"Phantom of the Opera" is a Show Worth Seeing

Andrew Lloyd Webber's adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera is the most popular musical to hit the stage. Over 11 million people have been to see the Broadway production alone. The touring production and the London production often perform to sold-out crowds.

The Phantom of the Opera is the highest grossing show in history - topping out even movie mega hits such as Titanic and The Lord of the Rings. This probably has a little to do with the fact that Phantom of the Opera is now the longest running Broadway musical (it recently toppled Lloyd Webber's other musical sensation - CATS).

The Phantom of the Opera opened at Her Majesty's Theatre in London on October 9, 1986. It has continued to delight audiences to this day. Presently the cast includes Earl Carpenter as the Phantom, Rachael Barrell as Christine, David Shannon as Raoul, and Wendy Ferguson as Carlotta.

The musical made its way across the Atlantic in 1987 and officially opened at the Majestic Theatre on January 26, 1988. The Phantom of the Opera is now entering its 19^th year at this home. The current cast is lead by Howard McGillian as the Phantom, Jennifer Hop Willis as Christine, Michael Shawn Lewis as Raoul, and Anne Runolfusson as Carlotta.

The touring production of The Phantom of the Opera will be in Toledo at the Stranahan Theater from January 3 - 28, 2007. It will move on from there to the Des Moines' Civic Center from January 31 - February 18, 2007. From there it crosses the border into Canada and will be showcased at Toronto's The Princess of Wales Theatre starting February 21, 2007. The touring show is back in the states for the summer and will be in the US capitol at Washington's Kennedy Center beginning June 20, 2007.

The touring company has an impressive cast as well. John Cudia takes on the role of the Phantom, Marni Raab is Christine, Michael Gillis is Raoul, and Kim Stengel is Carlotta.

Andrew Lloyd Webber decided to write The Phantom of the Opera after having seen another adaptation of the musical in 1984. The music for Christine was originally composed specifically with Sarah Brightman in mind (Lloyd Webber's wife at the time).

The Phantom of the Opera is adapted from a French novel written by Gaston Leroux. It is the story of an eccentric genius that is physically deformed and living under the Opera Garnier. He becomes obsessed with a young opera singer and helps her with her voice and career with the delusion of a relationship forming between them. There is compassion, jealousy, action, and intrigue - all the elements needed to keep you riveted to the stage throughout the show.