While Masquerade, the new, immersive staging of The Phantom of the Opera is playing Off-Broadway, a new production of the original version of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical has just launched a national tour.
Produced by Cameron Mackintosh and LW Entertainment, The Phantom of the Opera is currently making its premiere at the Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore, Maryland, through November 15. Get a first look at the new production in the gallery below. (The tour will subsequently play Minneapolis, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, and more. For the current itinerary, visit ThePhantomOfTheOpera.com.)
Isaiah Bailey leads the company in the title role with Jordan Lee Gilbert as Christine Daaé, and Daniel Lopez as Raoul, Midori Marsh as Carlotta Giudicelli, William Thomas Evans as Monsieur Firmin, Carrington Vilmont as Monsieur André, Lisa Vroman as Madame Giry, Christopher Bozeka as Ubaldo Piangi, Melo Ludwig as Meg Giry, and Alexa Xioufaridou Moster as Christine Daaé at certain performances.
They are joined by James Channing as Joseph Buquet, Carlyn Connolly as Madame Firmin, Keenan English as Hannibal’s Guard/Shepherd, David Young Fernandez as Hairdresser, Alyssa Giannetti as Page, Stanley Glover as Hannibal’s Guard/Shepherd, Matthew Griffin as Marksman, Jeremy Harr as Don Attilio, Olivia McMillan as Wild Woman, Evelyn Mê-Linh as Princess, Ben Roseberry as Auctioneer/Monsieur Reyer, Alexandria Shiner as Confidante, Dennis Shuman as Jeweler, Donovan Elliot Smith as Passarino, Stephen Tewksbury as Monsieur LeFèvre/Fire Chief, and Krista Wigle as Wardrobe Mistress. Aloria Adams, Kayla Goldsberry, Jennifer Gruener, Liv Mitchell, Eureka Nakano, and Charlotte Oceana are The Ballet Chorus of the Opéra Populaire, and Scott Mikita, Trista Moldovan, Bronson Norris Murphy, Camila Rodrigues, Lacy Sauter, and Andy Tighe are Swings.
Daniel Lopez and Jordan Lee Gilbert in The Phantom of the Opera
Isaiah Bailey and Jordan Lee Gilbert in The Phantom of the Opera
Jordan Lee Gilbert and company of The Phantom of the Opera
Melo Ludwig, Christopher Bozeka, William Thomas Evans, Midori Marsh, Daniel Lopez, Carrington Vilmont, and Lisa Vroman in The Phantom of the Opera
READ: Every Actor Who's Played the Angel of Music and Christine in Phantom of the Opera on Broadway
Bailey, recently seen in Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl, has toured the country in The Lion King and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and was seen Off-Broadway in Revelation: The Musical. Gilbert, who is making her national tour debut, has appeared in several operas, including Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro, Zerlina in Don Giovanni, and Drusilla in L’incoronazione di Poppea. Lopez’s credits include Into the Woods at the Hollywood Bowl and Hood at Asolo Rep as well as regional productions of The Light in the Piazza and West Side Story.
Featuring Maria Björnson’s original design, this new production of Phantom is based on the version currently playing London's His Majesty’s Theatre—which reopened after the COVID-19 shutdown with redesigned sets and a smaller orchestra. Both the London production and the tour are directed by Seth Sklar-Heyn, based on the original, Tony-winning direction by Harold Prince with musical staging and choreography by Gillian Lynne, recreated and adapted by Chrissie Cartwright.
Producer Mackintosh said in an earlier statement, “At long last, The Phantom is back and will soon, once again, haunt theatres across North America in the revitalized brilliant original production, which continues to be a sold-out success at His Majesty’s Theatre in London. The beating heart of Phantom has always been the love triangle entwining The Phantom, Christine, and Raoul and I am thrilled to announce that we have found three exciting and contemporary new stars to rekindle the flames of our phantastic love story."
Lloyd Webber added, “The Phantom made it very clear that it would not be long before his legend would, once again, be told in America. While Hal, Gillie, and Maria are, sadly, no longer with us, they live on in the show we all created together. Love, passion, and live theatre are what The Phantom of the Opera is all about. I still get goosebumps every time that chandelier comes alive and infuses the theatre with something that only happens when design, direction, and music are completely at one. I am absolutely delighted that we are bringing this very special production back to audiences across North America.”
With music by Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Charles Hart, and additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe, The Phantom of the Opera has a book by Stilgoe and Lloyd Webber, based on the novel Le Fantôme de l’Opera by Gaston Leroux.
The touring production also has orchestrations by David Cullen and Lloyd Webber, musical supervision by Kristen Blodgette, production design by Maria Björnson, set design adapted by Matt Kinley with associate costume design by Jill Parker, lighting design by Andrew Bridge with associate lighting design by Warren Letton, video design by George Reeve, sound design by Mick Potter, and wig and hair design by Stefan Musch. Casting is by Peter Van Dam and Claire Burke, for The TRC Company. Jovon E. Shuck leads the stage management team, which also includes Mariah Young, Kyle Dannahey, and Claire Farrokh. Dalia Ashurina is the resident director. Company management is by Justin A. Sweeney and Ryan Mayfield.
The Broadway staging of the London-originated show won seven 1988 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Previews on Broadway began January 9, 1988, with an official opening January 26. The original Broadway cast featured Michael Crawford, Sarah Brightman, Judy Kaye, and the late Steve Barton.
The Phantom of the Opera became the longest-running show in Broadway history January 9, 2006, when it surpassed the nearly 18-year run of Cats. The musical ended its record-breaking run at the Majestic April 16, 2023.
