The longest-running show in Broadway history will welcome three actors to principal roles beginning June 13.
Ali Ewoldt (Les Miserables, The King and I) will join the Broadway company as its new leading lady, assuming the role of Christine Daaé; she will succeed Julia Udine, who will play her final performance June 11. Ewoldt, whose mother is from the Philippines, is the first Asian-American actress—and the first actress of color—to play Christine on Broadway, according to the show's spokesperson.
Current ensemble cast member Rachel Eskenazi-Gold will become the production’s new Christine Alternate (one of two cast members that rotate in the leading role). Eskenazi-Gold succeeds Rachel Zatcoff, whose final performance with the show will be June 11.
Continuing in their roles are James Barbour (The Phantom) and co-stars Laird Mackintosh (Monsieur André), Craig Bennett (Monsieur Firmin), Michele McConnell (Carlotta), Rebecca Eichenberger (Madame Giry), John Easterlin (Piangi) and Kara Klein (Meg Giry).
Phantom has music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Charles Hart (with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe) and a book by Richard Stilgoe and Lloyd Webber. The musical has production design by the late Maria Björnson, lighting by Andrew Bridge and sound design by Mick Potter with original sound by Martin Levan. Musical staging and choreography are by Gillian Lynne. Orchestrations are by David Cullen and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
The Tony-winning musical plays the Majestic Theatre.