'The Sound of Music' Premieres in Kuala Lumpur This Month

The beloved classic is set to premiere on December 27 at Istana Budaya. Base Entertainment Asia's CEO Chantal Prudhomme tells us more about the anticipated musical in Kuala Lumpur

“Do you know why we chose The Sound of Music?” Chantal Prudhomme asks. “Because at its core, it is a story about a transcendent love that perseveres and grows even in the most difficult of times.”

No matter the medium of its portrayal, be it the musical, the film, or the whimsical opening of Edelweiss on a recorder, this world-renowned musical production is well-loved by many. And for the chief executive officer of an international entertainment company that specialises in live performances and theatre operations, it served as both a challenge and a motivator to provide only the best for Malaysian audiences as the company brings the Broadway musical to Istana Budaya’s stage on December 27.

The story, for those who are unfamiliar, depicts the tale of Maria Rainer, a young nun turned governess of the von Trapp children, who falls in love with them as she teaches them music. Along the way, the children warm up to her, eventually adoring the governess and piquing the interest—as well as disapproval—of their strict, aloof father, Captain Georg von Trapp. As the family navigates through many trials of the heart, from a daughter’s self-discovery, a father’s attempt to understand his children better, to a woman trying to find her place with her newfound family, Prudhomme explains that it parallels with our present reality.

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A scene from The Sound of Music film that was shot in 1965 (Image: Getty Images)

Above A scene from 'The Sound of Music' film shot in 1965 (Image: Getty Images)

The Sound of Music speaks of perseverance, patience, love, and joy, elements that Prudhomme hopes audiences take home with them after watching the musical, especially in a post-pandemic world.

“You can walk away [from the show] with a smile on your face; you can smile while watching the show as you sing along with the cast,” she says. “That said, with how familiar everyone is with the show, it’s paramount that we honour that nostalgia and respect the trust that our international producers have given us to run the show. Seeing as [the musical] is a huge undertaking in terms of technicality and resources, part of why we took so long with both The Phantom of the Opera in 2002 and The Sound of Music was because we needed to not only consider the venue, but its portrayal and the introduction of local cast members.”

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When asked about the inclusion of 17 young local talents, Prudhomme states that the ethnicity of a performer shouldn’t overshadow their character as well as their stories, as the musical isn't so much about them being European children, but the children of a family who are facing problems of their own in a country on the precipice of a war.

“We want people to focus on the children’s character portrayals instead of whether or not they ‘fit’ the role just because they’re not blonde-haired or blue-eyed,” she says. “It’s about the extraordinary talent onstage that brings the von Trapp children alive, and that emotional connection with the audience is amplified because you see a sense of familiarity onstage. What’s most important is their acting, singing, and dancing abilities."

The 17 Malaysian children who will be performing onstage at Istana Budaya as the von Trapp kids

Above The 17 Malaysian children who will be performing as the von Trapp kids

Announcing that a performing arts academy is in the works, Prudhomme sees the positive response from both The Sound of Music’s auditions as well as the upcoming show to be a reassuring sign that creating a platform for the abundance of talent in Malaysia puts Base Entertainment Asia in the right direction.

“Going back to the challenges of bringing big shows in with limited resources, it makes sense to create a platform that can generate said resource organically,” Prudhomme says. “You need people who can write stories, manage the productions and stage lighting, create music and perform—that’s where the academy comes in. Because if you don’t create a platform that offers opportunities, you won’t be able to grow a generation of talent. To elevate an industry of people, you need to empower them first.”

'The Sound of Music' will run at Istana Budaya from December 27 - January 15, 2023. Visit Istana Budaya's website for tickets.

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The Sound of Music Chantal Prudhomme Von Trapp Children Performance Arts Theatre Musical

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‘The Sound of Music’ Musical Opens in Kuala Lumpur This Month