Photo Flash: International PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Star Renée Knapp Visits PHANTOM Las Vegas

"It's a dream come true," says American Native Renee Knapp, the German-Australian Phantom of the Opera Star, who attended a performance of the Vegas production, which will close its doors forever on September 2nd, "I'm so excited to finally having seen "Phantom" at the incredible Venetian." After the performance, Knapp met with the Vegas cast, including stars Kristen Hertzenberg, Anthony Crivello and Andrew Ragone. Check out backstage photos below!

Knapp, born in Virginia, came to Europe and quickly became a beloved star of Musical Theater singing lead roles in top musicals all over Europe including over 1000 performances as Christine in Phantom in Germany and Australia.

Renee is especially proud that Harold Prince personally arranged for her to jump in on 72 hours notice to perform the role of Christine in Australia at the Princess Theater in Melbourne when both their first cast and alternate singers were suddenly unable to sing.

Renee remembers: "Phantom's production in Hamburg was sung in German, so on the flight to Melbourne I had to learn the role in English. The moment I landed in Australia, I raced to a rehearsal for the evening's performance where I sang the high E flat in the show's title song - in English. Renee was so well received that the Melbourne and Hamburg theater management negotiated a deal to loan Renee to the Melbourne production for four months. It was a whirlwind experience to say the least, but to this day nothing tops it in my singing career!"

Renée will stay in Vegas and Pittsburgh for a couple of days visiting family, before returning to Europe and a busy concert schedule.

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