Meet the Cast: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA US Tour- Part 1!

Just last week, Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group announced the casting and initial tour schedule for their spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera launching a major North American Tour in Providence, R.I. at the Providence Performing Arts Center. With newly reinvented staging and stunning scenic design, this new version of PHANTOM, the most successful musical of all-time, will be performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making this one of the largest productions on tour in North America. Meet the cast below! CLICK HERE to meet the rest of the cast.

For more information on the production, please visit www.ThePhantomOfTheOpera.com

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Mark Campbell
The Phantom

Mark is honored beyond measure to join the Phantom cast in a role he has dreamed of playing since he was 14. Mark was most recently seen in the world premiere musical of Treasure Island. He has toured the country clad in spandex covering all three fathers in the National Tour of Mamma Mia!and in a pinstriped suit in the National Tour of Guys & Dolls. He has performed in regional theatres across the country in a wide range of roles from Brick in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof to El Gallo in The Fantasticks. Favorite roles include Beast (Beauty and the Beast), Sky (Guys & Dolls), Kent (King Lear), Harold Hill (The Music Man), Higgins (My Fair Lady) and many others, but he doesn't want to bore you. Mark would like to thank his friends and family for their constant love and support. He would like to thank Tara Rubin Casting, the creative team, and Hartig/Hilepo for believing in him. Dreams really can come true. Thank you for supporting live Union theatre.

Julia Udine
Christine Daaé

Julia is honored to be making her touring debut with this new production of The Phantom of the Opera with this incredible cast and creative team! Theater credits include: Jack's Back (Jenny), West Side Story (Maria). TV:Law and Order SVU, All My Children. Originally from Southern New Jersey, Julia studied vocally with Melissa Daniels and received ballet training from Andrea Duffin who both gave her the inspiration and courage to pursue her dreams. Many thanks to her wonderful family, friends and teachers for their continued love and support. Thanks to Tara Rubin Casting, Erica Tuchman, Abrams Artists and to Bruce Kolb for guidance and expertise.

Grace Morgan
U/s Christine Daaé at some performances, Ensemble

Grace is ecstatic to be traveling the country with her Phantom family while making her touring debut! Regional: Grease (Sandy, Forestburgh Playhouse). A Little Night Music (Anne, Indiana Repertory Theatre). Grace has sung for multiple vocal recordings for MTI's Broadway Jr. Series. Proud BFA musical theater graduate of the University of Michigan. Thanks to Tara Rubin Casting, Carson-Adler Agency, my incredible family and all of my teachers and mentors who encouraged me to pursue my dream. Love to my husband and best friend, Daniel. To God be the glory!

Ben Jacoby
Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny

Ben has has called Chicago his home for the past year and comes toPhantom directly from the Chicago-area Marriott Theatre (South Pacific, Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 and Now and Forever: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber). Regionally, Ben has appeared at the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre (Willoughby in Sense and Sensibility), Maine State Music Theatre (Fabrizio in The Light in the Piazza) and in several productions at the Utah Shakespeare Festival including Tom in The Glass Menagerie and Leartes in Hamlet. He holds undergraduate degrees in English Literature and Theatre from Denison University and an MFA in Acting from UC Irvine. Love and thanks to Erika and ALL family and friends.

Jacquelynne Fontaine
Carlotta Guidicelli

Regional: The Student Prince (Kathie, Pittsburgh CLO), A Little Night Music (Charlotte, Indiana Rep Theater), The Sound of Music (Elsa, North Shore Music Theater), A Room With A View (Ragazza, The Old Globe). Opera: La Traviata (Violetta, Tacoma Opera and Rogue Opera), The King & I(Anna, Opera North), Le Nozze di Figaro (Susanna, Rogue Opera), Don Giovanni (Donna Elvira, Tuscia Opera, Italy), Die Zauberflöte (Pamina, Tuscia Opera, Italy). In Southern California: Don Giovanni (Donna Anna),Summer and Smoke (Alma), Idomeneo (Ilia), Candide (Cunegonde),Antigone (Antigone), Blood Wedding (The Bride), A View From the Bridge(Catherine). Orchestras: Orchestra del Lazio - Italy, Burbank Philharmonic, Conejo Pops, South Coast Symphony, Redlands Bowl Orchestra. Awards: Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (Regional Finalist, District Winner), Loren Zachary Grand National Finals (Winner), International Competizione del' Opera in Dresden (Semi-finalist), Burbank Phil Young Artist (Winner), Rio Hondo Symphony Young Artist (Winner) Palm Springs Opera Guild (Winner), NATS-LA Singer of the Year. Jacquelynne was Miss California 2006 and competed at Miss America 2007 where she placed in the Top Ten and won the talent award, singing "Vissi d'arte" from Puccini's Tosca. jacquelynnefontaine.com

