The Phantom of the Opera: Marni Raab plays Christine

Marni Raab resumes performances as the Principal 'Christine Daaé' on 30 Jul 2013 in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, the longest-running show in Broadway history. Raab assumes the role from Samantha Hill who played her final performance on 27 Jul 2013.

Raab has a long, unique history with the show, including numerous engagements with the U.S. Tour between Sep 2001 and 2008 and originating the role of 'Christine' for the Asian World Tour between Dec 2004 and Aug 2006. She became the thirteenth actress to be cast as 'Christine' in the Broadway production in Aug 2008. Since that time, she's played numerous engagements as both the Principal 'Christine' and the 'Christine' Alternate, which she's most recently played from 04 Mar - 27 Jul 2013 March of this year. On Broadway, she has played the role of 'Christine' over 750 times, making her the fifth longest-running 'Christine' in the production's history.

Mary Michael Patterson now plays the role of the Alternate 'Christine,' performing two shows per week.

Patterson made her Broadway debut in the recent revival of 'Anything Goes,' including being seen as 'Hope Harcourt.' Her other credits include 'Liesl' in 'The Sound of Music' at Carnegie Hall and leading roles in Regional productions of 'Sense and Sensibility - The Musical' (Marianne Dashwood), 'White Christmas' (Judy Haynes) and 'Singin' in the Rain' (Kathy Selden).

Also from 30 Jul 2013 Ellen Harvey plays 'Madame Giry,' assuming the role from Marilyn Caskey who played her final performance on 27 Jul 2013.

Harvey previously played 'Madame Giry' on Broadway in 2012. Her other Broadway credits include 'The Music Man,' 'Thou Shalt Not' and 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.'

The principal cast for The Phantom of the Opera currently stars The musical's principal cast now stars *Peter Joback (The Phantom), Marni Raab (Christine Daae), Kyle Barisich (Raoul), Timothy Jerome (Monsieur Firmin), Michele McConnell (Carlotta), Ellen Harvey (Madame Giry), **Jim Weitzer (Monsieur Andre), Christian Sebek (Piangi) and Kara Klein (Meg Giry).
Mary Michael Patterson plays the alternatate 'Christine Daae' at some performances)
*Hugh Panaro will assume the role of the 'Phantom' from 26 Aug 2013
**Laird Mackintosh will assume the role of 'Monsieur Andre' from 26 Aug 2013)

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 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.