| EMILIE KOUTACHOU to become PHANTOM-Broadway's new Christine at show's 34th Anniversary 1/26/22 | |
| Posted by: Official_Press_Release 09:53 am EST 12/18/21 | |
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| ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER AND CAMERON MACKINTOSH ANNOUNCE EMILIE KOUATCHOU WILL BE BROADWAY'S NEW 'CHRISTINE' IN THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA STARTING ON THE MUSICAL'S 34th ANNIVERSARY WEDS, JAN. 26 AT THE MAJESTIC THEATRE MEGHAN PICERNO TO PLAY FINAL PERFORMANCE ON SUN, JAN. 23 New York, NY (December 17, 2021) – Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh announced today that Emilie Koutachou will take over the principal role of 'Christine Daaé' in the New York production of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA on the night that the musical celebrates its unprecedented 34th Anniversary on Wednesday evening, January 26 at 7PM. Directed by the late theater legend Harold Prince, PHANTOM is the longest-running show in Broadway history. Current leading lady Meghan Picerno will play her final performance on Sunday evening, January 23 at 5PM. Following the industry-wide shut down due to the Covid pandemic, the Broadway production recently reopened on October 22, with an outdoor block party that made headlines around the world. It continues to play at The Majestic Theatre (245 West 44th Street), the musical's New York home for all 34 record-breaking years. As much a part of the city landscape as the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA remains an iconic New York City landmark. Currently the 'Christine' Alternate, Emilie Kouatchou made history in October as the first Black actor to play the role on Broadway. The role is Ms. Kouatchou's celebrated Broadway debut. Meghan Picerno has a unique history with the role. She first originated the role of 'Christine' to great acclaim in the North American premiere of Love Never Dies, Andrew Lloyd Webber's sequel to PHANTOM. She was then selected to open the most recent World Tour of PHANTOM, thrilling audiences worldwide before joining the Broadway cast in October 2019. Taking over as the 'Christine' Alternate will be Julia Udine, who also has a long history with the show. She originated the role of 'Christine' in the all-new North American touring production in 2013. She joined the Broadway production in December 2014, playing the role there over 400 times. She returned to the New York production for the recent reopening, serving as the production's first and only full-time Standby for 'Christine.' Her first performance as Alternate will be Monday evening, January 24 at 8PM. Continuing in their roles are Ben Crawford as 'The Phantom,' John Riddle as 'Raoul,' Bradley Dean as 'Monsieur André,' Craig Bennett as 'Monsieur Firmin,' Raquel Suarez Groen as 'Carlotta Giudicelli,' Maree Johnson as 'Madame Giry,' Carlton Moe as 'Ubaldo Piangi' and Sara Esty as 'Meg Giry.' The Ensemble features Giselle Alvarez, Polly Baird, Janinah Burnett, Xiaoxiao Cao, David Michael Garry, Chris Georgetti, Kelly Jeanne Grant, Katharine Heaton, Satomi Hofmann, Ted Keegan, Kfir, Kelly Loughran, Scott Mikita, Greg Mills, Justin Peck, Patricia Phillips, Richard Poole, Jessica Radetsky, Lindsay Roberts, Janet Saia, Paul A. Schaefer, Carly Blake Sebouhian, Jeremy Stolle, Carrington Vilmont, Jim Weitzer, Elizabeth Welch and Erica Wong. The PHANTOM Orchestra – Broadway's largest, with 27 members – performs under the musical supervision of David Caddick. TICKETING Ticket prices range from $29–$169, with Premium tickets also available. To order tickets and for complete performance and holiday schedules, visit www.Telecharge.com or call (212) 239-6200. Patrons can visit The Majestic Theatre Box Office (245 West 44th Street), Monday through Saturday, 10AM-6PM. SAFETY PROTOCOLS Broadway is committed to providing healthy and safe facilities for audiences, performers and staff. The Broadway League recently announced that the owners and operators of all 41 Broadway theatres in New York City will require vaccinations for audience members, as well as performers, backstage crew, and theatre staff, for all performances through October 2021. Masks will also be required for audiences inside the theatre, except while eating or drinking in designated locations Under the policy, guests will need to be fully vaccinated with an FDA or WHO authorized vaccine in order to attend a show and must show proof of vaccination at their time of entry into the theatre with their valid ticket. "Fully vaccinated" means the performance date must be at least 14 days after the second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine, or at least 14 days after a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine. BIOS Meghan Picerno (Christine Daaé through Jan. 23) has delighted audiences on theater, opera and concert stages around the world. She first worked with Phantom director Harold Prince playing 'Cunegonde' in his new production of Candide at New York City Opera in 2017, reprising her acclaimed performance in venues from San Francisco to Barcelona. Later that year, she was chosen to originate the role of 'Christine' in the North American premiere of Love Never Dies, Andrew Lloyd Webber's sequel to Phantom. She went on to thrill audiences worldwide as 'Christine' in the launch of the musical's most recent World Tour, joining the Broadway production directly from the tour. Her opera credits include 'Queen of the Night' in Die Zauberflöte at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, and across the country as 'Gilda' in Rigoletto, 'Violetta' in La traviata