Craig Bennett
Monsieur Firmin

Craig has appeared on Broadway as Jerry Cruncher in A Tale of Two Cities, Thomas Hassenger in the Lincoln Center revival of South Pacific and Sgt. Schultz in Miss Saigon. He has toured in Billy Elliot as Big Davey, The Light in the Piazza as Signor Naccarelli, Mamma Mia! as Bill Austin,Ragtime (Chicago Co.) as Willie Conklin, LES MISERABLES as Combeferre and Thénardier. His regional credits include the Goodman Theatre, Cleveland Playhouse, Asolo Repertory, North Shore Music Theatre and Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. Love to Sala and Mako.

Edward Staudenmayer
Monsieur André

Edward most recently starred as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh in the National Tour of the Roundabout Theatre Company's Tony winning revival ofAnything Goes. On Broadway, he has starred as the White Rabbit inWonderland and played opposite Martin Short for many performances inMartin Short: Fame Becomes Me. He has also starred in Monty Python's Spamalot (Sir Galahad, et. al.) at the Wynn Resort in Las Vegas. Ed has had an over 19 year association with the Tony Award-winning, Forbidden Broadway taking him Off-Broadway, around the world, onto three cast recordings and recently a stint as director of the Tampa Production. He has toured with Beauty and the Beast (Gaston, National Theater Award Nomination), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Pharaoh),The Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Santa) and The Scarlet Pimpernel where he later played the title role at the Starlight Theater and Performance Riverside in Southern California (ITL Award, LA Robbie Nominee). He starred in the world premieres of Cy Coleman's Exactly Like You (Goodspeed and York Theaters),The Great Ostrovsky (Prince Music Theater, Barrymore Nomination), Maury Yeston's In The Beginning (Maine State), I'll Be Seeing You (KimMel Center), as the Villain in Disney's Hercules (New Amsterdam Theater), Neil Sedaka's Breaking Up Is Hard To Do (Capitol Repertory Theater, The Actor's Playhouse - Miami and The Ogunquit Playhouse) and The Old Globe's production of A Room With A View. Other credits include: 9 to 5 (Ogunquit and Gateway Playhouse's), Newsical (Studio 54), The Nutcracker and I (George Street Playhouse), On The Twentieth Century (American Musical Theater of San Jose), Noises Off (Paper Mill and Cape Playhouse), Bye Bye Birdie and 1776 (Sacramento CLO), Jane Eyre and Gigi (Paper Mill Playhouse), Children of Eden (Performance Riverside), The Cabaret Girl (42nd St. Moon, Cast Recording), The Producers (Seven Angeles) and many roles with the Music Theater of Wichita. Concerts with Town Hall's Broadway By the Year, the Musicals of 1953 (Live Cast Recording),Musicals of the 70's and has had the pleasure of singing with the Baltimore, Syracuse, Bartlesville and Adelaide, Australia Symphonies. Ed also performed as Rum Tum Tugger/ Munkustrap in Cats Hamburg, performed voices for MTV's Celebrity Deathmatch and is currently the Associate Director of Off Broadway's Sista's. He is a graduate of UCLA and a recipient of the Carol Burnett Award. AEA, SAG, AFTRA, AGVA member.

Linda Balgord
Madame Giry

Linda has a rich history of performing the works of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber on Broadway, International and National Tours and Concerts in the US and London. She starred as Norma Desmond in the first national tour of Sunset Boulevard (Jeff Award Nomination) and as Rose Vibert in the US and Canadian tour of Aspects of Love (Helen Hayes Award Nomination). She was the final Grizabella in Cats on Broadway, singing "Memory" for the last time at the Winter Garden Theatre, when the show ended its record-breaking run.

