Andrew Lloyd Webber has also created a new joint venture with Antonio Banderas to create new, high quality Spanish language productions for Hispanic audiences, with a new production of The Phantom of the Opera set to open in Spain soon. It really took me being in the show and learning the music and seeing other people do all these other songs to realize how genius it is, she said. The production has grossed a staggering $1.3 billion. Thank you to everyone who has helped celebrate 34 years of #PhantomBroadway ! The Majestic Theatre, the best musical house on Broadway, has finally been freed up after nearly four decades. Based on Gaston Lerouxs 1910 novel, The Phantom of the Opera, the musical follows the story of The Phantom, a mysterious composer who haunts the Paris Opera House, and his muse, up-and-coming opera-star Christine Daa. She is beyond thankful to have been a part of the Phantom Phamily for so many years! . | There have been 16 Phantoms of the Opera on Broadway from Michael Crawford, who originated the role, to Ben Crawford (no relation), who will ring down the curtain, after an unprecedented 35 . And whatever problems they have out on the street and in their daily lives, they come in here and it's like a little kid tripping on a fairy tale or something. Logan Culwell-Block Due to the expansive nature of Off-Broadway, this list is not comprehensive. Copyright 1991-2023 Playbill Inc. All Rights Reserved. Seth Sklar-Heyn (our production . Actor Richard Poole says the closing is bittersweet. IE 11 is not supported. PHANTOM is also currently playing in Japan, Greece and Sweden, and has productions opening this month in South Korea and Prague, as well as its highly anticipated premiere in Italy this July. Michael Patrick Smith CBE (born 19 January 1942), known professionally as Michael Crawford, is an English actor, comedian, and singer.. Crawford is best known for playing both the hapless Frank Spencer in the sitcom Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em and the title role in the musical The Phantom of the Opera.His acclaimed performance in the latter earned him both the Laurence Olivier Award for Best . Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images The production also features musical staging and choreography by Gillian Lynne, scenic and costume design by Maria Bjrnson, lighting design by Andrew Bridge, and sound design by Martin Levan with Caddick as music director. The ensemblefeatures Giselle Alvarez, Polly Baird, Janinah Burnett, Xiaoxiao Cao, David Michael Garry, Chris Georgetti, Kelly Jeanne Grant, Katharine Heaton, Satomi Hofmann, Ted Keegan, Kfir, Kelly Loughran, Scott Mikita, Greg Mills, Justin Peck, Patricia Phillips, Richard Poole, Jessica Radetsky, Janet Saia, Paul A. Schaefer, Carly Blake Sebouhian, Jeremy Stolle, Carrington Vilmont, Jim Weitzer, Elizabeth Welch and Erica Wong. The Phantom of the Opera has been performed in 15 languages and was the first musical to gross over $6 billion. Crawford has been out of the show since April 1st. Endless thanks to Denny and Seth, as well as her amazing family. As a full recovery is expected in the coming days, Ben and The Phantom Company had hoped he'd be able to return for the closing performance. Musical supervision and direction is by David Caddick and orchestrations are by David Cullen and Andrew Lloyd Webber. It looks as if the cast has stayed the same as before but Im going crazy trying to find info on Bens understudy. This year is the musical's 34th anniversary on Broadway. Last Fall's closing announcement instantly resulted in sold out performances and lines around the block of The Majestic Theatre, in advance of the final performance, which will be its colossal 13,981st. Regional: Kennedy Center, Long Wharf Theatre, Goodspeed, PCLO, Casa Maana, MUNY. As much a part of the city landscape as the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty, The Phantom of the Opera has long been a New York City landmark. I mean, it is me singing. Phantom marks Bens sixth Broadway show and he is beyond grateful to be able to jump into this iconic role. Ben Crawford currently plays the Phantom and Emilie Kouatchou is Christine Daa. Just feeling the weight, but also like I was covered by something bigger than myself.. 