Ali Ewoldt & Jordan Donica to join The Phantom on B'way

Tom Millward
Tom Millward

The Phantom of the Opera, Broadway's longest-running show of all time, welcomes two new members to its principal cast from 13 June 2016.

Ali Ewoldt assumes the role of Christine Daaé from Julia Udine, who will play her final performance on 11 June, whilst Jordan Donica will make his Broadway debut as Raoul, replacing Jeremy Hays, who will also depart the show on 11 June.

In addition, current ensemble member Rachel Eskenazi-Gold will take on the responsibilities of the alternate Christine Daaé, replacing Rachel Zatcoff, who will play her final performance in the role on the matinee of 11 June 2016.

Ms Ewoldt's previous Broadway credits include 'The King and I' and 'Les Misérables,' as well as the National tour of 'West Side Story.' Mr Donica's regional credits include 'Jesus Christ Superstar,' 'Dames at Sea,' and 'South Pacific.' Ms Eskenazi-Gold's previous regional credits include 'The Little Mermaid,' 'Gypsy,' and 'Fiddler on the Roof.'

The principal cast of The Phantom of the Opera currently includes James Barbour (The Phantom), Julia Udine (Christine Daaé), Jeremy Hays (Raoul), Michele McConnell (Carlotta), Kara Klein (Meg Giry), Rebecca Eichenberger (Madame Giry), Laird Mackintosh (Monsieur André), Craig Bennett (Monsieur Firmin), and John Easterlin (Piangi). (Rachel Zatcoff plays Christine at some performances).

Directed by Harold Prince, The Phantom of the Opera opened at the Majestic Theatre on 26 January 1988, following previews from 9 January, and went on to sweep the 1988 Tony Awards, winning seven, 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 is produced on Broadway by Cameron Mackintosh Ltd. and Really Useful Theatre Company, Inc.

- by Tom Millward

Ali EwoldtJordan Donica

Originally published on

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