On Broadway, Linda also created the role of Queen Elizabeth I in The Pirate Queen for which she received a Drama Desk Award Nomination. Her other Broadway credits include Mamma Rose in Gypsy (Stand-by for Patti LuPone), Marie Dindon in the 2005 revival of La Cage Aux Folles and the original company of Passion. Linda was most recently seen in New York in the world premiere of Death Takes A Holiday as the Contessa and in Myths and Hymns as The Woman. She appeared as Zandra, Irene and The Virgin Mary in Jerry Springer The Opera at Carnegie Hall. At the request of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, she performed "With One Look" from Sunset Boulevard at London's Whitehall Banqueting Palace. Her Regional credits include Now and Forever - The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Drowsy in The Drowsy Chaperone, Fanny in Funny Girl (Jeff Award Nomination), Eva in Evita, Aldonza in Man of La Mancha(Jeff Award Nomination) and Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music.

Frank Viveros
Ubaldo Piangi

Frank is grateful to be a part of this incredible production! He originated the roles of Bloat The Blowfish in Disney's Finding Nemo: The Musical, and Iron Chef in off-Broadway's Yellow Brick Road. Favorites include:Caroline, or Change (Bus/Dryer), Once on this Island (Agwe), Buddy(Apollo), Songs for a New World (Man 1), Children of Eden (Cain),Sweeney Todd (Beadle). Thanks to God for Meg, Merri, my friends and the most incredible Family one can have. Gracias! Twitter: @Frrankly

Hannah Florence
Meg Giry

Hannah is so happy to be a part of Phantom. Broadway: Scandalous. NY:It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman (City Center Encores!), Where's Charley? (City Center Encores!), Anna Nicole (NYC Opera/BAM). Mary Poppins (1st National Tour). Select regional: On The Town (Lonely Town Pas de Deux), West Side Story ('Somewhere' girl), Joseph...Dreamcoat(Apache dance), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Ruth). TV: One Life to Live. NYU alumna. Huge thanks to Tara Rubin Casting, Nicolosi & Co., friends and family. @yeshannahbanana

Adam Bashian
Swing

Adam is thrilled to be joining the Phantom Phamily with this iconic production! Favorites: On Your Toes (Encores!), Tamar of the River(Prospect Theatre), Yeoman of the Guard (NYGASP), The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity (Caldwell Theatre), In Transit, Dr. Zhivago (pre-Broadway readings). TV: House of Cards. Thanks to Laurence, Merri, DSM and my family for their unflinching support. Montclair State Alum 2011. AdamBashian.com

Nick Cartell
Ensemble, u/s Raoul

Nick is thrilled to be making is National Tour debut with The Phantom of the Opera. Broadway: Jesus Christ Superstar (2012 Tony-Nominated Revival) in which he went on as Jesus, Judas and Annas; Scandalous: The Life and Trials of Aimee Semple McPherson (OBC Recording). Off Broadway: Frankenstein the Musical (OC Recording). Regional: My Fair Lady (Freddy), The Light in the Piazza (Fabrizio, AriZoni Award), LES MISERABLES (Marius, AriZoni Nomination) to name just a few. Guest soloist with the Phoenix Symphony. Huge thank you to the entire production team, cast and crew, Tara Rubin Casting, Cynthia at Gotham Talent and of course my amazing family for their undying love and support. Above all I could not do any of this without my love and partner in life, Christine Cartell. Proud member of Actors Equity. nickartell.com @nickcartell

Mark Emerson
Ensemble, u/s Monsieur André

Mark is thrilled to be on his first National Tour with Phantom. London: Prior in Angels in America (Lyric Hammersmith). NYC: A Picture of Autumn (Mint Theater), Drat! The Cat! (Opening Doors), Viva Los Bastarditos! (NYC Fringe and Encore Series). Regional: Sunday in the Park with George (The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis), Merton in Merton of the Movies (Dorset Theatre Festival), The Wiz and Zhivago (La Jolla Playhouse). He is a graduate of Northwestern University and received his MFA in acting from UCSD. Much love to Family and Jake!