100 Reasons Why You Should Visit Disneyland Resort California This Year. Ben Crawford (Stage Actor): his birthday, what he did before fame, his family life, fun trivia facts, popularity rankings, and more. In fact, Shubert chair Bob Wankel wanted the Majestic for the upcoming musical Some Like It Hot, but was reluctant to give Phantom the boot. Andrew Lloyd Webber's romantic, haunting and soaring score includes "The Music of the Night," "All I Ask of You," "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again," "Masquerade" and the iconic title song. He was really adamant about making sure that Christine felt like me, and that I didnt have to put on any sort of airs that I thought an ingenue character had to be or a Christine had to be, she said. I remember feeling a lot of support from the audience. Phantom, sources said, has struggled to recover since it reopened in October 2021 following the pandemic closure, and is losing some $1 million a month. Crawford currently stars as The Phantom, and Connolly previously played Meg Giry in the long . The Phantom of the Opera, Broadways longest-running show, will close this winter, multiple sources told The Post. and our The leads of New York, New York tell us how starring in Broadways newest Kander and Ebb musical was a chance to learn from some of the greats of the American theatre. If you caught the travel bug but you don't know where to go, here's a list of countries open for travel now to help you determine where your next adventure will take place! Save up on your adventure with Klooks best deal on car rentals, hotels, and attractions, 10 Disneyland California Souvenirs You Have to Take Home. And holy moly, I've been there 33 and a half years." Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. You'll also learn about getting an International Driver's License and tips on driving on the left side of the road! At certain performances, Julia Udine plays the role of 'Christine.'. Youre not going to get the same cookie-cutter character and I think thats the exciting part of Phantom, too. Sara Esty takeson the role of Meg Giry. Emilie Kouatchou (left) and Ben Crawford in Broadway's "Phantom of the Opera." Matthew Murphy. Guests ages 18+ must present a valid government-issued ID. The musical is the longest-running show on Broadway, celebrating 34 years last month. John Riddle as "Raoul", Ben Crawford as "The Phantom" and Emilie Kouatchou as "Christine" take the curtain call at The 34th Anniversary Performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Phantom of The Opera . Known for its stellar music and stage production, Phantom of the Opera has won seven Tony Awards including best musical and was made into a major motion picture starring Emmy Rossum as Christine in 2004. Phantom continues to play in London at Her Majestys Theatre soon to be renamed His Majestys Theatre following the death of Queen Elizabeth II and recently had some of its original staging revised. ", So, Phantom is going out with a bang it's been selling out again. Ben Crawford stars with Meghan Picerno as Christine and John Riddle as Raoul. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Former cast member Laird Mackintosh has a long history with the show, stretching back to the Toronto production from 1993 for 5 years (3 of them . Please consider supporting us bywhitelisting playbill.com with your ad blocker.Thank you! She felt pressure to live up to the role, yet also taken care of at the same time. Scan this QR code to download the app now. November 09, 2019. While Broadway prepares to bid farewell, The Phantom of the Opera continues to play around the world. "I simply don't know how I'll feel on the morning of the 17th of April," Caddick says. As with many other shows, ticket sales for "Phantom" lagged when Broadway reopened after COVID-19. Ben Crawford and Kaley Ann Voorhees Matthew Murphy. As The Phantom of the Opera ends its record-breaking run today on Broadway, the original Phantom, Michael Crawford shared a tribute to the show Watch a special, surprise curtain call presentation with leading lady Emilie Kouatchou, joined onstage by three iconic, former Broadway Christines: Sierra Boggess (25th Anniversary), Ali Ewoldt (30th Anniversary) and the original Angel of Music herself: original London and New York star Sarah Brightman. Lloyd Webber also put on an unsuccessful sequel, called Love Never Dies, in London in 2010 that toured but never made it to Broadway. Meghan Picerno and Ben Crawford in "The Phantom of the Opera", This production ended its run on April 16, 2023, You Pick the Nominees! Andrew Lloyd Webbers musical plans to play through the holidays, and then cap off its storied run on Feb. 18. Just make sure to allow enough time to get back to your seat before Act II! She has toured the country with An American in Paris and Phantom. Were going on a long scenic drive from Las Vegas to Phoenix, Arizona! Current Phantom of the Opera star Ben Crawford will be out of the show for the final Broadway performance. Copyright 1991-2023 Playbill Inc. All Rights Reserved. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. Just like the Phantom, we all have to mask up! This Epic 5-Day Road Trip from Las Vegas to Los Angeles Should Be Your Next Adventure, See Californias most iconic sights while driving from Las Vegas to Los Angeles with this road trip guide! The Phantom of the Opera. Producer Cameron Mackintosh says Phantom was losing money, even before the pandemic. Explore New York with These Bike Rentals, Tours, and Trails! The stats are absolutely staggering since it opened on Broadway in January of 1988, Phantom has played almost 14,000 performances to audiences of over 20 million, grossing over $1.3 billion. Checking In With London The Phantom of the Opera Star Lucy St. Louis. I always love to research understudies just in case the lead is not performing. The Phantom, a mysterious character who inhabits the rafters, sabotages the ongoing operato get what he wants from the new owners. Ben Crawford plays the Phantom and Emilie Kouatchou plays Christine in "The Phantom of the Opera" on Broadway. May 1, 2023. From two current residents of Camelot to two Evan Hansens, Playbill raises the curtain for Broadway's brightest born in May. New director, slimmer set, more projections. 