If one of your favorite things is The Sound of Music, you won't want to miss the lush new production presented by Houston Grand Opera that's running April 26-May 12.
Starring Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard as Maria and acclaimed baritone Alexander Birch Elliott as Captain von Trapp, this production is the first time HGO has staged the perennially popular musical.
Featuring music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, with a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, the show shares the story of the von Trapp family and the novice-turned-governess Maria, who brings joy and music into their lives.
It's a co-production from HGO and The Glimmerglass Festival in upstate New York, created by legendary director Francesca Zambello.
The company’s own chorus director, Richard Bado, is at the podium, and a group of talented Houston-area youths will take on singing roles as the von Trapp children. Last fall, HGO held the largest children’s auditions in company history, during which hundreds of young singers converged upon the Wortham Theater Center in hopes of joining the cast.
To make sure everyone feels welcome at this production, HGO is introducing themed experiences for three select performances:
Military Appreciation Day, May 5 matinee (2 pm)
Veterans and active-duty service members will be honored with a pre-show national anthem performance and color guard ceremony, a theater seat reserved for our fallen soldiers, and more activities presented in partnership with groups including Vet Tix.
Veterans and active-duty service members will receive 25 percent off tickets to the musical, as well as discounted food and drink items.
Pride Night, May 11 evening (7:30 pm)
Hosted in celebration of Houston’s LGBTQIA+ community, this themed night is presented in partnership with groups including the Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, the Montrose Center, Pride 365 Houston, and Houston’s New Faces of Pride.
Audiences will enjoy a special performance from Pride Chorus Houston, themed cocktails and décor, the chance to see a historic Gilbert Baker Pride flag, and more. HGO will provide partner organizations with ticket offers to share with their members and the people they serve.
Mother's Day, May 12 matinee (2 pm)
Treat Mom to the best gift: time spent together. Audiences can commemorate the occasion with a themed photobooth, enjoy new Mother’s Day-themed brunch items and treats available for purchase, toast the mothers in attendance with a complimentary gift on egress, and more.
The performance runs two hours and 48 minutes, including one intermission. It is sung in English with projected English text.
Strong demand for tickets has led the company to add a ninth show date, so be sure to get your own tickets before the production sells out.
Tickets range from $25 to $210. For more information and to buy tickets, visit HGO.org or call the box office at 713-228-6737.
Photo by Michael Bishop
Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard is Maria.
