Carrie Underwood, ‘Sound of Music': Songstress to Play Iconic Role on Live Musical Broadcast

Carrie Underwood is becoming a part of one of the world's most beloved musicals. The country superstar has signed on to appear in NBC's live broadcast of "The Sound of Music," as Maria von Trapp, the role Julie Andrews made famous in the 1965 Oscar-winning film. The exact date for the three-hour event will be announced during the holiday season next year.

"We're thrilled to be presenting the Broadway version of 'The Sound of Music' live," said producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, who are known for their work on the hit TV show,"Smash." "Having Carrie Underwood as the star brings it to a new generation who will fall in love with it for the first time as many millions of people already have. It's a particular joy to us as producers to see this amazing artist stretch into new territory with this classic musical."

"Speaking for everyone at NBC, we couldn't be happier to have the gifted Carrie Underwood take up the mantle of the great Maria von Trapp," adds the network's chairman Robert Greenblatt. "She was an iconic woman who will now be played by an iconic artist."

The story, which is set in pre-WWII Austria, premiered on Broadway in 1959, and follows the life of Maria, an aspiring nun, who becomes governess for a widower, Captain von Trapp, and his seven children. Ultimately, she falls in love with the Captain, which sparks questions about her future.

In addition to her illustrious music career, Carrie has had several acting gigs. She appeared on the TV show "How I Met Your Mother" and made her big-screen film debut in 2011's "Soul Surfer."