PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Star Dale Kristien Set for BROADWAY REVISITED at Spencer, 11/16

During the five years that the sensational Broadway soprano Dale Kristien so gracefully performed in "The Phantom of the Opera" she was on stage for 2.5 hours per show, while the masked man for whom the show is named was visible for a mere 27 minutes. Hence, the character role of "Christine Daaé," a beautiful young dancer in the chorus at the Opera where the freakish Phantom resides, is hardly that of a supporting player, but rather the leading subject of the Phantom's love obsession. In fact Kristien played Daaé for more performances than any other actress during the blockbuster's run, and also played the role for three successive Phantom's including the show's Broadway start with Michael Crawford and its closer with Davis Gaines.
Kristien rose as a true star in the Tony-winning "Phantom", appearing in eight performances every week, or a whopping 1,700 performances during its L.A. run. Her rendition of the show's hit aria, "Think of Me," in which there's a gorgeous cadenza that Kristien would push through for about 40 seconds - with a staggering amount of vibrato - is said to have drawn tears from audiences each and every show night.

Kristien, who has also starred in Camelot (with Richard Burton in the original stage production) and in the film "King Arthur" (with Richard Harris), takes center stage at the Spencer on Saturday, November 16 at 8 p.m. singing a bold program of Andrew Lloyd Webber hits and other favorites from Broadway. Lloyd Webber tunes like "Memories" (from "Cats"), "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" (from "Evita") "Everthing's Alright" (from "Jesus Christ, Superstar") are sure to fill the bill, as are "Phantom" sensations "All I Ask of You" and "Think of Me."

One may also expect tunes like "Any Dream Will Do" and "Close Every Door" from the Lloyd Webber Tony-Winner "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," in which tenor Bill Hutton, who shares the spotlights with Kristien at the Spencer, had starred in the leading role on Broadway.

Hutton's Broadway credits also include "Festival," "The Gay 90's Musical" and "Songs For Ex-Lovers and Wives," and appearances in TV shows such as "Trapper John M.D. and "Santa Barbara." He regularly performs in concert with Kristien at halls throughout southern California, and the duo's annual Christmas show "The Happiest Season of All" is a must-see in L.A.

At the Spencer, the singers will appear with a four-piece band on piano, bass, drums and synthesizer, providing all those soaring Lloyd Webber-esque orchestral effects to accompany Kristien and Hutton's lavish vocals. Excellent seats ($69 & $66) are available for the 8 p.m. Saturday, November 16 performance. Call 575.336.4800 for tickets or go to www.spencertheater.com.

Spencer Theater is a world-class performance hall located in the Sacramento Mountain settlement of Alto, about 12 miles north of downtown Ruidoso. Unique architecture, outstanding acoustics, intimate seating, and excellent artistry are theSpencer's celebrated features. The elegant, award-winning hall, which first raised its curtains in 1997, seats 514, with no seats farther than 67 feet from the 4,770 square-foot stage. The Spencer also has a 964 square-foot outdoor stage that can seat 1,500. From its Spanish mica-flecked limestone face to the crystal lobby, the building itself is a work of art. Free public tours are offered at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the year. Donations are accepted!

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