Ben Crawford is Broadway's next Phantom of the Opera

The Broadway production of The Phantom of the Opera welcomes Ben Crawford to the title role from April 16, 2018.

Broadway's longest-running show of all time The Phantom of the Opera, which recently celebrated 30 years on the Great White Way, is set to welcome Ben Crawford to the titular role at the Majestic Theatre from April 16, 2018. Current cast member and platinum-selling Swedish recording artist Peter Jöback is set to play his final performance as The Phantom on March 31, 2018. In the interim period, from April 2 to 15, the role will be covered by principal cast member Laird Mackintosh.

Mr. Crawford has previously appeared on the Great White Way in On the Twentieth Century, Big Fish, Les Misérables, as the title role in Shrek The Musical, and, most recently, as Mr. Salt in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

The current principal cast of The Phantom of the Opera includes Peter Jöback (as The Phantom), Ali Ewoldt (as Christine Daaé), Rodney Ingram (as Raoul), Laird Mackintosh (as Monsieur André), Craig Bennett (as Monsieur Firmin), Raquel Suarez Groen (as Carlotta), Carlton Moe (as Piangi), Maree Johnson (as Madame Giry), and Kara Klein (as Meg Giry). Kayley Ann Voorhees continues as the production's alternate Christine Daaé.

Directed by Harold Prince, The Phantom of the Opera officially opened at the Majestic Theatre on January 26, 1988, following previews from January 9, and went on to sweep the 1988 Tony Awards, winning seven categories including "Best Musical".

The Phantom of the Opera features music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Lyrics by Charles Hart (with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe) and a book by Richard Stilgoe and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

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."

The musical features scenic design by the late Maria Björnson, lighting design by Andrew Bridge and sound design by Martin Levan. Musical staging and choreography is by Gillian Lynne. Orchestrations are by David Cullen and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The Phantom of the Opera Tickets are available now for performances through to September 2, 2018.