The production will launch at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, under the auspices of the Center Theatre Group, and will then tour North America for multiple seasons, playing multi-week and week-long engagements.

The production will also feature choreography by Danny Mefford, set design by Douglas Schmidt, costume design by Jane Greenwood, lighting design by Natasha Katz and sound design by Ken Travis.

The cast is yet to be announced.

The Sound of Music has music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, and is suggested by "The Trapp Family Singers" by Maria Augusta Trapp.

Director O'Brien stated, "The Sound of Music has been in our ears for decades, as it deserves to be. But it might be time to look once more, and more closely, at this remarkable work which, I feel, begins to reveal itself as deeper, richer, and more powerful than ever. It’s no longer ‘your mother’s’ familiar Sound of Music. We are tearing off the varnish of the past from one of the great glories of our theatergoing experience and making it fresh! This is an opportunity we’ve all longed to create!” O'Brien's Broadway credits include Hairspray, The Coast of Utopia, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and this season's It's Only a Play.

Ted Chapin, president and executive director of Rodgers & Hammerstein: An Imagem Company, added, "The Sound of Music continues to be the world’s most beloved musical. When a major national tour was suggested, I not only agreed, but was willing to roll up my sleeves and do whatever I could to fashion a new stage production that would re-engage today’s theatergoing public. The show was originally created for Broadway, and seeing it on stage only reinforces the power of the story and the score. And with Jack O’Brien at the directorial helm – well, we simply couldn’t do better. Landing somewhere between The Coast of Utopia and Hairspray (shows for which Jack won the Tony), his production will be smart, focused, and surprising. I can’t wait."

Initial tour dates follow:

Boise, ID, Sept 14 – 16, 2015, Morrison Center – Tech rehearsals and tour previews

Los Angeles, Sept 20 – Oct 31, Ahmanson Theater – Official Tour Launch

Charlotte, NC, Nov 24 – 29, Blumenthal Performing Arts Center

Durham, NC,  Dec 1 – 6, Durham Performing Arts Center

Baltimore, Dec 8 – 13, Hippodrome Theatre

Tampa, FL, Dec 22 – 27, Straz Center

Miami, Dec 29 – Jan 3, 2016, Arsht Center

Orlando, FL, Jan 5 – 10, Dr. Phillips Center

Ft. Myers, FL, Jan 12 – 17, Barbara B. Mann Hall

Columbus, OH, Jan 26 – 31,  Ohio Theater

Madison, WI, Feb 2 – 7, Overture Center

East Lansing, MI, Feb 9 – 14, Wharton Center

Houston, Feb 16 – 21, The Hobby Center

Austin, TX, Feb 23 – 28, Bass Hall

Atlanta, Mar 1 – 6, Fox Theater

Providence, RI, Mar 9 – 13, Providence Performing Arts Center

Philadelphia, Mar 15 – 20, Kimmel Center

Pittsburgh, PA , Mar 22 – 27, Benedum Center

Boston, Mar 29 – Apr 10, Boston Opera House

Ottawa, ONT, Apr 12 – 17, National Arts Centre

Greenville, SC, Apr 20 – 24, Peace Center

St. Louis, MO, Apr 26 – May 8, Fox Theater

Detroit, May 10 – 22, Fisher Theatre

Denver, June 21 – 26, Buell Theatre

Costa Mesa, CA, Jul 19 – 31, Segerstrom Center for the Arts

For more information visit TheSoundOfMusicOnTour.com.