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'The Sound Of Music' Helps Lyric Opera Bring In New Fans

'The Sound Of Music' Playing To Packed Audiences

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Lyric Opera is reaching out to new audiences with its latest popular musical offering: "The Sound of Music."

WBBM Newsradio's Regine Schlesinger reports the seats of the Civic Opera House have been filled with fans of the beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. While the numbers aren't in yet, it's playing to packed houses.

Actor Billy Zane, who stars as Captain Von Trapp, said the audience response is amazing.

"We've been selling out, and the love in the room is infectious," he said.

Last year, when it staged "Oklahoma," Lyric ticket sales soared.

Lyric spokeswoman Magda Krance said, of 36,000 people who attended performances of "Oklahoma," more than half had never been to the Lyric before.

"It's bringing in people who've never been into the opera house, who realize what a wonderful place this is to visit," she said.

Over the next three years, in addition to traditional operas, the Lyric will perform "Carousel," "The King and I," and "South Pacific."

"The Sound of Music" runs through May 25.

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