How do you solve a problem like Maria? For the producers of The Sound of Music, which hit theaters fifty years ago this week, the solution turned out to be Julie Andrews. Other actresses were considered for the part of the free-spirited nanny whose effervescence overcomes not only the grumpiness of Captain von Trapp but also the tyranny of the Nazis. Among those rumored to have been in the running for the role were Grace Kelly, Doris Day, Audrey Hepburn and Anne Bancroft. But in the end, even the producers who wanted a bigger, more marquee-friendly name agreed that Maria should be played by Andrews.
- 3/6/2015
- by Drew Mackie, @drewgmackie
- PEOPLE.com
According to the Sun, during filming for an ITV special to honor Andrew Lloyd Webber's 40 years in show business, he revealed Scarlett Johansson was his first choice for the role of 'Maria' in The Sound of Music during his 2006 'How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria' talent search for BBC1. The show ended up casting Connie Fisher in the role.
- 3/19/2013
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Connie Fisher has been forced to withdraw from her role in The Sound of Music tour due to a throat condition. The 28-year-old How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? winner had been starring as Maria von Trapp alongside Jason Donovan in a travelling production of the musical, but announced today that she would be unable to continue with remaining engagements in Cardiff, Manchester, Newcastle and London. "After many months of battling with a throat condition, known as congenital sulcus vocals, my vocal range has altered dramatically and it is with much regret that I have to withdraw from The Sound of Music as I no longer have the range to sing the part of Maria," she (more)...
- 8/9/2011
- by By Daniel Sperling
- Digital Spy
View the original post X Factor: Mary Byrne works with Madonna’s pal Nigel Wright on Unreality TV
X Factor’s Mary Byrne has reportedly started work on her debut album and the Dublin singer revealed that she will be assisted by experienced record producer Nigel Wright.
The Bristol recording guru has masterminded a number of platinum albums with recording artists as diverse as Madonna, Shakatak, Mezzoforte, Barbra Streisand, Boyzone, Sonia, Take That, Sinitta, José Carreras, Robson & Jerome, Michael Ball, Sarah Brightman, Cliff Richard, Connie Fisher, Paul Potts, Andy Abraham and Ray Quinn.
Talking about her new record, 51 year old Mary told the Irish Independent:
“Nigel’s worked with Madonna on the film soundtrack for Evita. He’s done all the soundtrack albums for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musicals. But what most impressed me was he’s recorded Shirley Bassey who is my all-time hero.”
Byrne will put the finishing...
X Factor’s Mary Byrne has reportedly started work on her debut album and the Dublin singer revealed that she will be assisted by experienced record producer Nigel Wright.
The Bristol recording guru has masterminded a number of platinum albums with recording artists as diverse as Madonna, Shakatak, Mezzoforte, Barbra Streisand, Boyzone, Sonia, Take That, Sinitta, José Carreras, Robson & Jerome, Michael Ball, Sarah Brightman, Cliff Richard, Connie Fisher, Paul Potts, Andy Abraham and Ray Quinn.
Talking about her new record, 51 year old Mary told the Irish Independent:
“Nigel’s worked with Madonna on the film soundtrack for Evita. He’s done all the soundtrack albums for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musicals. But what most impressed me was he’s recorded Shirley Bassey who is my all-time hero.”
Byrne will put the finishing...
- 1/6/2011
- by Lisa McGarry
- Unreality
The BBC must not let itself be used as an advertising billboard for Andrew Lloyd Webber's lucrative West End productions
Whereas television and newspapers have tended to have a hostile relationship – with print fearing the impact of moving pictures on viewers and profitability – TV and theatre have traditionally been close.
The first TV play broadcast was a Pirandello script, and subsequently the BBC and ITV would sometimes screen part of a stage hit (including Osborne's Look Back in Anger) as a combination of cultural reportage and advert. In times of lighter regulation, it was also standard for the BBC to read out details of the latest West End engagements of stars ("Richard Briers and Felicity Kendall are currently appearing at the Apollo Theatre …") over sitcom credits.
All these conventions have now ended but one union between the art forms remains at the heart of the schedules: at the weekend...
Whereas television and newspapers have tended to have a hostile relationship – with print fearing the impact of moving pictures on viewers and profitability – TV and theatre have traditionally been close.
The first TV play broadcast was a Pirandello script, and subsequently the BBC and ITV would sometimes screen part of a stage hit (including Osborne's Look Back in Anger) as a combination of cultural reportage and advert. In times of lighter regulation, it was also standard for the BBC to read out details of the latest West End engagements of stars ("Richard Briers and Felicity Kendall are currently appearing at the Apollo Theatre …") over sitcom credits.
All these conventions have now ended but one union between the art forms remains at the heart of the schedules: at the weekend...
