Eichenberger & Easterlin join The Phantom tonight

The Phantom of the Opera, Broadway's longest-running show of all time, welcomes two new members to its cast tonight.

Rebecca Eichenberger assumes the role of Madame Giry from Linda Balgord, whilst four-time Grammy winner John Easterlin makes his Broadway debut as Ubaldo Piangi, replacing Christian Šebek.

Ms. Eichenberger has previously played the role of Carlotta in the Broadway production. Her other Broadway credits include 'An American in Paris,' 'Evita,' '1776,' 'A Grand Night for Signing,' 'The Frogs' and 'Carousel.'

Mr. Easterlin has appeared in countless opera productions over the years with companies such as the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, Opéra National de Paris, Wiener Staatsoper, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, English National Opera, Teatro Real, Bolshoi and COC Toronto, amongst many others.

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