The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) hosted a meet-the-press event yesterday for the famous Broadway musical “The Sound of Music” at the Macau Cultural Centre (CCM) in Nape.
The event was attended by cast members Lauren Kidwell, Jill-Christine Wiley, Lauren O’Brien, and Daniel Fullerton, who play the Mother Abbess, Maria Rainer, Liesel, and Rolf Gruber respectively. The event was also attended by the show’s Executive Producer Simone Genatt.
Genatt told reporters that she has organised various show tours in Asia for many years and among them, Macau is one of her favourite cities to stage shows. She previously visited Macau in 2008 as well as in 2013 with the show “The Addam’s Family”, and expressed joy at returning to the city. She added that she loves Macau’s supportive audience, who, she pointed out, come with family members of multiple generations to watch shows together.
When asked what her favourite song from the musical is, Genatt noted that hers is “Do-Re-Mi” as she thinks whenever it is performed in the theatre, she can feel the audience’s passion for the show as they celebrate the moment with their own families by singing along.
Genatt pointed out that it is team work that makes the show so special. In terms of designing the show, she also highlighted the excellent production and technical team that can successfully adapt the shows to different circumstances and present the best show in every venue. Moreover, Genatt praised the excellence of the backstage team’s skills in making the 60 costumes for the young actors and actresses, which, she said, was a significant undertaking.
In praise of the child actors
Meanwhile, the actors said they thought that the child actors in the show are as professional as the adult actors, having to perform a whole set of eight shows a week. Genatt added that she was impressed with these young performers for having the professionalism, standards and commitment to be alongside tremendously talented performers.
Wiley also said that rather than facing challenges and difficulties when working with the young actors, she emphasised the joy and surprises that they give to the team.
Meanwhile, Kidwell said that the cast hopes to bring a fresh take on the show to the local audiences and that she looks forward to seeing them leaving the theatre with a completely new and different impression of the show. She added she hopes that the show can bring something wonderful to the audience through its well-crafted script and the beauty of this particular production.
At the end of yesterday’s press briefing, Wiley performed a short rendition of the song “Do-Re-Mi” with the child actors.
“The Sound of Music” is slated to be held at CCM from Thursday through August 22, with more details available at www.icm.gov.mo or www.ccm.gov.mo.
Executive Producer Simone Genatt (left, second row) and all the main characters of “The Sound of Music”pose during yesterday’s meet-the-press about the world-famous Broadway musical at the Macau Cultural Centre (CCM) in Nape. – Photo: Lisa Li Chi Mang
