Carrie Underwood to star in 'Sound of Music'

Carrie Underwood will star in NBC's live broadcast of "The Sound of Music" late next year, The Associated Press reports.

The network says the former "American Idol" champion and Grammy-winning country star will play Maria von Trapp in a live, three-hour performance based on the musical. It will air around the holidays in 2013.

The role is Underwood's most significant work as an actress yet. She played a small part in the 2011 film "Soul Surfer" and has served as co-host of the Country Music Association Awards for five years.

In von Trapp, she's tackling a beloved character whose popularity has endured for decades. The Rodgers & Hammerstein musical debuted on Broadway in 1959, and the 1965 film starring Julie Andrews won the best picture Academy Award.

Now on tour, Underwood performed Friday night at Nassau Coliseum.