SHUCKED, SOME LIKE IT HOT Lead Nominations for 2023 Drama Desk Awards. Ben Crawford: Credits, Bio, News & More | Broadway World If the performance guests choose to attend is less than 14 days after their childs (age 5-11) first vaccine dose, they must also provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test. "It's given me the ability to have security, to plan ahead," says Poole. ", But even the longest running show in Broadway history has to close at some point. Sheltered from the outside world in an underground cavern, the lonely, romantic man tutors and composes operas for Christine, a gorgeous young soprano star-to-be. You'll also learn about getting an International Driver's License and tips on driving on the left side of the road! Davis' Death of a Salesman co-star Wendell Pierce hosted a screening and talkback for the new film. 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. 1. 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. Youre trying to get me to spill some Phantom secrets, she coyly responded. 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. 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 Phantom is played by Ben Crawford. 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. Just make sure to allow enough time to get back to your seat before Act II! But its really cool to compare, you know?Anyway enjoy! Please consider supporting us bywhitelisting playbill.com with your ad blocker.Thank you! In October 2021, seven plays by Black playwrights with predominately Black casts debuted. According to a representative: "Due to a bacterial infection, Video: Watch the Complete Final THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Curtain Call on Broadway, Photo: First Look at the PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Final Company Portrait, Original Phantom Star Michael Crawford Pens Tribute to Show for Closing Performance on Broadway, Video: Former Christines Share the Stage at PHANTOM Charity Performance. What Ben Crawford Does That No Other Broadway Phantom Has Directed by the late Harold Prince, the Tony-winning musical has been closed since March 2020 due to the pandemic. Planning to go to Disneyland Resort California for your next holiday? 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. This story has been shared 114,619 times. 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. We will look to maintain every element of the production through to the very last note.". First up, Phantom star Ben Crawford. November 09, 2019. Here's a list of places you can visit for your next cycle adventure in New York! Here's how to book your Disneyland tickets! Check out our list of must-see exhibits in the MoMA, perfect for both art connoisseurs and casual appreciators! Sources told The Post there will be a large bash to celebrate its 35th anniversary. Privacy Policy. Ben Crawford Biography | Broadway Buzz | Broadway.com 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. Were going on a long scenic drive from Las Vegas to Phoenix, Arizona! Broadways second-longest-running show, the revival of John Kander and Fred Ebbs Chicago, is well behind in the race, having been running 25 years and playing 10,090 performances. Sara Esty takeson the role of Meg Giry. 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 cast is led by Ben Crawford as The Phantom, Meghan Picerno as Christine and John Riddle as Raoul . On Monday, it will all be over. Photos: Ben Crawford, Emilie Kouatchou and More Star in THE PHANTOM OF She is beyond thankful to have been a part of the Phantom Phamily for so many years! 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. 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 th. you have to do what sets you apart. 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. A 2019 reportby the Actors Equity Association found that just 8% of Broadways nearly 52,000 actors and stage managers are Black. Endless thanks to Denny and Seth, as well as her amazing family. 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. Ben Crawford stars with Meghan Picerno as Christine and John Riddle as Raoul. 'Phantom of the Opera' closes after 35 years, and nearly 14,000 - NPR 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 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. Blocking belongson the stage,not on websites. hide caption, Musician Joyce Hammann has been at the show even longer than Poole: "I'm concertmaster at Phantom of the Opera, which is first violin. 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 . 'Phantom of the Opera' to close after 35 years on Broadway: sources He will give his final performance on Saturday night his 9,382nd. This haunting tale of love, light, and music with its celebrated cast and Tony award-winning music will surely make for a night that will be hard to forget. Andrew Gans Webber does an amazing job of creating these specific characters, who, as an actor, you can also just embody them differently. 