Song Il-guk, Bae Da-hae, Yuna, and Others to Star in Musical 'Sound of Music'

Performance at Sejong Center Grand Theater from April 28 to May 17

[Asia Economy Reporter Byunghee Park] The Sejong Center Seoul Musical Company and Insight Entertainment have announced the casting for the musical 'Sound of Music,' which will open on April 28 at the Sejong Center Grand Theater.

'Sound of Music' is a performance based on the true story of the von Trapp family choir, who had to flee their homeland to escape Nazi rule during World War II in Austria in 1938. Since its U.S. premiere in 1959, it set box office records on Broadway and swept the 1960 Tony Awards, winning Best Musical, Best Leading Actress, Best Featured Actress, Best Music Director, Best Producer, and Best Set Design. In 1965, it was made into a film of the same name, which won Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Editing, and Best Sound.

The story depicts Maria, a novice nun who loves nature and singing, living as a temporary governess at the home of retired Austrian naval officer Colonel von Trapp. She teaches the children how to play, sing, and enjoy life, growing together with them.

The role of Maria, the novice nun who loves nature and singing, is played by actors Lee Yeon-kyung and Bae Da-hae. Lee Yeon-kyung, a member of the Seoul Musical Company, has shown a refreshing yet powerful vocal performance in musicals such as 'Annie,' 'The Merchant of Venice,' and 'Gwanghwamun Sonata.' Bae Da-hae gained public attention for her outstanding singing ability on KBS2's 'Qualifications of Men' and has appeared in musicals like 'The Man Who Breaks Walls,' 'Ars?ne Lupin,' and 'Sherlock Holmes.'

The role of Colonel von Trapp, the retired Austrian naval officer who closed his heart after his wife's death, is played by actors Song Il-gook and Park Sung-hoon. Song Il-gook is a beloved actor known for numerous popular dramas such as 'Jumong,' 'The Great King Sejong,' and 'Jang Yeong-sil.' He debuted on stage in 2010 with the play 'I Am You' and has consistently met audiences through musicals like 'Broadway 42nd Street' and the play 'God of Carnage.' Park Sung-hoon, a leading actor of the Seoul Musical Company, received great love last year for his new portrayal of Warbucks in the musical 'Annie.'

From the left in the first row: Song Il-guk, Lee Yeon-kyung, Bae Da-hae, Park Sung-hoon. From the left in the second row: Yuna (AOA), Heo Do-young, Seo Yoo-jin. From the left in the third row: Kwon Myung-hyun, Lim Seung-yeon, Woo Hyun-ah. From the left in the bottom row: Kim Ga-on, Lee Eun-ah, Yuk Ye-seo, Kim Tae-hee, Yoon Yi-seop, Yoo Da-young, Han Woo-jong.
Photo by Sejong Center for the Performing Arts

The role of Liesl, the eldest daughter of Colonel von Trapp who is suffering from first love, is cast with actors Yuna (AOA) and Seo Yoo-jin. Yuna, the main vocalist of the idol group AOA, has built her acting skills through numerous web dramas and debuted on the musical stage last year with 'One More.' Seo Yoo-jin took her first step as a member of the Seoul Musical Company last year with the musical 'Annie.'

The role of Rolf, the young postman who falls in love with Liesl, is played by Seoul Musical Company actor Heo Do-young. Heo Do-young has appeared in musicals such as 'The Merchant of Venice,' 'Bravo My Love,' and 'Gwanghwamun Sonata.'

The role of the Mother Abbess, who cares for Maria and teaches her the courage to face problems, is played by Seoul Musical Company members Lim Seung-yeon and Kwon Myung-hyun. The charming fianc?e of Colonel von Trapp, Elsa, is also played by Seoul Musical Company actor Woo Hyun-ah.

The von Trapp children, who will perform alongside eldest daughter Liesl, were selected through a child audition involving over 400 participants. Han Woo-jong from musicals 'The Man Who Laughs,' 'Billy Elliot,' and 'Newsies' was cast as the second son Friedrich; Kim Tae-hee and Yuk Ye-seo from the musical 'Annie' were cast as the fifth daughter Brigitta and sixth daughter Marta, respectively. Yoo Da-young plays the third daughter Louisa, Yoon Yi-seop plays the fourth son Kurt, and the youngest Gretl is double-cast with Kim Ga-on and Lee Eun-ah.

Jung Tae-young, who has challenged various genres based on novels, dramas, and films such as the musicals 'Nijinsky,' 'The Jungle Book,' 'Moon Embracing the Sun,' and the play 'Alcohol, Tears, and Jekyll & Hyde,' is directing the production.

Choreography is by Seo Byung-gu, choreographer of musicals 'Jesus Christ Superstar,' 'Elisabeth,' and 'Frankenstein.' Music direction is by composer Jang So-young, known for musicals 'Singles' and 'Pimatgol Sonata.' The TMM Orchestra, which collaborated on last year's musical 'Annie,' will perform the music. Stage design is by Seo Sook-jin, stage director of musicals 'Elisabeth,' 'Ben-Hur,' and 'Frankenstein.'

Filled with timeless classics remembered by all generations such as 'Edelweiss,' 'Do-Re-Mi Song,' and 'My Favorite Things,' the musical 'Sound of Music' is a co-production of the Sejong Center and Insight Entertainment and will be performed from April 28 to May 17 at the Sejong Center Grand Theater. Tickets can be reserved through the Sejong Center website and various ticketing platforms.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.