Janna Polzin may have been runner-up in the CBC reality TV contest How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?, but she will still take to the stage as Maria in The Sound of Music.
Polzin has been cast as understudy for the role of Maria in the Toronto production of the beloved musical, producers Andrew Lloyd Webber, David Ian and David Mirvish announced Wednesday.
Elicia Mackenzie of Vancouver, who won the CBC reality TV show, will star as Maria on stage six times a week.
But Polzin will perform the role twice a week — on Wednesday evenings and Saturday matinees.
Mackenzie of Vancouver was chosen by Canadian viewers as the best actress to play Maria von Trapp from a group of 10 finalists. Polzin came second.
Polzin, originally from Woodstock, Ont., will also fill in if Mackenzie can't perform because of illness or other unforeseen circumstances.
"As it has been said many times, Maria is among the biggest roles in musical theatre," said Lloyd Webber, the British producer of the stage and reality TV show and creator of musicals such as Phantom of the Opera and Cats.
"It is a very demanding role, with Maria on stage in almost every scene," he said. "This schedule reflects the challenging nature of this role. Best of all, the schedule allows us to welcome to the company the very talented Janna."
Polzin, 25, a graduate of Sheridan's Music Theatre Performance Program, said she loved The Sound of Music when she was a child, often re-enacting it with her sister.
The Sound of Music begins preview performances on Oct. 3, and officially opens on Oct. 15 at the Princess of Wales theatre in Toronto.
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