5% off your 1st booking with code BetterOnApp, Earn Klook credits to save on future bookings, Nearly half a million activities - just taps away. What is The Phantom Of The Opera about? He played the lead role of The Phantom in the Broadway production of The Phantom of the Opera for five years.. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has played to over 145 million people in 41 countries and 183 cities in 17 languages. The musical is the longest-running show on Broadway . Sign up for reopening news, announcements, and exclusive discounts on tickets to your favorite shows! When he read Gaston Leroux's novel, he found the vehicle and collaborated with Richard Stilgoe and Charles Hart on the adaptation, directed by Hal Prince. During its New York run, PHANTOM shattered every possible record for advance sales, capitalization, total gross, total attendance and longevity. "It's given me the ability to have security, to plan ahead," says Poole. Crawford currently stars as The Phantom, and Connolly previously played Meg Giryin the long-running Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. He made his Broadway debut in 2006 in Les Misrables as the understudy for Jean Valjean and Javert. Cameron Mackintosh and Lloyd Webber's The Really Useful Group serve as producers. Stage Actor. The temptation might be to inflect up (but) its OK for her to have a more grounded lower voice if thats true to me. Essential MoMA: Klooks Guide to New Yorks Famed Museum of Modern Art. Please note, this sub does not allow any bootleg or sales posts/requests. Ben Crawford (born May 22, 1982) is an American singer and stage actor from Tucson, Arizona. Davis' Death of a Salesman co-star Wendell Pierce hosted a screening and talkback for the new film. May 1, 2023, By The theater that new show is currently going into, the Shubert, has about 350 fewer seats. An estimated 6,500 people have been employed by the production including over 400 actors and it takes a cast, orchestra and crew of 125 to put on the show. The Phantom Of The Opera takes place in the decadent Paris Opera House where the Phantom - a man ashamed of his physical appearance - hides from the real world in the darkness of the theatre. Im hoping to set a date for the exciting post covid experience of seeing phantom in November. Bring home some of the magic from Disneyland California! Kouatchou opens up about taking over a historic role and the significance of Black representation on Broadway. Ben Crawford Fans Also Viewed . 10 Best Theme Parks In Orlando To Visit For An Action-Packed Holiday. Music supervisor and conductor David Caddick has been around since the very beginning he was music director for a staged reading on Andrew Lloyd Webber's estate back in 1984. Unaware of Christine's love for Raoul, The Phantom's obsession sets the scene for a dramatic turn of events where jealousy, madness and passions collide. Kouatchou a Chicago native and University of Michigan graduate unsuccessfully auditioned for the musical twice before landing a role as the understudy. It marked the milestone by debuting its first Black Christine on Broadway, played by Emilie Kouatchou. The terrifically fun London Palladium revival of his Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has New York in its sights after it plays Torontos Princess of Wales Theatre this winter. The Ensemble features Giselle O. Alvarez, Polly Baird, Janinah Burnett, Xiaoxiao Cao, Kanisha Marie Feliciano, David Michael Garry, Chris Georgetti, Kelly Jeanne Grant, Satomi Hofmann, Ayaka Kamei, Ted Keegan, Kfir, Kelly Loughran, Scott Mikita, Greg Mills, Trista Moldovan, Justin Peck, Richard Poole, Lindsay Roberts, Janet Saia, Paul Adam Schaefer, Carly Blake Sebouhian, Jeremy Stolle, Carrington Vilmont, Jim Weitzer, Elizabeth Welch and Erica Wong. