Jones Hall will be alive with THE SOUND OF MUSIC as the First National Tour of the Broadway revival kicks off the Houston Broadway Series season December 21 - 26, 1999. Two-time Golden Globe Award-winner, Richard Chamberlain stars as the heroic Captain Georg von Trapp in the inspiring true story of the postulant Maria Rainer and their daring escape from Nazi occupied Austria.

The world's most beloved musical, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, returned to Broadway for the first tirne in nearly 40 years since its 1959 premiere. In 1998, this stellar production was a Tony nominee for Best Revival of a Musical, with music and lyrics by Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II, and book by Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse.

Richard Chamberlain, two-time Golden Globe Award Winner, stars as the heroic Captain George von Trapp. Chamberlain has created a singular position in the world of mini- series, having starred in some of the most dramatic and powerful productions in the history of television. Over the last two decades he has starred in six of the most acclaimed miniseries: Shogun, Wallenberg, The Thornbirds, The Bourne Identity, Dream West, and Centennial. This February, Chamberlain starred opposite Lauren Bacall in his latest mini-series, Too Rich: The Secret Life of Doris Duke.

His most recent Broadway credits include Noel Coward's BLITHE SPIRIT, and the 1993-94 smash hit MY FAIR LADY, which also toured to markets throughout the United States with great success.

Multi-talented Meg Tolin who performed with Richard Chamberlain in the 1993 North American and European tours of MY FAIR LADY joins him once more as the vivacious postulant Maria Rainer. Ms. Tolin also performed in both the Toronto and Broadway productions of SHOWBOAT as Kim Ravenal and appeared as Fleamnchen in Tommy Tune's GRAND HOTEL.

Set in Salzburg, Austria, in the late 1930's, THE SOUND OF MUSIC is the inspiring true story of the postulant Maria Rainer. She proves too high-spirited for the religious life and is dispatched to serve as governess for the seven children of the widowed naval Captain von Trapp. Her growing rapport with the von Trapp children, coupled with her generosity and spirit, gradually captures the heart of the stern Captain and they are soon married. Upon returning from their honeymoon, they discover that the Nazis have invaded Austria, and have demanded the Captain's immediate service in their navy. The finale illustrates the family's narrow escape over the mountains to Switzerland and freedom.

In addition to the timeless Rodgers & Hammerstein songs "My Favorite Things,
"DO-RE-MI", "Climb Every Mountain", and "Edelweiss," this stage production also features two songs written by Richard Rodgers for the film version, "I Have Confidence" and "Something Good." Two songs from the original score which were not in the film, "How Can Love Survive?" and "There's No Way to Stop It" are also included in the production.

The distinguished careers of Richard Rodgers (composer) and Oscar Hammerstein II (librettist/ lyricist) joined forces in 1943 to create the most successful partnership in American musical theatre history. Among their credits were nine Broadway musicals, including OKLAHOMA!, CAROUSEL, SOUTH PACIFIC, THE KING AND I, FLOWER DRUM SONG and THE SOUND OF MUSIC.

Their creative genius is also found in the film musical STATE FAIR and the TV musical CINDERELLA. Collectively, their musicals have earned 34 Tony AwardLs, 15 Academy Awards, two Pulitzer Prizes, two Grammy Awards and One Emmy Award. In September 1999, they were honored with a commemorative U.S. postage stamp.

The partnership of Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse (authors) stands today as the longest collaboration of any writers in theatrical history, lasting for more than twenty-eight years. In addition to THE SOUND OF MUSIC, their hit shows include LIFE WITH FATHER, the Pulitzer Piize-winning THE STATE OF THE UNION; ANYTHING GOES; RED HOT AND BLUE, HAPPY HUNTING and CALL ME MADAM.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC is directed by Susan M. Schulman director of the Tony
Award-winning musical THE SECRET GARDEN and Circle in the Square's revival of SWEENEY TODD for which she received a Tony nomination. Ms.Schulman's Off-Broadway credits include the musical VIOLET for which she was nominated for The New York Drama Critics Desk Award for Best Director and Sondheim and Furth's musical MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG for which she received the 1995 Obie Award for Best Direction. Most recently, she directed the National Tour of SUNSET BOULEVARD.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC features scenery designed by Tony Award winning Heidi Ettinger with costume designs by Catherine Zuber, lighting design by multi Tony Award winner Paul Gallo and sound design by Tony Meola.

The original production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC opened at Broadway's Lunt-
Fontanne Theatre on November 16, 1959. This production won seven Tony Awards including Best Musical and ran for 1,443 performances. The 1965 film version earned five Academy Awards including Best Picture and stands as the most successful movie musical of all time.

"THE SOUND OF MUSIC is back, and all's right with the world!" proclaims WNBC-TV. Critics and audiences have raved that THE SOUND OF MUSIC "has hit stamped all over it" (Newsday). The Wall Street Journal exclaims, "Splendid Entertainment!"

THE SOUND OF MUSIC is produced by Hallmark, joined by Steven Baruch, Richard Frankel, Thomas Viertel, and Jujamcyn Theaters, in association with The Rodgers & Hammerstein organization, Charles Kelman Productions Inc., Simone Genatt Haft, Marc Routh, Jay Binder, Robert Halmi, Jr., James D. Stern and Pace Theatrical Group, Inc.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC will be at Jones Hall ffom December 21 to December 26, 1999- Tickets for the Houston engagement will go on sale November 14, 1999 and can be purchased at all Ticketmaster ticket locations. 

To charge-by-phone, call 713-629-3700; for groups of 20 or more, call 713-693-2692 or toll free at 1-800-889-8457.

Prices range from $30-50 - $55.00 depending upon performance time, date and seat location. Show times are Tuesday - Thursday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday matinees are at 2:00 p.m. and the Sunday evening performance is at 7:00 p.m.

Recent photo of Richard Chamberlain, outside the Theatre where he starred in the Broadway production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, taken April 1999.