

On Wednesday, December 4th, she performed Climb Every Mountain during the annual Christmas in Rockefeller Center. Her performance left no doubt that we are in for a really exciting and entertaining musical experience on Thursday, December 5th.

Are you excited as I? I don’t know about you, but I am setting my DVR so I can tune in to the show with my grandchildren time and again during the Christmas season.

Sound Of Music Live begins on NBC at 8:00 PM on Thursday, December 6th. Comment away during the show. It will be too much fun!

Broadway, Singing, Television
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About Masterclass Lady

Rosanne (Giallonardo) Simunovic began her musical career in Timmins, Ontario. She studied piano with Anne Pizzale and later, at an advanced level, with Soeur Anita Vaugeois (Sister Cecile of Les Soeurs De L’Assomption in Timmins). Her vocal and accompaniment skills were nurtured by her aunt, the late Dorothea Mascioli. When Rosanne graduated from O’Gorman High School, she moved on to the University of Toronto where she continued her piano and vocal studies while attaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree. She was hired as a piano accompanist for several musical companies, most notably, the National Ballet Of Canada. She presently holds an A.R.C.T. Teacher’s Diploma in Voice from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Rosanne has studied choral conducting with numerous well known Canadian Conductors, including Wayne Riddell of Montreal, Quebec and the internationally renowned Dr. Elmer Iseler. She has been a founding member of numerous community-based arts organizations: the Timmins Arts Council, later known as Arts & Culture Timmins, the Timmins Symphony Orchestra, and, the Timmins Youth Singers…as well as the TYS Alumnus choir, the Timmins Concert Singers. In 1987, she was also selected to be the conductor of the Timmins Board Of Education Choir, comprised of talented students from Grades 5 to 8. In 1988, she was elected to the Board Of Directors of the Ontario Choral Federation (now known as Choirs Ontario), where she served as Chair of the Festivals Committee for six consecutive seasons. In 1996, in honour of the Ontario Choral Federation’s 25th Anniversary, Rosanne was selected as one of 25 recipients of the OCF’s Distinguished Service Award for outstanding contribution to the choral art. The ceremony was presided by Lieutenant Governor, Hal Jackman. In November 1997, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Rotary Club Of Timmins to receive the prestigious Paul Harris Award for her years of dedication to the artistic development of young musical talent in Timmins. In August of 2002, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Board Of Directors of Choirs Ontario to serve as Conductor of both the Provincial Junior and Teen Choir Camps, now renamed in honour of the Camp Benefactors, Don and Lillian Wright. In November 2002, Rosanne was the one of the recipients of the Commemorative Medal for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, honouring her work in the development of the arts in Timmins. Under Rosanne Simunovic’s direction, the Timmins Youth Singers and the Timmins Concert Singers have been featured in numerous choral festivals and performing opportunities outside of Timmins. In 1985, they were selected to partici
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7 Responses to “Carrie Underwood, Audra MacDonald, Christian Borle Set To Dazzle Our Senses in The Sound Of Music Live”

  1. Richard December 5, 2013 at 4:34 pm

    First of all thank you so much for posting this lovely piece. I have no worries whatsoever of Carrie and this role. I feel her acting will just fall right into place with this character. Carrie makes a great Maria. What I admire so much about this true one of a kind is that she throws herself into everything that she does. And lord knows she is one of the best live singers out there today….. I have so much respect also for her cast peers who have had nothing but great great things to say about her…..

    No one will ever take the place of Julie Andrews in the role of Maria, but Carrie will certainly make Julie proud after this evening…. I will be glued to the set this evening to watch one of my favorite singers to date…. A true god send when it comes to undeniable vocal ability……

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  2. Masterclass Lady December 5, 2013 at 5:00 pm

    Richard. Thank you. It was a pleasure and privilege to add this topic about Carrie’s upcoming performance in The Sound Of music this evening.

    And you pointed out a couple of things that I neglected to mention about her professionalism. She is an astounding and accomplished live singer and one of the most disciplined and meticulous artists in the business today. She has a strongly ingrained work ethic which I have always admired.

    And that round mouth – so important for resonant and centred vocal delivery – is still ingrained in her vocal regimen. Love her!

    Like

  3. awestruck December 5, 2013 at 6:37 pm

    Yes Audra MacDonald sang last night and it was stunning in my opinion. Can’t watch live tonight but have set my DVR!

    Like

  4. kitty December 5, 2013 at 8:17 pm

    Thank you for posting this. I don’t normally check tv guide every day and I wouldn’t haven’t known about it if I hadn’t checked your blog. I will most certainly watch.

    I am a little skeptical though, but I hope I’ll like it still. But to me, The Sound of Music is one of those old musicals that are almost operettas, so I like a classical voice sound in it like Julie Andrews’ – the sound of Broadway before microphones were introduced there. I just am not sure I’ll like a more pop sound in this musicals, but who knows, Carry may win me over. I will watch anyway.

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  5. Gene W December 6, 2013 at 2:20 pm

    You did post an article about this, didn’t you? A very nice one I might add. I only had time for the first half of the production last night, but what I saw was very well done and enjoyable to watch. I’ve recorded the rest for later. I’m glad that a network would take a chance on a three hour live production in this time of extremely close budgets. Given the copycat nature of television networks, this may be a good indication of what may come in the future from the other networks.

    I think Carrie did a nice job in the role of Maria and as you said, she is known for her work ethic. The producer of her first album after winning American Idol said she was a delight to work with. She always arrived early at the studio, was well prepared and laid down many of her vocal tracks on the first take. I’m sure she approached this project with the same enthusiasm. I’m not sure that this project could have been successful in terms of viewership without a chart topping popular music artist in the lead role.

    It’s funny the sense of pride that you have when one of the AI alumni do well. They become almost like your children. That’s the magic that the competing shows have yet to capture.

    Like

  6. Heidijoy (@Heidijoy5) December 6, 2013 at 2:22 pm

    Watched last evening and thoroughly enjoyed it!!

    Like

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