Media Theatre's 'Sound of Music' has Brad Little of Broadway's 'Phantom'

The and Artistic Director Jesse Cline continue to bring in top-notch talent for well-known musicals. Joining the ranks of Emmy winner Wanda Sykes (brilliant as Miss Hannigan in last season's Annie) and Justin Guarini (an American Idol sensation who brought the house down each night in Chicago at Delaware County's only professional music theatre) is another Broadway actor during the run of The Sound of Music which opens Nov. 22 and continues through Jan. 15—Brad Little.

Brad Little has performed the role of The Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera more than 2,200 times on The Great White Way and in the national tours. Now, let me just tell you what you probably already know—the role of The Phantom requires a strong, charismatic, "shake the rafters" kind of voice. Brad Little has that type of strength and thundering baritone. As I listen to rehearsals for The Sound of Music, during which he will portray Captain von Trapp, it is completely understandable that Mr. Little would be entertaining audiences across the globe as The Phantom. Not many baritones command with this type of depth.      

Brad Little has also played the role of Raoul in Broadway’s The Phantom of the Opera at the Majestic Theatre. His other Broadway and US National Tour credits include Cyrano, Fiddler on the Roof, and Anything Goes. He won international acclaim for his rendition of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in the South Korean production of Jekyll and Hyde. He starred in the European tours of Jesus Christ Superstar as Jesus and West Side Story as Tony. He has performed leading roles in Les Miserables, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and Evita.

Due to his theatrical success, Brad Little has had the privilege to perform with many wonderful symphony orchestras around the world. He was asked by Marvin Hamlisch to perform with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra as well as the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

Brad Little will be joined by his wife Barbara McCulloh as Elsa in The Media Theatre's The Sound of Music. She is also a veteran of Broadway, with credits including The King And I as Anna and Peter Pan as Mrs. Darling. Her television credits include Law and Order: SVU, Another World, and the Hallmark Movie Channel’s In The Foxhole. Her regional credits include appearances at Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, Indiana Rep, North Carolina Theatre, North Shore, Delaware Theatre Company and The Walnut Street Theatre.

At this point, it may seem logical to include a synopsis of The Sound of Music. However, I am convinced that almost everyone reading this already knows the story. What makes this production in Media unique, is the talent. Brad and Barbara will be joined onstage with Barrymore nominated actress Elisa Matthews as Maria...but more about her in a later blog.

Tickets are now available by calling 610-891-0100 or at mediatheatre.org.