The Phantom of the Opera: Pricipal cast changes

Marni Raab will resume performances as the Principal 'Christine Daaé' from 30 Jul 2013 in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, the longest-running show in Broadway history. Raab will assume the role from Samantha Hill who will play her final performance on 27 Jul 2013.

Raab has played the leading role of 'Christine Daaé' across the country and around the world and is currently the New York Company's 'Christine' Alternate. (The Principal Christine plays six performances a week with the Christine Alternate playing two.)

Raab has a long, unique history with the show, including numerous engagements with the U.S. Tour between Sep 2001 and 2008 and originating the role of 'Christine' for the Asian World Tour between Dec 2004 and Aug 2006. She became the thirteenth actress to be cast as 'Christine' in the Broadway production in Aug 2008. Since that time, she's played numerous engagements as both the Principal 'Christine' and the 'Christine' Alternate, which she's most recently played since March of this year. On Broadway, she has played the role of 'Christine' over 750 times, making her the fifth longest-running 'Christine' in the production's history.

Mary Michael Patterson will appear as the Alternate 'Christine,' performing two shows per week beginning 29 Jul 2013.

Patterson made her Broadway debut in the recent revival of 'Anything Goes,' including being seen as 'Hope Harcourt.' Her other credits include 'Liesl' in 'The Sound of Music' at Carnegie Hall and leading roles in Regional productions of 'Sense and Sensibility - The Musical' (Marianne Dashwood), 'White Christmas' (Judy Haynes) and 'Singin' in the Rain' (Kathy Selden).

From the 26 Aug 2013 Laird Mackintosh will join the Broadway production as 'Monsieur André,' assuming the role from Jim Weitzer. Weitzer will play his final performance as 'Monsieur André,' on 24 Aug 2013, but will re-join the production on 29 Sep 2013 as 'Monsieur Reyer.'

Mackintosh made his musical theater debut in the original Canadian production of 'The Phantom of the Opera' in 1993 playing the role of Raoul (the third romantic lead in the musical) for three years. He also covered the title role, giving numerous performances in the part. In total, he gave over 2000 performances of the show at Toronto's Pantages Theatre. He made his Broadway debut as 'George Banks' in 'Mary Poppins' and most recently appeared as 'John Utterson' in the Broadway revival of 'Jekyll & Hyde.'

The musical's principal cast now stars *Peter Joback (The Phantom), Samantha Hill (Christine Daae), Kyle Barisich (Raoul), Jim Weitzer (Monsieur Andre), Timothy Jerome (Monsieur Firmin), Michele McConnell (Carlotta), **Marilyn Caskey (Madame Giry), Christian Sebek (Piangi) and Kara Klein (Meg Giry). At certain performances Marni Raab plays Christine.
As previously announced:
Hugh Panaro will assume the role of the 'Phantom' from 26 Aug 2013
Ellen Harvey will assume the role of 'Madame Giry' from 30 Jul 2013

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.