Broadway's Phantom of the Opera Announces Principal Cast Changes

Producers Cameron Mackintosh and the Really Useful Group have announced principal cast changes for the long-running Broadway production of The Phantom of the Opera.

Beginning the week of November 19, Kaley Ann Voorhees (Prince of Broadway) will assume the role of Christine, taking over for Ali Ewoldt, who plays her final performance on Saturday evening, November 17. Voorhees is currently the Christine alternate, a role she's played off and on for several engagements since her Phantom and Broadway debut in September 2014. Eryn LeCroy will succeed Voorhees as the Christine alternate in her Broadway debut.

Also joining the company and making her Broadway debut will be Kelsey Connolly, joining as ballerina Meg Giry. Her debut performance will be Tuesday evening, November 20. Connolly officially succeeds Kara Klein, who made her Phantom debut with the national tour in January 2001 as a member of the Ballet Chorus and moved to Broadway in March 2005. Klein played her final performance on Saturday, June 23. Since that date, the role has been played by Polly Baird and Jessica Bishop (currently playing the role through Monday evening, November 19).

Continuing in their starring roles are Ben Crawford as the Phantom and Jay Armstrong Johnson as Raoul, with costars Laird Mackintosh as Monsieur André, Craig Bennett as Monsieur Firmin, Raquel Suarez Groen as Carlotta, Maree Johnson as Madame Giry, and Carlton Moe as Piangi.

Based on the classic novel Le Fantôme de L'Opéra by Gaston Leroux, The Phantom of the Opera tells the story of a masked figure who lurks beneath the catacombs of the Paris Opera House, exercising a reign of terror over all who inhabit it. He falls madly in love with an innocent young soprano, Christine, and devotes himself to creating a new star by nurturing her extraordinary talents and by employing all of the devious methods at his command.

Directed by Harold Prince, the show features music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Charles Hart with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe, and a book by Richard Stilgoe and Webber. The musical is celebrating a milestone 30 years on Broadway, having opened at the Majestic Theatre on January 26, 1988.