- 3/31/2010
- by Mark Lawson
- The Guardian - Film News
Producers Andrew Lloyd Webber, David Ian and David Mirvish have welcomed Simon Burke to their Toronto production of The Sound Of Music. Burke, a versatile star of stage and screen originally from Australia but with a large body of work in the U.K., will take over the role of Captain von Trapp, having played the role in the West End London production of The Sound Of Music, opposite the "Marias" of Connie Fisher and Summer Strallen.
- 12/8/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
Producers Andrew Lloyd Webber, David Ian and David Mirvish have welcomed Simon Burke to their Toronto production of The Sound Of Music. Burke, a versatile star of stage and screen originally from Australia but with a large body of work in the U.K., will take over the role of Captain von Trapp, having played the role in the West End London production of The Sound Of Music, opposite the "Marias" of Connie Fisher and Summer Strallen.
- 11/19/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
Are you Andrew Lloyd Webber’s next leading lady? Could you be his Dorothy in the new West End production of The Wizard of Oz?
Do you want to follow in the footsteps of previous winners Connie Fisher, Lee Mead and Jodie Prenger? If yes – then you are in luck because the BBC has just opened applications for their newest reality TV show ‘Over The Rainbow.’
Auditions are open to everyone, no matter how much or how little experience you have and nationwide auditions for Dorothy begin in January 2010.
All applicants must have been aged 16 or over by 26 June 2009.
Apply now to book your place...
Do you want to follow in the footsteps of previous winners Connie Fisher, Lee Mead and Jodie Prenger? If yes – then you are in luck because the BBC has just opened applications for their newest reality TV show ‘Over The Rainbow.’
Auditions are open to everyone, no matter how much or how little experience you have and nationwide auditions for Dorothy begin in January 2010.
All applicants must have been aged 16 or over by 26 June 2009.
Apply now to book your place...
- 11/16/2009
- by Lisa McGarry
- Unreality
Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber has confirmed that he scrapped plans for a Wizard Of Oz talent show following a dispute with the BBC. Last month, it was reported that the theatre composer had cancelled the project amid fears that the corporation would be accused of promoting his new musical Love Never Dies. The search for a budding actress to play Dorothy in a stage version of L. Frank Baum's novel was the planned successor to Lloyd Webber's previous BBC shows How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, Any Dream Will Do and I'd Do Anything, which made stars of Connie Fisher, Lee Mead and Jodie Prenger. However, Lloyd Webber has now admitted that the show could not go ahead after he refused to agree to "nonsensical" demands from the BBC. He also hinted that he may decide to work on an ITV version of the programme in the future.
- 8/6/2009
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Brit singer Connie Fisher was forced to cancel her solo U.K. tour after doctors discovered she has a rare condition on her vocal chords. Doctors told the "Sound of Music" star that she might need surgery before she can sing.
Fisher, who shot to fame in the BBC's How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?, has called off the tour on advice from doctors who recommended the surgery, which is aimed at saving her professional career.
She reportedly suffers from a condition known as congenital fusion anomalies, a birth defect which is not uncommon. Doctors say it's a miracle that she has ever been able to sing.
A spokesman for her London-based management company Bedlam told Walesonline.co.uk, "Connie is obviously very disappointed and upset she will not be able to do the concert tour, but we wish her a full recovery."...
Fisher, who shot to fame in the BBC's How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?, has called off the tour on advice from doctors who recommended the surgery, which is aimed at saving her professional career.
She reportedly suffers from a condition known as congenital fusion anomalies, a birth defect which is not uncommon. Doctors say it's a miracle that she has ever been able to sing.
A spokesman for her London-based management company Bedlam told Walesonline.co.uk, "Connie is obviously very disappointed and upset she will not be able to do the concert tour, but we wish her a full recovery."...
- 4/20/2009
- icelebz.com
Connie Fisher has reportedly been told that she will need surgery on her vocal cords if she is ever going to sing again. The diagnosis has led to the How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? winner cancelling her solo 'Secret Love' tour which was due to take place in May and June, reports the BBC. Specialists said that the condition, called congenital fusion anomalies, has probably been with Fisher since birth. Doctors expressed their surprise that the 25-year-old (more)...
- 4/18/2009
- by By Sarah Rollo
- Digital Spy
At the Swansea Grand Theatre on Saturday February 21, the title of 2009 Principality Building Society Welsh Musical Theatre Young Singer Of The Year was awarded to Catherine Mort, a young singer from Swansea who is currently studying at the Guildford School of Acting. The result of the closely fought contest was announced by West End's The Sound Of Music star, Connie Fisher, who was herself the 2006 recipient of the award and who has generously given her time both this year and in 2008 to serve as one of the adjudicators for the contest. Also amongst the list of previous winners of the title are Craig Yates (now a member of BBC's Last Choir Standing winners Only Men Aloud), David Thaxton (the current Enjolras in London's Les Miserables) and Hayley Gallivan (who recently commenced playing the role of Martha in Spring Awakening at the Lyric, Hammersmith).
