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ANDREW Lloyd-Webber is making a reality show out of his search to find a new singing star for a revival of the stage version of "The Sound of Music."
The composer and Broadway producer has made a deal with British TV, according to the Times of London, to create an "American Idol"-type talent show to find an unknown for the role made famous by Julie Andrews.
Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson turned down the role just recently - and that's when Lloyd-Webber decided to stage a TV show to find a new star, newspaper said.
The working title for the show is "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?"
The winner of the talent show is promised at least a three-month run in the lead role in the $7.5-million revival beginning next fall at the London Palladium theater.
As is the case with a lot of successful London show, it could move to Broadway if the show does well.
"We think this could be an interesting way of casting someone who is not known yet but who has enormous talent and we hope it will break new ground," David Ian, Lloyd-Webber's co-producer, told the Times. - Post staff writer
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