His reviews from other major market outlets from his previous years with the National Tour have been equally effusive. "The resplendent John Cudia pulls off a miracle here," raved The Toronto Globe & Mail. "His Phantom is vocally powerful with enough menace, enough emotion and enough cheekiness to humanize it. His virtues shine!" The Toronto Star wrote, "Cudia's Phantom is a powerful figure with considerable vocal prowess that moves us," and The Toronto Sun proclaimed, "the talented Cudia excels at passion!" In The Chicago Tribune, he was hailed as "a sexier, more outré Phantom!" and The Chicago Sun-Times noted, "with plenty of charisma, the first-rate Cudia is a most imposing Phantom, with a clarion voice and unaffected acting style." The Washington Post cheered, "The proceedings appreciably quicken whenever Cudia is on duty. The vocally-powerful performer creates moments of pulse-raising epiphany!"
Having also performed in The Broadway Cast of Les Misérables (during its original run), he holds the distinction of being the only actor to have played both major leading roles of Jean Valjean in Les Misérables and the title role in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA on Broadway.
In addition to his critically-acclaimed runs in Phantom (on Broadway and tour) and Les Misérables (on Broadway), Cudia last year played Jean Valjean in the highly-successful production of Les Misérables at the Marriott Theatre in Chicago, one of the first five regional theaters in the United States to win the rights to perform the show. His resume also includes such leading roles as tenor Tony Candolino in Master Class (Portland Stage), the title role in Jesus Christ Superstar (Carousel Theater), Freddy in My Fair Lady (Westchester Broadway Theater) and Lt. Cable in South Pacific opposite Cathy Rigby (Casa Manana), as well as in productions at Paper Mill Playhouse, North Shore Music Theater, Pioneer Theater and St. Louis Repertory. His concert appearances include The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber with Liz Callaway and Alice Ripley and performing as a featured tenor soloist with the Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea in his home state of New Jersey. John earned his BA from Fordham University.
Mr. Cudia is only the 12th actor to take over the role of ‘The Phantom' on Broadway during the production's more than 21-year run. He follows (in order): Michael Crawford, Timothy Nolen, Cris Groenendaal, Steve Barton, Kevin Gray, Mark Jacoby, Marcus Lovett, Davis Gaines, Thomas James O'Leary, Hugh Panaro and Howard McGillin, as well as four additional temporary replacements: Jeff Keller, Ted Keegan, Brad Little and Gary Mauer.
The longest-running show in Broadway history (a feat it achieved in 2006 when it surpassed the then-record run of Cats), THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is the winner of 7 Tony Awards including Best Musical. Since its Broadway debut on January 26, 1988, the musical has grossed over $720 million, making it the highest-grossing show in Broadway history. Having since surpassed Cats' record by a phenomenal 3 years and 1,300 performances, it has now played over 8,800 performances - the only show in Broadway history to do so - and all with no end in sight.
Its international success - equally staggering - is represented by total worldwide grosses estimated at over $5 billion. This colossal figure makes PHANTOM the most successful entertainment venture of all time, surpassing not only any other stage production, but also far surpassing the world's highest-grossing film Titanic (at $1.2 billion) and such other blockbusters as The Lord of the Rings, Jurassic Park and Star Wars.
Worldwide, over 65,000 performances have been seen by 80 million people in 25 countries and 124 cities. There are currently ten productions around the world: London, New York, Budapest (Hungary), Osaka (Japan), Warsaw (Poland), Copenhagen (Denmark), Perth (Australia), Buenos Aires (Argentina), the U.S. National Tour and a revised production in Las Vegas at The Venetian.
Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber has started production on the sequel to the show, Phantom: Love Never Dies.
Based on the classic novel 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.
Continuing in their roles in The Broadway Cast are Jennifer Hope Wills (Christine), Ryan Silverman (Raoul), George Lee Andrews (Monsieur André), David Cryer (Monsieur Firmin),Patricia Phillips (Carlotta), Cristin J. Hubbard (Madame Giry), Evan Harrington (Piangi), Heather McFadden (Meg Giry) and Marni Raab (Christine at certain performances).
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 byRichard Stilgoe and Andrew Lloyd Webber. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has production design by the late Maria Bjornson, 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 performance schedule for THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is Monday evenings at 8 PM, Tuesday evenings at 7PM, Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 8 PM, with matinees on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2 PM. Ticket prices range from $26.50 - $121.50. To order tickets visit telecharge.com or call (212) 239-6200.
For more information visit, www.thephantomoftheopera.com.
Photo by Joan Marcus