- 2/23/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
Connie Fisher's first TV drama role was seen by around 4.4 million viewers on Boxing Day, early figures suggest. Caught In A Trap, a one-off piece about an Elvis obsessive who starts stealing to fund memorabilia, averaged 4.43m (20.1%) for ITV1 between 9pm and 10.30pm. It was solidly beaten by BBC One's premiere of swashbuckling movie sequel Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, seen by 6.79m (31%) between 8.30pm and 10.50pm. EastEnders drew 9.64m (42.4%) before Pirates, placing the BBC soap a clear 2 million viewers ahead of its ITV1 rival Coronation Street. Corrie managed 7.54m (33.5%) at 7.30pm, then 7.54m (33.1%) for a second episode an hour later. Emmerdale, brought forward to the earlier time of 6.30pm, had just 5.03m (24.5%). Harry Hill's TV Burp Review of the Year put in 6.13m (28.1%) at 7pm and (more)...
- 12/28/2008
- by By Neil Wilkes
- Digital Spy
Connie Fisher is keen for a starring role as the Doctor's assistant in Doctor Who. The West End star has recently filmed her first TV drama - playing an Elvis obsessive in ITV's Caught In A Trap - and now has her sights set on a key part in the long-running cult show. A new assistant is expected to accompany David Tennant's successor in the fifth series of Doctor Who, which is due to air in 2010. (more)...
- 12/15/2008
- by By Neil Wilkes
- Digital Spy
Connie Fisher has said winning the lead role in Andrew Lloyd Webber's stage production of The Sound Of Music contributed to the end of her five-year relationship with former soldier Neal Williams. The West End star claimed that her sudden rise to fame in BBC reality show How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? put pressure on the couple. "A process like that was difficult (more)...
- 9/9/2008
- by By Sarah Rollo
- Digital Spy
Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber has found his next big theatre star, after wannabe singer/actress Jodie Prenger was announced as the winner of British reality show I'd Do Anything.
The curvaceous 28-year-old, from Lancashire, north-west England, won the public vote on Saturday to beat runner-up Jessie Buckley, 18, to the role of Nancy in a new London production of Oliver! in the West End.
But while Prenger proved a popular choice with the TV show's viewers, both theatre impressario Webber and Oliver! producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh felt Irish Buckley was more suited to the role.
However, after the results were unveiled, Webber said: "She (Prenger) was the people's Nancy, that was always going to be the people's choice, I thought."
And Mackintosh, who thought Prenger was "too big for the part", added: "I'm thrilled for Jodie, congratulations."
Prenger will begin her six-month stint in the musical in December.
Webber's previous TV talent searches have made West End stars out of Lee Mead, who won the lead in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Connie Fisher, who took on the role of Maria Von Trapp in The Sound of Music.
The curvaceous 28-year-old, from Lancashire, north-west England, won the public vote on Saturday to beat runner-up Jessie Buckley, 18, to the role of Nancy in a new London production of Oliver! in the West End.
But while Prenger proved a popular choice with the TV show's viewers, both theatre impressario Webber and Oliver! producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh felt Irish Buckley was more suited to the role.
However, after the results were unveiled, Webber said: "She (Prenger) was the people's Nancy, that was always going to be the people's choice, I thought."
And Mackintosh, who thought Prenger was "too big for the part", added: "I'm thrilled for Jodie, congratulations."
Prenger will begin her six-month stint in the musical in December.
Webber's previous TV talent searches have made West End stars out of Lee Mead, who won the lead in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Connie Fisher, who took on the role of Maria Von Trapp in The Sound of Music.
- 6/1/2008
- WENN
I'd Do Anything winner Connie Fisher is to star in an upcoming one-off drama for ITV1.
The reality TV star achieved fame on the BBC One show and won herself a role in a West End production of The Sound of Music.
She has just begun filming for the new production called Caught in a Trap. Fisher will play Gemma Perkins - a young woman obsessed by Elvis Presley who finds a dishonest means to fund her need for memorabilia.
"I am thrilled to have been cast in my first television drama and I am very excited to be in front of . . .
The reality TV star achieved fame on the BBC One show and won herself a role in a West End production of The Sound of Music.
She has just begun filming for the new production called Caught in a Trap. Fisher will play Gemma Perkins - a young woman obsessed by Elvis Presley who finds a dishonest means to fund her need for memorabilia.
"I am thrilled to have been cast in my first television drama and I am very excited to be in front of . . .
- 5/12/2008
- by Dave West
- Digital Spy
TORONTO -- The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. has acquired format rights to the BBC series "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?" unveiling plans Tuesday for a version of the reality competition that will cast a Canadian actress as Maria von Trapp in a Toronto production of "The Sound of Music".
