The Phantom of the Opera: Nancy Hess assumes the role of 'Madame Giry'

As previously reported, Broadway veteran Nancy Hess assumes the role of 'Madame Giry' on 9 Feb 2009 in Andrew Lloyd Webber�s The Phantom of the Opera, the longest-running show in Broadway history.

Hess steps into the role of �Madame Giry,� the mysterious ballet mistress, during a leave of absence for current cast member Rebecca Judd. Hess previously performed the role with the National Tour from Feb to Nov 2008.

Judd is scheduled to return to the Broadway production on 2 Mar 2009. After her New York engagement, Hess rejoins the National Tour beginning 14 Apr 2009.

In the Broadway production�s 21 year history, remarkably � and not including covers and understudies � Hess is only the fourth actress to be cast in the role. (Original cast member Leila Martin played the role for 10 years, Marilyn Caskey played it for 9 years and Rebecca Judd first performed it in June 2007).

Hess� debut with the New York Company marks her 10th Broadway show. Her long list of Broadway credits are bookended by her Broadway debut in the ensemble of the 1981 revival of 'Can-Can' and last performing the leading roles of both 'Roxie Hart' and 'Velma Kelly' in the revival of 'Chicago.'

As a leading dancer on Broadway and the road, she�s worked with such legendary choreographers as Jerome Robbins, Bob Fosse, Twyla Tharp, Donald Saddler, Peter Martins, Ann Reinking and Rob Marshall. Her Broadway credits are Chicago (revival), Jerome Robbins� Broadway, Company (1995 revival), Kiss of the Spider Woman (going on for Chita Rivera), The Goodbye Girl (going on for Bernadette Peters), Me and My Girl, Singin� in the Rain, On Your Toes (revival) and Can-Can (revival).

The Phantom of the Opera now stars Howard McGillin (The Phantom), Marni Raab (Christine Daae - played by Elizabeth Loyacano at some performances), Tim Martin Gleason (Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny), George Lee Andrews (Monsieur Andre), David Cryer (Monsieur Firmin), Patricia Phillips (Carlotta Giudicelli), Nancy Hess (Madame Giry), Wayne Hobbs (Ubaldo Piangi) and Heather McFadden (Meg Giry).

Produced by Cameron Mackintosh/Really Useful Group, Inc. and directed by Harold Prince, the musical recently celebrated an unprecedented 21 Years in New York, where it plays at The Majestic Theatre. The musical opened on 26 Jan 1988, following previews from 9 Jan, it is currently selling tickets through to 27 Jun 2009.

The longest-running show in Broadway history (a feat it achieved in Jan 2006 when it surpassed the run of Cats), the musical is the winner of 7 1988 Tony Awards including Best Musical. Since its Broadway debut on 26 Jan 1988, The Phantom of the Opera has grossed $715 million, making it the highest-grossing show in Broadway history. Total New York attendance is at 13 million. Having since surpassed Cats� record by a phenomenal 3 years and 1,200 performances, it has now played over 8,700 performances � the only show in Broadway history to do so � and all with no end in sight.

The Phantom of the Opera has always been a record-breaker, with the New York production setting benchmarks that have dominated the industry: for capitalization (a then-spectacular $8 million), total advance (a then-enormous $18 million), total gross and attendance ($715 million and 13 million and counting), total performances (becoming the first and still only show to ever reach 7,500; 8,000; 8,500 and now over 8,700 perfs), and even the number of years before a single ticket was ever sold at the TKTS ticket booth in Times Square (over 14 years, which is still the record, by a long shot). And since becoming the longest-running show in Broadway history in 2006, each performance has set a new longevity record.

The Phantom of the Opera had its world premiere on 9 Oct 1986 at Her Majesty�s Theatre in London, winning every major British theatre award including the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards.

The New York production opened on 26 Jan 1988 with a then record advance of $18 million. The musical went on to sweep the 1988 Tony Awards, winning seven, including Best Musical. The Phantom of the Opera also won seven Drama Desk Awards and three Outer Critics Circle Awards.

Based on the classic novel Le Fant�me de L�Op�ra 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 Phantom of the Opera 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.