London's 'Phantom' Peter Jöback to Star in PHANTOM OF THE OPERA on Broadway from April 29

The longest-running show in Broadway history, Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, directed by Harold Prince and produced by Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Theatre Company, Inc., will welcome West End star and Platinum-selling Swedish recording star Peter Jöback to the New York cast this summer. Mr. Jöback will assume the title role for a limited engagement from Monday, April 29 through Saturday, August 24, 2012.

Mr. Jöback took part in the festivities last night, Saturday, January 26, when PHANTOM became the first Broadway show to celebrate 25 Years - an unprecedented feat in Broadway history. This milestone was marked by a Special Gala Performance at The Majestic Theatre (247 West 44th Street), the musical's home for its entire run. This historic evening featured an elaborate curtain call with remarks from producer Cameron Mackintosh and director Harold Prince, a specially-taped video greeting from composer Andrew Lloyd Webber (in London and unable to attend due to a back procedure) and original West End and Broadway star Sarah Brightman (their first joint interview in 30 years) and on-stage post-show performances from current stars Hugh Panaro and Sierra Boggess, joined by international 'Phantoms' John Owen Jones, Ramin Karimloo and Mr. Jöback. The evening also featured a Mayor's Proclamation naming January 26 "The Phantom of the Opera Day" as presented by Katherine Oliver, Commissioner of New York City Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment. Among the evening's audience were hundreds of additional alumni cast of the musical as well as more than 200 theater-goers who won tickets through an online sweepstakes on the PHANTOM Facebook page - as a Thank You to the musical's loyal "Phans." The festivities at the theater were followed by an exclusive and lavish gala at The New York Public Library.

Mr. Joback steps in this summer for current, acclaimed Phantom Hugh Panaro, who was specifically chosen to play 'The Phantom' for New York's 25th Anniversary. Mr. Panaro's long association with the musical stretches back to 1989, when he first played the role of 'Raoul' for almost 1,000 performances. He was later invited to take over the starring role, which he's since done in three separate engagements for over 1,900 performances and counting. His combined PHANTOM performance count in both roles is nearly 3,000 times. Mr. Panaro will return as "The Man Behind the Mask" on Monday, August 26.

Mr. Jöback starred in the title role in the London production of PHANTOM in 2012, but his association with the musical stretches back to London's 25th Anniversary celebrations at Royal Albert Hall in October 2011, when he was chosen to perform as one of the International Phantoms alongside Sarah Brightman during the spectacular curtain call. The event is available on CD by Decca and a DVD of the event was released by Universal Home Entertainment.

On the London stage, Peter Jöback starred as 'The Phantom' last year from March 19 through September 1. Also on the West End, he's played 'Chris' in Cameron Mackintosh's original production of Miss Saigon, and created the role of 'Michael' in Mr. Mackintosh's The Witches of Eastwick, both at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Mr. Jöback created the role of 'Robert' in the Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson musical Kristina från Duvemåla (The Emigrants), earning a Swedish Tony Award. He also starred as the 'Emcee' in Cabaret in Copenhagen and Sweden, receiving a second Swedish Tony Award.