The CBC series, to be produced by Temple Scott Prods., will air over eight weeks next summer before Toronto-based Mirvish Prods. brings Andrew Lloyd Webber's revival of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical to the Princess of Wales theater in September.
As with the BBC show, which saw Connie Fisher chosen to star in Lloyd Webber's "Music" revival in London, the Canadian producers of "Maria" will hold nationwide auditions before the best candidates are put in front of a panel of judges and Canadian TV viewers for voting and elimination.
Toronto's "Sound of Music" stage production will be led by director Jeremy Sams, choreographer Arlene Philips and designer Robert Jones, all of whom collaborated on the London production.
The CBC series, to be produced by Temple Scott Prods., will air over eight weeks next summer before Toronto-based Mirvish Prods. brings Andrew Lloyd Webber's revival of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical to the Princess of Wales theater in September.
As with the BBC show, which saw Connie Fisher chosen to star in Lloyd Webber's "Music" revival in London, the Canadian producers of "Maria" will hold nationwide auditions before the best candidates are put in front of a panel of judges and Canadian TV viewers for voting and elimination.
Toronto's "Sound of Music" stage production will be led by director Jeremy Sams, choreographer Arlene Philips and designer Robert Jones, all of whom collaborated on the London production.
- 9/26/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
LONDON -- Pop impresario Simon Cowell is turning his attention to the West End stage and promising "the biggest casting call the U.K. has ever seen" as part of a new ITV series that will find two unknowns to play Sandy and Danny in a new theater production of "Grease".
Produced by the ITV/Talkback Thames team behind "X Factor", the primetime musical theater extravaganza, announced Wednesday, will form the backbone of ITV's summer schedule and is part of an emerging British format trend that sees would-be stars audition for major stage roles.
The deal with Cowell's Syco TV production shingle and Talkback Thames was brokered by Ron Taft on behalf of James Jacobs and Warren Casey, who own the rights to the U.S. stage show.
NBC has a similar show, "Grease: You're the One that I Want," featuring casting call auditions for leads in a new Broadway production of the musical, that is set to premiere Jan. 7.
ITV hopes to emulate the success of surprise BBC hit "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?," in which Andrew Lloyd Webber went in search of a star to play the lead in a new version of "The Sound of Music". The show, which was won by Connie Fisher, is currently wowing audiences and critics at London's Palladium.
Produced by the ITV/Talkback Thames team behind "X Factor", the primetime musical theater extravaganza, announced Wednesday, will form the backbone of ITV's summer schedule and is part of an emerging British format trend that sees would-be stars audition for major stage roles.
The deal with Cowell's Syco TV production shingle and Talkback Thames was brokered by Ron Taft on behalf of James Jacobs and Warren Casey, who own the rights to the U.S. stage show.
NBC has a similar show, "Grease: You're the One that I Want," featuring casting call auditions for leads in a new Broadway production of the musical, that is set to premiere Jan. 7.
ITV hopes to emulate the success of surprise BBC hit "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?," in which Andrew Lloyd Webber went in search of a star to play the lead in a new version of "The Sound of Music". The show, which was won by Connie Fisher, is currently wowing audiences and critics at London's Palladium.
- 12/20/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Composer Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber has signed up for a TV show to find an unknown to fill to lead role in a new production of his Joseph And His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat musical. Lord Lloyd-Webber cast Connie Fisher in a London West End production of The Sound Of Music after she beat out competition on the hit BBC show How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? earlier this year. And he's hoping for similar success with Any Dream Will Do, which will air next summer. Lord Lloyd-Webber says, "The success of How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? this summer was a real boost for musical theatre in Britain and I cannot wait to get them involved in Any Dream Will Do. Joseph started in schools and I am looking for a great school choir - to play in the West End, we need a smashing girl, a great boy and of course a Pharaoh/Elvis."...
- 12/20/2006
- WENN
The London revival of musical The Sound Of Music has lost its leading man after producers reportedly felt their Captain Von Trapp wasn't to their liking. Actor Simon Shepherd has been dismissed from the production, according to UK newspaper the Daily Mail, after producers claimed his Von Trapp wasn't working. He had appeared in just two preview performances of the musical with Connie Fisher, who earned the chance to star in the show after winning reality TV talent contest How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? Shepherd's understudy Christopher Dickins will immediately play Von Trapp, while Alexander Hanson has been hired to permanently replace the Henry V star. A spokesman for ever-professional Shepherd says, "Simon wants to wish Alexander Hanson and everyone involved in the production the very best of luck." It isn't the first controversy linked to the show - Fisher's alternate in the show, Emma Williams, quit the production last month after the reality TV show star chose to play Maria in eight performances a week.
- 11/7/2006
- WENN
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