Broadway veteran Nancy Hess will join the Broadway cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, the longest-running show in Broadway history, beginning Monday, February 9. Produced by Cameron Mackintosh/Really Useful Group, Inc. and directed by Harold Prince, the musical recently celebrated an unprecedented 21 Years in New York, where it plays at The Majestic Theatre (247 West 44th Street).
Miss Hess steps into the role of ‘Madame Giry,' the mysterious ballet mistress, during a leave of absence for current cast member Rebecca Judd. Hess previously performed the role with the National Tour from February to November 2008.
In the Broadway production's 21 year history, remarkably - and not including covers and understudies - Hess is only the fourth actress to be cast in the role. (Original cast member Leila Martin played the role for 10 years, Marilyn Caskey played it for 9 years and Rebecca Judd first performed it in June 2007)
Miss Judd is scheduled to return to the Broadway production on Tuesday, March 2. After her New York engagement, Miss Hess rejoins the National Tour beginning Tuesday, April 14.
Hess' debut with the New York Company marks her 10th Broadway show. Her long list of Broadway credits are bookended by her Broadway debut in the ensemble of the 1981 revival of Can-Can and last performing the leading roles of both Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly in the revival of Chicago.
As a leading dancer on Broadway and the road, she's worked with such legendary choreographers as Jerome Robbins, Bob Fosse, Twyla Tharp, Donald Saddler, Peter Martins, Ann Reinking and Rob Marshall. Her Broadway credits are Chicago (revival), Jerome Robbins' Broadway, Company (1995 revival), Kiss of the Spider Woman (going on for Chita Rivera), The Goodbye Girl (going on for Bernadette Peters), Me and My Girl, Singin' in the Rain, On Your Toes (revival) and Can-Can (revival). In addition to PHANTOM, her National Tour credits include My Fair Lady, Cats, Dancin' and The Boy Friend (directed by Julie Andrews). Notable Regional credits include Anything Goes (Reno Sweeney), Baby (Arlene), A Chorus Line (Cassie) and Sunday in the Park with George (Yvonne).
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 1988 Tony Awards including Best Musical. Since its Broadway debut on January 26, 1988, the musical has grossed over $715 million, making it the highest-grossing show in Broadway history. Total New York attendance is at 13 million. Having since surpassed Cats' record by a phenomenal 3 years and 1,200 performances, it has now played over 8,700 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 attendance is over 80 million people. Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber recently confirmed that he has greenlit production on a sequel to the show, Phantom: Love Never Dies.
Base 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 PHANTOM OF THE OPERA 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.
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA stars Howard McGillin in the title role with Marni Raab as Christine and Tim Martin Gleason as Raoul. Having donned the mask over 2,300 times, Mr. McGillin holds the record for having performed the title role more than any other actor in the Broadway production. The musical also co-stars George Lee Andrews (Monsieur André; Mr. Andrews is the only cast member to have been with the Broadway production for the entire run), David Cryer (Monsieur Firmin), Patricia Phillips (Carlotta), Evan Harrington (Piangi) and Polly Baird (Meg Giry). At certain performances, Elizabeth Loyacano plays Christine.
The regular performance schedule for THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is Monday and Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m. with matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2 p.m. For tickets, $26.25-$121.50, call Tele-charge at (212) 239-6200, visit www.telecharge.com or visit The Majestic Theatre box office (247 West 44th Street).
www.thephantomoftheopera.com
