'Phantom' Tour Celebrates 15th Anniversary Dec.13

The National Touring Company of the Cameron Mackintosh/Really Useful Theatre Company, Inc. production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, directed by Harold Prince, celebrates its 15th anniversary on December 13, 2007 when it reaches performance number 6,139 during its 5th Chicago engagement at the Cadillac Palace Theatre.  This National Tour opened at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle on December 13, 1992 and has been on tour continuously ever since.

Jason Mills currently heads the 36-member touring company as The Phantom, with Sara Jean Ford as the young soprano, Christine, and Greg Mills as Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny.  Also featured is Kim Stengel as Carlotta Giudicelli, Bruce Winant as Monsieur Firmin, D.C. Anderson as Monsieur André, Rebecca Judd as Madame Giry, John Whitney as Ubaldo Piangi and Polly Baird as Meg. At certain performances, Sarah Lawrence plays the role of Christine.

With worldwide box office sales of over $3 billion, The Phantom of the Opera is the most successful entertainment venture of the twentieth century.  The winner of seven 1988 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, The Phantom of the Opera is currently in its nineteenth year on Broadway.  Worldwide, The Phantom of the Opera consistently plays to larger audiences and in longer engagements than any other musical in history.  On January 9, 2006, The Phantom of the Opera became the longest-running show in Broadway history surpassing Cats' record-holding run of 7,485 performances.

"Based on the classic novel by Gaston Leroux, The Phantom of the Opera tells the story of a masked figure that 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," explain press notes.

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. Production design by 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 National tour is currently at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago through January 5, 2008.  Tickets are available at all Broadway in Chicago box offices, online at www.broadwayinchicago.com or call (312) 902-1400.  Groups call (312) 977-1710.

Following the Chicago egagement, The Phantom of the Opera National tour will visit:
Louisville: Kentucky Center - January 9-27, Call 502.584.7777
Omaha: Orpheum Theater - January 30-February 24, Call 402.345.0606 or 402.422.1212
San Antonio: Majestic Theatre - February 27-March 23, Call 210.224.9600
Costa Mesa: Orange County PAC - March 26-April 19, Call 714.556.2787
Saskatoon: TCU Place - April 23-May 17, Call 306.938-7800
Sacramento: Community Center Theatre - May 21-June 14, Call 916.557.1999