Jay Armstrong Johnson, last seen on Broadway as Chip in On the Town, joins the company of The Phantom of the Opera beginning April 30 in the role of Raoul, the vicomte vying for the heart of innocent soprano Christine.
Johnson is the 19th actor to officially take over the role of Raoul on Broadway. He succeeds Rodney Ingram, who played his final performance April 28.
Johnson joins a cast that includes Ben Crawford in the title role, Ali Ewoldt as Christine, Laird Mackintosh as Monsieur André, Craig Bennett as Monsieur Firmin, Raquel Suarez Groen as Carlotta, Carlton Moe asPiangi, Maree Johnson as Madame Giry, and Kara Klein as Meg Giry. At certain performances, Kaley Ann Voorhees plays the role of Christine.
Johnson made his Broadway debut in the revival of Hair; he has also been seen on Broadway in Catch Me If You Can and Hands on a Hardbody. Off-Broadway, he most recently appeared in the world premiere of Terence McNally’s Fire and Air, as well as Wild Animals You Should Know, Working, and The Mad Ones. His additional credits include Candide with New York City Opera and Sweeney Todd with New York Philharmonic.
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The Phantom of the Opera, directed by Harold Prince, is produced by Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Group, features a score by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Charles Hart (with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe), and a book by Stilgoe and Lloyd Webber.
