THE SOUND OF MUSIC Ends Run At The Princess of Wales Theatre January 10

The enormously popular production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC cannot seem to satisfy audience demand. The record-breaking run was scheduled to end on January 3, 2010 after 15 sensational months. But audiences want more, so producers Andrew Lloyd Webber, David Ian and David Mirvish have had to give in and quickly organize one more week of the classic musical. THE SOUND OF MUSIC will enjoy eight more performances, now ending on January 10, 2010.

Explains David Mirvish: "The audience is always right. They always know better than anyone else; they have told us they want more SOUND OF MUSIC. And we always listen to them, so we have canvassed the cast, orchestra, crew and staff. Everyone has agreed to change their plans and give us eight more performances of this beloved production.

"And to thank our audiences for their support, we have decided to offer all tickets for this extra week of performances at only $50 and $30. That's our gift to Toronto. Happy holidays to one and all!"

ABOUT THIS PRODUCTION

THE SOUND OF MUSIC began performances on October 3, 2008 and was an immediate favourite with audiences and critics alike:

'An Unprecedented Triumph!' - AM740
'Top-notch! Extravagant! Breathtaking!' - Globe and Mail
'Stupendous! Triumphant! Don't Miss It!' - Toronto Star
'Thrilling! You're going to love it!' - Toronto Sun
'Magical! Genuinely moving! A production of unusual depth and imagination.' - Canwest News
'The Hills Truly are Alive!' - Q107
'Irresistible! Heartwarming!' - National Post

The production was awarded three Dora Mavor Moore Awards -- Best Musical Production, Best Actress (Elicia MacKenzie) and Best Set Design (Robert Jones).

By closing date, the production will have played 69 weeks -- setting a record for the longest run of a revival in Toronto -- and will have been seen by over 900,000 people. It is estimated that the production will have generated an economic spinoff to the city of Toronto in excess of $450,000,000. That's certainly a "long, long way to run."

THE SOUND OF MUSIC employed a company of more than 170 actors, musicians and technicians, famously introducing many new bright talents to the professional theatre -- including the two Marias, Elicia MacKenzie and Janna Polzin, and more than two dozen young actors who portrayed the von Trapp children throughout the show's engagement and who no doubt will go on to lead brilliant careers in the performing arts.

This production is also noted for being the first in Canada to cast its leading role through a television series, the top-rated CBC TV program "How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?". Elicia MacKenzie was chosen by the Canadian public to play Maria, a choice applauded by all who attended the production. (The runner-up in the television series, Janna Polzin, was cast as the alternate Maria and performed the role twice weekly.)

With music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse (suggested by "The Trapp Family Singers" by Maria Augusta Trapp), THE SOUND OF MUSIC is one of the most beloved musicals of all time.

The score for THE SOUND OF MUSIC touches the hearts of all ages and brims over with some of the most memorable songs ever performed on the musical stage including My Favorite Things, Do-Re-Mi, Edelweiss, Climb Ev'ry Mountain, Sixteen Going On Seventeen, The Lonely Goatherd and, of course, the glorious title song The Sound of Music.

The film adaptation of the original 1959 Broadway production won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture in 1965.

In 2006, producers Andrew Lloyd Webber and David Ian opened a new production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC at the legendary London Palladium, the first major revival in London since the West End premiere in 1961.

The production at Toronto's Princess of Wales Theatre is the North American premiere of the London smash and is overseen by the same, award-winning creative team -- director Jeremy Sams, choreographer Arlene Philips and designer Robert Jones.

AIR CANADA is the official sponsor of THE SOUND OF MUSIC Canada.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC
On sale through performances to January 10, 2010

The Princess of Wales Theatre
300 King Street West

Tuesday at 7:00 PM (note early time)
Wednesday to Saturday at 7:30 PM;
Matinees: Saturday & Sunday at 1:30 PM
Final Performance Sunday, January 10 at 7 PM

All tickets Jan 5 to 10 $50 & $30

Available online at www.mirvish.com
or by calling Ticketking at 416-872-1212 or 1-800-461-3333
or in person at the Princess of Wales Theatre Box Office

For more information go to www.soundofmusiccanada.com