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. The longest-running Broadway show of all time, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA will play its final New York performance at The Majestic Theatre today, Sunday, April 16 at 5PM, after a record-breaking 35 years and 13,981 performances to 20 million people. Note: Laird Mackintosh played the Phantom at the final performance on Sunday, April 16, filling in for Crawford who was ill.] Like other Phantoms before him, he has a special relationship with the Phans who've visited the show over and over. But the point is, I think that they escape from reality for a couple of hours and in a romantic world. It is directed by the late Harold Prince. Keeping this in mind grounds Kouatchou and informs her purpose-driven life and career. Im learning to take things as they come and realize that my journey is going to happen when it needs to happen. I try and bring myself to her as much as I can even in just the inflection of my voice, something as simple as that. Produced by Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Group, The Phantom of the Opera has been the longest-running show in Broadway history for well over a decade, and its astounding longevity in New York and around the world is unprecedented. With a book by Richard Stilgoe and Andrew Lloyd Webber, music by Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Charles Hart,The Phantom of the Operais based on the novelLe Fantme de L'Opraby Gaston Leroux. California dreamin? The Broadway staging of the London-originated show won seven 1988 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The Phantom is played by Ben Crawford. It became the longest-running show in Broadway history on January 9, 2006 - when it surpassed the nearly 18-year run of Cats - another Andrew Llyod Webber musical, also produced by Cameron Mackintosh -and has since almost doubled that figure. 3' review: A grotesque, exhausting adventure, Kudos to Steven Spielberg for speaking out against wacko censorship, 'New York, New York' review: Broadway musical can't make it here, anywhere, 'Summer, 1976' review: Laura Linney, Jessica Hecht a perfect pair on B'way, 'Good Night, Oscar' review: Sean Hayes stars in off-key Broadway play, terrifically fun London Palladium revival. Webber does an amazing job of creating these specific characters, who, as an actor, you can also just embody them differently. Check out this. Following the industry-wide shut down due to the Covid pandemic, the Broadway production reopened on October 22, 2021 with an outdoor block party that made headlines around the world. I remember feeling like, OK, no matter what happens, the people out there have me and the people backstage have me and are supporting me. I remember it being a whirlwind and being extremely tired by the end, ready to drop. Lloyd Webbers lush songs (with lyrics by Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe), Harold Princes innovative staging, Gillian Lynnes balletic choreography and the lavish set and costume designs by Maria Bjrnson are seared into the minds of generations of theatergoers. He will give his final performance on Saturday night his 9,382nd. hide caption, 25 Years Strong, 'Phantom Of The Opera' Kills And Kills Again, Not My Job: We Quiz T-Pain On 'The Phantom Of The Opera'. Widely considered one of the most beautiful and spectacular productions in history, the blockbuster phenomenon set the bar with its lavish sets and costumes, large cast and Broadway's largest orchestra - a perfect match for its sumptuous score and classic love story. [Ed. Cameron Mackintosh's other reimagined production of The Phantom of the Opera has broken box office records across the UK and the U.S., most recently at the Sydney Opera House in Australia, and will open in Vienna in 2024. Photo by Ted McGrath. This story has been shared 185,893 times. Sara Esty joins the company as Meg Giry. Broadway's longest-running show ever, The Phantom of the Opera, took its final Broadway bow today, April 16, 2023 after an unprecedented 35-year run and 13,981 performances. Any clue as to who it might be? John Riddle as Raoul, Laird Mackintosh as the Phantom and Emilie Kouatchou as Christine, take a bow at the end of the final performance of the Phantom of the Opera at the Majestic Theater in New York City on April 16, 2023. Advertisement. ThePhantom of the Opera marked Connolly's Broadway debut, but Crawford is a bonafide veteran, having appeared in Shrek The Musical,Les Misrables, Big Fish, On The Twentieth Century, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in addition to his extended tenure as the titular Phantom. In celebration of Black history, Kouatchou sat down with TODAY to discuss disrupting an industry set in its ways and the significance of Black representation on Broadway, especially in predominately white musicals and plays. The entertainment industry at large has struggled with diversity and representation, especially Broadway. you have to do what sets you apart. . The Phantom of the Opera's running time is 150 minutes long (or roughly 2 hours and 30 minutes) with an intermission between both acts so you can stretch your legs, or grab some snacks! Jay Armstrong Johnson and Kaley Ann Voorhees, By But shes at peace with how things unfolded. The cast is led by Ben Crawford as The Phantom, Meghan Picerno as Christine and John Riddle as Raoul . Leah Putnam On Sunday night, April 16, the curtain will fall on the longest-running show in Broadway history. Were in a period of intense change in this industry, and Im just happy that I could be a part of that change.. Avery Brunkus. "They