and the title role in Lucia di Lammermoor. Meghan has a Master of Music degree in Voice from Manhattan School of Music, hails from Chicago, and resides in New York City. Emilie Kouatchou (Christine Alternate through Jan. 23; Christine Daaé as of Jan. 24) is making her Broadway debut in Phantom. She appeared Off-Broadway in Unknown Soldier at Playwrights Horizons. Other recent credits include Oklahoma! (Broadway at Music Circus, Sacramento, CA); Merrily We Roll Along, Passing Strange, Me and My Girl, Violet, A Man of No Importance (The University of Michigan); and Sweeney Todd (Connecticut Repertory Theater). Born and raised in Chicago, Emilie is a graduate of the University of Michigan's Musical Theatre program. All Black Lives Matter. Ms. Kouatchou is the first Black actor to play the role of 'Christine' in the Broadway production. She follows current London leading lady Lucy St. Louis, who became the very first Black actor to play the role, when she reopened the London production as 'Christine' this past summer. In New York, Ms. Kouatchou is also preceded by Ali Ewoldt, who became the first Asian-American and person of color to play the role on Broadway in 2016. Julia Udine (Christine Standby through Jan. 23; Christine Alternate as of Jan. 24) is thrilled to return to Phantom, where she made her Broadway debut as Christine. She previously toured the country as 'Christine' with the original cast of the restaged North American National Tour. She has been fortunate to perform with the Philadelphia Orchestra under Maestro Yannick Nezet-Seguin, celebrating Leonard Bernstein, and has also performed with Josh Groban in the opening of his 'Stages' tour in Atlanta. Other Theater credits include City Center's Pirates of Penzance ('Mabel'), Jack's Back ('Jenny'), Tell Me on a Sunday and Shrek ('Fiona'). TV includes "Law & Order: SVU" and "All My Children." A native of New Jersey, Ms. Udine was born in Camden and raised in Voorhees Township. ABOUT THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Broadway's blockbuster phenomenon, Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, directed by the late Harold Prince, is one of the world's all-time most successful entertainment properties. Produced by Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Group, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has been the longest-running show in Broadway history for well over a decade, and its astounding longevity in New York and around the world is unprecedented. On Broadway alone, the musical has played an unheard of more than 13,000 performances to 19 million people at The Majestic Theatre (245 West 44th Street).. Based on the classic novel Le Fantôme de L'Opéra by Gaston Leroux, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, has music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Charles Hart with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe and book by Richard Stilgoe and Andrew Lloyd Webber. It is directed by the late Harold Prince. Musical staging and choreography is by the late Gillian Lynne. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has production design by the late Maria Björnson®, lighting by Andrew Bridge and sound by Mick Potter with original sound by Martin Levan. Musical supervision and direction is by David Caddick and orchestrations are by David Cullen and Andrew Lloyd Webber. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is widely considered one of the most beautiful and spectacular productions in history. Andrew Lloyd Webber's romantic, haunting and soaring score includes "The Music of the Night," "All I Ask of You," "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again," "Masquerade" and the iconic title song. It tells the tale of a disfigured musical genius known only as 'The Phantom' who haunts the depths of The Paris Opera House. Mesmerized by the talents and beauty of the young soprano Christine, The Phantom lures her as his protégé and falls fiercely in love with her. Unaware of Christine's love for Raoul, The Phantom's obsession sets the scene for a dramatic turn of events where jealousy, madness and passions collide. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has played to over 145 million people in 41 countries and 183 cities in 17 languages for more than 70,000 performances. It has won more than 70 major theatre awards, including seven Tony Awards and four Olivier Awards. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has been the largest single generator of income and jobs in Broadway and U.S. theatrical history. In the New York production alone, an estimated 6,500 people (including 400 actors) have been employed during its more than three decades run. The musical's flagship London production reopened at its home and birthplace, Her Majesty's Theatre, on August 8 to rave reviews. The next confirmed international productions set to open will be in Australia. First, the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour presents a unique outdoor production in March 2022. Under the stars, on a floating stage in front of the Sydney Opera House, the production is being directed by Simon Phillips and designed by Gabriela Tylesova. This will be followed by Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular, new production, directed by Laurence Connor. In its Australian premiere, the non-replica production will play the Sydney Opera House in August 2022 and Arts Centre Melbourne in October 2022. www.PhantomBroadway.com |
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| Link | http://www.PhantomBroadway.com |
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