Ken Lundie To Catch Anne Clare Gibbons-Brown In PHANTOM In Hudson River Valley

Show business veteran Ken Lundie will be making his way up the Hudson River Valley from New York City to Hurley, New York in November to see his 15 year old voice student Anne Clare Gibbons-Brown sing the lead role of Christine in Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera" at John A. Coleman Catholic High School. Coleman, an independent, Catholic-affiliated school founded in 1967, is among the first schools to acquire the rights to produce Andrew Lloyd Webber's masterpiece, the longest running show in Broadway history.

Mr. Lundie, a long time veteran of the New York theater scene, was a member of the original Broadway cast of Crazy for You, the first national tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and the international tour of Black and Blue. While in Hollywood, Mr. Lundie appeared with Dolly Parton in the film Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and with Mae West in Sextette. An accomplished pianist, Mr. Lundie has also had a rich career as a Musical Director of numerous productions, including the current Off-Broadway hit Dietrich and Chevalier starring Rober Cuciolli of Jekyll and Hyde fame, and last year's Off-Broadway success For Lovers Only. Additionally, he was Musical Supervisor for Broadway's infamous Moose Murders with Eve Arden, and Associate Musical Director for the acclaimed Lone Star Love, and Jimmy Buffet's Don't Stop the Carnival. As an audition pianist he has played for hundreds of shows including Broadway's The Lion King, Jekyll and Hyde, and Titanic, Mr. Lundie has been a regular with Radio City Productions since 1999, and was honored to perform at the White House for the Clintons' 52nd Innaugural Celebration with Carol Channing, Tyne Daly, and Lauren Becall.

Mr. Lundie on his student Anne Clare Gibbons-Brown: "rarely do I coach talent as young as Anne Clare. I never want to steer anyone into the Broadway theatrical scene unless they absolutely have the desire and the drive. Anne Clare is a real talent that has already been noticed by some of New York's leading casting directors. We just recorded her first CD and she has several video performances posted on YouTube. I anticipate big things from this little bundle of dynamite."

"The Phantom of the Opera" won seven Tony Awards in 1988, and propelled Sarah Brightman (in the role of Christine) and Michael Crawford (as the Phantom) to theatrical fame. Its sensational score includes Think of Me, Angel of Music, All I Ask of You, Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again, Music of the Night, Masquerade, and The Phantom of the Opera. Although Coleman has an enrollment of 185 students, over 40 young people from the Hudson River Valley are in the cast, many more working backstage. The entire school is mobilized for this production, with parents working since August building sets, sewing costumes, and collecting props.

The show will receive six performances at Coleman High School on successive weekends in November; Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 pm on November 19, 20, 26, 27, and Sundays at 3:00pm on November 21 and 28. Ticket prices are $15 for adults and $10 for children under 12. Due to the overwhelming popularity of the show, tickets are currently on sale and may be reserved by calling the high school at 845-338-2750.