The 'American Idol' alumna will sing live on television as the lead character of the classic Broadway play.
- Dec 1, 2012
AceShowbiz - Carrie Underwood will carry "The Sound of Music" legacy on small screen, taking the role of Maria von Trapp which was popularized in a 1965 movie by Julie Andrews. The former "American Idol" champion has signed up to play the main character in NBC's live broadcast of the original stage version.
"Speaking for everyone at NBC, we couldn't be happier to have the gifted Carrie Underwood take up the mantle of the great Maria von Trapp," said Robert Greenblatt, chairman of NBC Entertainment. "She was an iconic woman who will now be played by an iconic artist."
Greenblatt apparently had had the name since earlier this month when he told Deadline, "I think we are close to finding our Maria and as soon as we have that in place we will announce it with great fanfare."
Produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron of "Smash", it will be a three-hour show based on the original Broadway which was ran in 1960 and led by stage actress Mary Martin. The plan is to air it sometime around the 2013 holiday season.
Underwood has had an experience in singing "The Sound of Music". She performed the title song at 2007's "Movies Rock", a live concert that celebrated music in iconic films. She has also shown her acting chop in a 2010 episode of CBS' comedy "How I Met Your Mother" and 2011 film "Soul Surfer".
