Phantom of the Opera: Gary Mauer to play the Phantom

Gary Mauer is to play the title role in Andrew Lloyd Webber�s The Phantom of the Opera from 30 Apr - 19 May 2007.

Mauer is substituting for Howard McGillin who is taking a 3 week vacation. McGillan has played the role of the Phantom for over 1,800 times, longer then any other actor. McGillan will return to the show on 21 May 2007.

Mauer is himself a record holder having played the role of Raoul for over 1,500 performances in the Broadway production of Phantom in two separate stints (1996-98 and 1999-2001), including the tenth anniversary performance in 1998. Mauer began as a Swing with the Broadway company of Phantom in 1995. He has played the role of Phantom in the show's USA Tour production.

In addition to The Phantom of the Opera, Mauer has appeared as Enjolras in the original on Broadway production of Les Mis�rables.

Broadway's longest running musical, The Phantom Of The Opera is the only Broadway show ever to reach 8,000 performancess. The show is currently booking to 13 Oct 2007.

The Phantom Of The Opera stars Howard McGillin in the tile role with Jennifer Hope Wills as Christine and Michael Shawn Lewis as Raoul.

Only one Original cast member remains with the show, and that is George Lee Andrews. On opening night he played the role of Don Attilio, he is currently cast as Monsieur Andre.

The musical also features David Cryer (Monsieur Firmin), Anne Runolfsson (Carlotta), Marilyn Caskey (Madame Giry), Roland Rusinek (Piangi) and Heather McFadden (Meg Giry). At certain performances, Julie Hanson plays Christine.

The musical features book by Richard Stilgoe and Andrew Lloyd Webber, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Charles Hart & Richard Stilgoe

In The Phantom Of The Opera a hideously deformed Phantom lurks beneath the stage of the Paris Opera, exercising a reign of terror over its occupants. The phantom falls in love with the young Soprano devoting himself to creating a new star for the Opera by nurturing her extraordinary talents and employing all the skills at his disposal.

The Phantom Of The Opera is directed by Harold Prince and has production design by the late Maria Bj�rnson, 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.

The musical is produced on Broadway by The Cameron Mackintosh/Really Useful Theatre Company, Inc.