The Sound of Music Live! Casts the von Trapp Children — Carrie Underwood Stars as Maria

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — Nov. 1, 2013 — NBC has announced the seven young actors who will portray the von Trapp children in its live television event, The Sound of Music Live!, starring Carrie Underwood as Maria. After a nationwide casting search, the production has filled the cherished roles that anchor this classic family story.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE! — Pictured: (l-r) Ella Watts-Gorman as Luisa, Sophia Caruso as Brigitta, Grace Rundhaug as Marta, Michael Nigro as Friedrich, Carrie Underwood as Maria, Ariane Rinehart as Liesl, Peyton Ella as Gretl, Joe West as Kurt — (Photo by: Giovanni Rufino/NBC)

The three-hour live telecast is scheduled to air Thursday, Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The event pairs country music star and six-time Grammy Award winner Carrie Underwood in the role of Maria with Stephen Moyer, best known for his work on True Blood, as Captain Georg von Trapp. Moyer recently returned to musical theater after headlining a stage production of Chicago at the Hollywood Bowl.

Joining Underwood and Moyer is a strong lineup of Broadway talent. Tony Award winner Audra McDonald appears as the Mother Abbess, Laura Benanti takes on the role of Elsa Schrader, and Christian Borle portrays Max Dettweiler. This ensemble brings a mix of television and stage experience to a production that aims to honor the musical’s theatrical roots while adapting it for a modern television audience.

The von Trapp children cast for the telecast are: Ariane Rinehart as Liesl; Michael Nigro as Friedrich; Ella Watts-Gorman as Louisa; Joe West as Kurt; Sophia Caruso as Brigitta; Grace Rundhaug as Marta; and Peyton Ella as the youngest, Gretl. These young performers were chosen after an extensive search that sought actors capable of singing, acting and conveying the warmth and spirit central to the von Trapp family dynamic.

Based on the original 1959 Broadway production created by Mary Martin and Theodore Bikel, with a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, The Sound of Music is a beloved musical that tells the story of a young postulant who leaves her convent to become governess to the seven children of a widowed naval captain in Austria. The narrative blends heartfelt family moments, musical performances, and historical backdrop into a timeless tale that continues to resonate with audiences.

NBC’s live presentation aims to capture the theatrical immediacy of the stage while taking advantage of television’s reach. The production is executive produced by Neil Meron and Craig Zadan, veterans of large-scale live musical events, and is produced by Universal Television. Direction is shared by Beth McCarthy-Miller and Rob Ashford, who serve as co-directors to bring both stage and screen sensibilities to the broadcast.

Producers and directors have emphasized the challenge and excitement of staging a full-length musical live for television: balancing choreography, musical performance, and dramatic storytelling in real time. Casting young actors to embody the von Trapp children was a crucial step in achieving an authentic family ensemble. The selected cast is expected to bring youthful energy and solid performances to scenes ranging from intimate family interactions to larger musical numbers.

The Sound of Music Live! represents NBC’s continued investment in live musical events and family-oriented programming. With a high-profile lead in Carrie Underwood, an experienced supporting cast, and a freshly cast group of children at its heart, the production seeks to honor the musical’s legacy while offering viewers a new, live interpretation of a story many generations know and love. Audience anticipation is high as viewers look forward to seeing how this televised staging recreates the charm, emotion and musicality of the original stage classic.