The Phantom of the Opera: Kara Klein to play Meg Giry

Ballet Chorus member Kara Klein will play the role of the inquisitive ballerina 'Meg Giry' on 18 Jun 2012 in the longest-running show in Broadway history, Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera. She assumes the role from Heather McFadden, who will play her final performance on 16 Jun 2012.

Klein has previously understudied the role of 'Meg Girl' in the National Tour of The Phantom of the Opera. On Broadway she has previously appeared in the Swing of 'Billy Elliot' and as an ensemble member of The Phantom of the Opera. Off-Broadway she has appeared in a New York Coty Encores! production of 'Bye, Bye Birdie.'

Klein will join current principal cast members Hugh Panaro (The Phantom), Trista Moldovan (Christine Daae), Kyle Barisich (Raoul, Vicomte de Chagn), Aaron Galligan-Stierle (Monsieur Andre), Kevin Ligon (Monsieur Firmin), Michele McConnell (Carlotta Giudicelli), Cristin J. Hubbard (Madame Giry) and Christian Sebek (Ubaldo Piangi).
The role of Christine Daae is played by Marni Raab at some performances.

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 24th anniversary on 26 Jan 2012.

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.