Phantom: Sierra Boggess and Norm Lewis to join Cast

The Phantom of the Opera, Broadway's longest-running show of all time, is to welcome two new cast members from 12 May 2014. Broadway star Sierra Boggess will reprise her role as 'Christine' and Tony Award nominee Norm Lewis will take on the role of 'The Phantom'. This will not be the first time the pair have appeared together on stage, as they portrayed the father-daughter relationship between King Triton and Ariel in Disney's 'The Little Mermaid' at Broadway's Lunt-Fontanne Theatre from 2007 to 2009.

The show's producer, Cameron Mackintosh, stated: 'Having worked with Norm since the 90s, when he played John in 'Miss Saigon' on Broadway, and then Javert on Broadway in 'Les Miserables' in 2006, I couldn't be more thrilled that he is now joining PHANTOM, matched with Sierra - one of the finest Christines ever! It's hard to imagine a more exciting pairing, as the show continues its phenomenal, history-making run at The Majestic.'

The show's composer, Andrew Lloyd Webber, added: 'This is wonderful news! I can't wait to see Sierra Boggess and Norm Lewis perform together as Christine and Phantom. Broadway audiences are in for a treat!'

Sierra Boggess earned critical acclaim for her earlier outings as Christine in both London's 25th Anniversary production at the Royal Albert Hall and Broadway's 25th Anniversary cast last year. She also played the role of 'Christine' in the sequel to Phantom, 'Love Never Dies' in the West End from 2010 to 2011. Her other Broadway credits include the leading role in Disney's 'The Little Mermaid' (2007) and 'Master Class' (2011).

Norm Lewis returns to Broadway after his 2012 Tony Award nomination for his performance as Porgy in 'The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess'. His other Broadway credits include 'Sondheim on Sondheim' (2010), 'Les Miserables' (2006), 'Chicago' (2004) and 'The Who's Tommy' (1993).

The most successful stage musical of all time, the Cameron Mackintosh/Really Useful Group, Inc. production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, directed by Harold Prince, celebrated its 26th anniversary on 26 Jan 2014.

The Phantom of the Opera opened at the Majestic on 26 Jan 1988, following previews from 9 Jan, and went on to sweep the 1988 Tony Awards, winning seven, including Best Musical.

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 Phantom of the Opera currently stars Hugh Panaro (The Phantom), *Mary Michael Patterson (Christine Daae), Jeremy Hays (Raoul), Timothy Jerome (Monsieur Firmin), Michele McConnell (Carlotta), Ellen Harvey (Madame Giry), Christian Sebek (Piangi) and Kara Klein (Meg Giry), Laird Mackintosh (Monsieur Andre)
*Marni Raab will play Christine Daae at some performances.

The Phantom of the Opera has music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and is directed by Harold Prince. Lyrics are by Charles Hart (with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe) and the book is by Richard Stilgoe and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

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

- by Tom Millward