saw that I had dinosaurs in my room," he says, "because when I play with my kids on FaceTime, my son loves dinosaurs, so they 3D printed this velociraptor that's, like, in a tuxedo with a phantom mask. Lin-Manuel Miranda. Stage Actors. Longtime Phantom Laid Mackintosh will step into the role this evening. "I was very keen to write something which was a high romance at the time, having done Evita and having done Cats and various things, which didn't let me go in that direction at all," Lloyd Webber recalled in 2013, for the show's 25th anniversary on Broadway. Crawford has been out of the show since April 1st. The three original U.S. national tours combined grossed over $1.5 billion, playing 216 engagements in 77 cities for an unprecedented total of 36.5 years and over 14,500 performances to 31 million people - making it the most successful and continuously-touring show in U.S. history. She said it can be difficult to assume a historic role people are familiar with, while still making it feel like its hers. . The high notes particularly in the title song can be hard to sustain throughout the two and a half hour long show. Ben has also starred in over twenty regional theatre productions ranging from Che in Evita (Studio Tenn), Starbuck in 110 in the Shade (Ford's Theatre), Luther Billis in South Pacific (Ogunquit . Also joining the production in her Broadway debut is Emilie Kouatchou, who plays the role of Christine Daa at certain performances. This year is the musical's 34th anniversary on Broadway. 1. Feb. 19, 2022, 3:01 AM PST. Find out which is the perfect one for you! The Phantom of the Opera has music by Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Charles Hart (with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe), and a book by Stilgoe and Lloyd Webber. There are plans for some surprises at the final curtain call. And a revamped Broadway version of the composers musical Cinderella at the Imperial Theatre will be announced as soon as next week. Watch the complete curtain call fromtoday's final curtain call of The Phantom of the Opera. . The long-running musical resumes performances at the Majestic Theatre on October 22, marking its first show since the theater shutdown in March 2020. 100 of the Best Disney Souvenirs To Complement Your Mickey Mouse Ears. But the musical got a massive box-office boost when Mackintosh and Webber announced its closing . Former cast member Laird Mackintosh has a long history with the show, stretching back to the Toronto production from 1993 for 5 years (3 of them as Raoul and covering The Phantom). This is a remake of a video that I made and posted a couple of months back comparing the way Ben Crawford sounded in 2018 vs. 2023.This time around I used the earliest recording of Ben that is currently circulating, which comes from his second ever performance in the role on April 17, 2018 - and comparing it to the most recent recording of Ben from his final performance on the evening of April 1, 2023.The audio quality of the 2018 recording is cleaner this time around - all the same moments that were compared in the previous video are used here. Stage Actor. The original Broadway cast featured Michael Crawford, Sarah Brightman, Judy Kaye, and the late Steve Barton. Cookie Notice Check out our list of must-see exhibits in the MoMA, perfect for both art connoisseurs and casual appreciators! Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, the longest-running show in Broadway history, resumes performances October 22 at the Majestic Theatre. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. The longest-running show on Broadway, The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber, is a classic and definitely a must-see for any musical-theater fan. Dylan Parent Check out a portrait of the final cast, crew, orchestra, and staff here! In an era when Hollywood actors are dominant on Broadway, preferring strictly limited runs that give them career options and flexibility, 9,382 performances may endure as something more than a world record. Broadway's groundbreaking musical "Phantom of the Opera" has once again made history. Heres a List of Countries Open for Travel Now! So, last September, he and Andrew Lloyd Webber announced a final date. The musical also changed the landscape for touring across the country - inspiring the renovation of theaters and opera houses across the country to house it and revitalizing the economies of countless U.S. cities. Some even send him their own artwork. I will saythat.. They cheered when I first came on stage, the 25-year-old actor told TODAY via Zoom. A Short Guide to Booking a Klook Car Rental and Driving Abroad. Even when I did my first show as the full time Christine (Jan. 26), I remember doing Think of Me. I was really trying to center myself because I was feeling so emotional because I was thinking about all the women who have come before me who made it possible for me to be in this spot.
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