Wanna be Maria von Trapp?

Hundreds of women in Toronto did, and they auditioned downtown Friday for the chance to play the famous nanny in a stage revival of “The Sound of Music.”

“How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?” is CBC-TV and Mirvish Productions’ Canadian spin-off of the hit British series masterminded by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The Canadian version’s reality search kicked off Friday, with the Maria hopefuls putting their vocal cords to the test at CBC’s Toronto broadcast centre.

About 400 women pre-registered for the Toronto try-outs, but the series’ producers say many more are expected to show up over the next two days.

The winner “has to have a really beautiful voice, a voice you want to listen to,” casting director Stephanie Gorin told CBC News.

Star quality is important as well: “There has to be something about this girl, that you want to root for her,” said Gorin.

“It’s someone that has to be really likeable, with a carefree spirit, a sense of fun … [a sense] that you’re gonna love this girl up on stage.”

The eight-part series will also hold auditions in Montreal, Calgary, Vancouver, Halifax, Winnipeg and St. John’s over the next two weeks.

The judges will choose 50 finalists, who are sent to “Maria School” to be trained in acting, singing and movement.

The 50 are then whittled down to 10, who will appear live on air this summer. TV viewers will eliminate those contestants until only one is left.

The winner will start rehearsing with a professional ensemble in August, before starring in the upcoming Toronto production of the musical.

The show is expected to open in October, and the winner will play Maria for at least one year.






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