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 . So, last September, he and Andrew Lloyd Webber announced a final date. Ben Crawford currently plays the Phantom and Emilie Kouatchou is Christine Daa. Current Phantom of the Opera star Ben Crawford will be out of the show for the final Broadway performance. She said what trailblazers have sacrificed for her makes her want to pay it forward by always doing her best. The singing in the musical reaches some of the highest octaves. This story has been shared 185,893 times. Guests ages 18+ must present a valid government-issued ID. Heres a List of Countries Open for Travel Now! Disney is celebrating its 100th anniversary this 2023, so here are 100 reasons why you absolutely have to go to Disneyland Resort California this year! . Ben Crawford Out Of Final Broadway Performance of PHANTOM; Laird "I think the enduring appeal is because it's so romantic and because audiences escape into it," the late director said for the 25th anniversary. Following the performance, the current Phantom, Ben Crawford, gave a speech honoring the show. Meghan Picerno and Ben Crawford in "The Phantom of the Opera", This production ended its run on April 16, 2023, You Pick the Nominees! The couple announced their engagement via tandem Instagram posts. Watch THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Star Ben Crawford Sing "The - YouTube Essential MoMA: Klooks Guide to New Yorks Famed Museum of Modern Art. Stage Actors. I still find the way his voice completely changed to sounding like a completely different person fascinating, and I mean none of that in a negative way as both are entirely valid vocal approaches to the role. | [Ed. 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. And holy moly, I've been there 33 and a half years." "This has been his home away from home," she says. Based on Gaston Lerouxs 1910 novel, Phantom of the Opera tells the story of a love triangle that blossoms after two businessmen take ownership of a haunted opera house. It tells the tale of a disfigured musical genius known only as 'The Phantom' who haunts the depths of The Paris Opera House. | 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. Sign up for reopening news, announcements, and exclusive discounts on tickets to your favorite shows! The Phantom of the Opera, for those who've never seen it, is the story of a disfigured genius who haunts the Paris Opera House, pining away for a young soprano, Christine, who's in love with a dashing count. The long-running musical resumes performances at the Majestic Theatre on October 22, . This combination has long left audiences wondering if any of the singing is prerecorded. Indeed, PHANTOM has been the largest single generator of income and jobs in Broadway and U.S. theatrical history. 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. Meet Emilie Kouatchou, Broadway's 1st Black Christine in 'Phantom of 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. The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway Ben Crawford and Ali Ewoldt with Jason Forbach as Raoul Taken during Ali's final week in the production (Taken on my pho. 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 Phantom of the Opera' extends Broadway run due to demand - CNN Emilie Kouatchou (left) and Ben Crawford in Broadway's "Phantom of the Opera." Matthew Murphy. Broadway's 'Phantom of the Opera' plots a cautious return and our A post shared by Kelsey Connolly (@kelseyhconnolly). Thats one of the reasons why its stood the test of time.. At certain performances, Julia Udine plays the role of 'Christine.'. Updated by the minute, our Dallas Cowboys NFL Tracker: News and views and moves inside The Star and around the league . Returning to lead the cast are Ben Crawford as The Phantom, Meghan Picerno as Christine Daa, and John Riddle as Raoul, with Bradley Dean as Monsieur Andr, Craig Bennett as Monsieur Firmin, Raquel Suarez Groen as Carlotta Giudicelli, Maree Johnson as Madame Giry, and Carlton Moe as Ubaldo Piangi. 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! Get Tickets to THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA: https://www.broadway.com/shows/the-phantom-of-the-opera/Watch Ben Crawford as he lends his heavenly vocals to the ic. 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. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has played to over 145 million people in 41 countries and 183 cities in 17 languages. Ben Crawford (born May 22, 1982) is an American singer and stage actor from Tucson, Arizona. Ben has also starred in over twenty regional theatre productions ranging from Che in Evita (Studio Tenn), Starbuck in 110 in the Shade (Fords Theatre), Luther Billis in South Pacific (Ogunquit Playhouse), Frederick Barrett in Titanic (MUNY) and Jud Fry in Oklahoma! Christine a young soprano starts the musical with a small role in the show within the show, but becomes the Phantoms love interest and he uses his influence to get her the lead role by any means possible. His Broadway credits includeCharlie and the Chocolate Factory(Mr. Salt), the titular character in Shrek The Musical, Big Fish (Edward Bloom u/s, Don Price), Les Misrables (Javert/Valjean u/s) and On the Twentieth Century (Bruce Granit u/s). 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. I want to take care of myself, but its so important that audiences see someone who looks like me playing Christine.. 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). The Phantom of the Operawas nominated for 10 Tony Awards in 1988 and took home seven, includingBest Musical. Ben Crawford plays the Phantom and Emilie Kouatchou plays Christine in "The Phantom of the Opera" on Broadway. Jay Armstrong Johnson and Kaley Ann Voorhees, By Ben Crawford Fans Also Viewed . The Phantom of the Opera has released an all new music video featuring the show's closing cast. During its New York run, PHANTOM shattered every possible record for advance sales, capitalization, total gross, total attendance and longevity. He played the lead role of The Phantom in the Broadway production of The Phantom of the Opera for five years.. Children aged 5-11 may enter the theater only if accompanied by a) 1. And, you know, I think people's memory now is back with people saying Phantom of the Opera is one of the great successes of all time, which is what one always prays when a great show finishes.