"Doe, a deer, a female deer. Ray, a drop of golden sun..." Broadway musical "The Sound of Music" has taken the Hong Kong stage, marking the return of international musical theatre to the city after a four-year hiatus.
As the final stop of its 60th-anniversary world tour, "The Sound of Music" was initially scheduled to run for 40 shows from April 16th to May 19th at the Grand Theatre of the West Kowloon Cultural District. However, due to overwhelming ticket demand, an additional 24 shows were announced, extending the run until June 9th. This makes Hong Kong the city with the most performances on this world tour.
Natalie Duncan, the actress portraying the lead character Maria Rainer, shared with a reporter that this is her first experience participating in a global tour and her longest stay in Hong Kong. She expressed her excitement about being able to explore and discover the city not only from an artistic perspective but also as a local inhabitant.
"The Sound of Music" has endured for 65 years, and according to Natalie, its timeless appeal lies in its exploration of "love, family, and faith," transcending the limitations of time and space. Recalling her childhood as a devoted fan of both the film and stage versions of "The Sound of Music," Natalie feels privileged to now step into the shoes of Maria Rainer and immerse herself in the story once again.
She discovered that she could still resonate with the characters, saying, "Maria's journey is a journey to find herself, and she indeed finds the answers. I believe that every person, regardless of their origin or location, can find their own answers."
Joey Wong (JW) Joins as Guest Performer: "Honored and Nervous"
Hong Kong singer JW (Joey Wong) is set to join the cast of the Hong Kong production of "The Sound of Music" as Elsa Schraeder, the enchanting woman with a romantic history with Captain Von Trapp. She will be performing in 15 shows.
Expressing her emotions about this opportunity, JW humbly shared her feelings of honor and nervousness. Prior to the performances, she engaged in multiple discussions with director Jack O'Brien to delve into the character's background and emotional journey. Throughout the intense week of rehearsals, she dedicated a significant amount of time to memorizing her lines and building a strong rapport with the team.
JW further revealed that in preparation for the official performances, she took the initiative to watch previous actors' portrayals of the character. "For instance, this role involves smoking, which is not a part of my daily life. I observed how it was done and observed the interactions with the other actors."
Looking ahead, JW expressed her anticipation for future opportunities to be involved in musical theater productions.
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