Cooper Grodin
Ensemble, u/s The Phantom

Cooper grew up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan on the banks of the great Hudson River. He was recently seen in The 25th Anniversary National Tour of LES MISERABLES, Shakespeare in the Park's Into The Woods and the Drama Desk nominated Best Revival of The Golden Land. His debut original album It's The Little Things is available on iTunes. He thanks his family, coaches and agents at About Artists for their continuing support and encouragement along the journey.coopergrodin.com

Michael Thomas Holmes
Ensemble, u/s Monsieur Firmin

Michael appeared in Broadway's Oklahoma! (Ali Hakim), toured with The Producers (with Jason Alexander & Martin Short), played Nathan Detroit in John Rando's Guys & Dolls (Barrington Stage) and was Clown 2 in The 39 Steps (with Howard McGillin) at George Street Playhouse. At The Guthrie, Michael appeared as Autolycus in The Winter's Tale and John Adams in 1776. He received his MFA in Acting from UC Irvine, has appeared on Smash and Law & Order and was the immortal Stormtrooper Rolf in The Producers: The Movie Musical. Also a BFA-trained graphic designer, Michael has worked simultaneously as an actor/designer for 20+ years. michaelthomasholmes.com

Celia Hottenstein
Ensemble, u/s Christine

National Tour Debut! Proud 2013 graduate of The Boston Conservatory. Regional Credits: Princesses at Goodspeed Opera House, Nine at SpeakEasy Stage Company. Conservatory Credits: Thoroughly Modern Millie (Miss Dorothy), The Apple Tree (Ella/Passionella), The Full Monty(Estelle), Sweeney Todd (u/s Johanna). Concerts: Carner & Gregor, Kerrigan & Lowdermilk. Thanks to Mom, Dad, and Booey, my family and friends, BoCo Class of 2013, Merri Sugarman and Tara Rubin Casting, Fran Charnas, DGRW and last but not least Mary Saunders and Rodney Bush. For Boldy, my angel of music.

Merritt David Janes
Ensemble, u/s Monsieur André

Originally from Colchester, Vermont, Merritt is a graduate of the Circle in the Square Theatre School in New York City and is an alumnus from the University of Maine (recently awarded the 2012 Spirit of Maine Alumni Achievement Award.) He began his professional career playing the title role in the first Broadway National Tour of the The Wedding Singer as Robbie Hart. Merritt then moved immediately into his second Broadway National Tour in his second consecutive title role as the youngest actor ever to tour the part of the murderous barber Sweeney Todd. He went on to perform in three additional National Tours in the roles of the magical French candelabra, Lumiere, as an original cast member of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Lord Farquaad in Shrek and most recently Carl Hanratty in the First National Tour of Catch Me If You Can. Other previous regional theatrical roles include Little Shop of Horrors (The Dentist), Two Gentleman of Verona (The Duke), Grease (Danny), Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged (Adam) and Tenderloin(Tommy). Merritt has also performed as a classical Tenor soloist with the Vermont Philharmonic and has toured across the USA in addition to four separate European concert tours. He has given past solo performances at Carnegie Hall, Broadway's Beacon Theatre and the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.merrittdavidjanes.com

Amy Justman
Ensemble, u/s Carlotta Giudicelli, u/s Madame Giry

Broadway: Company (Susan), White Christmas. New York: Passion (Clara, Classic Stage Company), The Mikado (Carnegie Hall), Where's Charley, Lost in the Stars, Music in the Air (all Encores!). Regional: The Sound of Music (Maria), Title of Show (Heidi), Spitfire Grill (Shelby). Concerts: Tokyo Philharmonic, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, American Symphony Orchestra, NYC Ballet, Ravinia Festival. TV: Company (PBS' Great Performances). MM, Manhattan School of Music; BA, Yale.

Edward Juvier
Ensemble, u/s Ubaldo Piangi

Edward is beyond grateful to join this new tour of Phantom. A native of Houston, TX, he appeared in the Broadway and National Tour companies of LES MISERABLES. Other NY credits: Fanny (York), Smoking Bloomberg(NYMF, Best of Fest Award), Drat! The Cat! (ODTC), Triumph of Love(AMN). Regionally, Edward has appeared in many theatres across the country including Stages St. Louis, Tuacahn Center for the Arts in Southern Utah, Riverside Theater in Florida, Theatreworks in Palo Alto, Ivoryton Playhouse in Connecticut, Allenberry Playhouse in Central PA and Forestburgh Playhouse in the NY Catskills, among others. Some Regional/Stock credits: Disney's Aladdin (Genie, Regional Premiere), The Drowsy Chaperone (Aldolpho, Kevin Kline Nomination), I Do! I Do!(Michael), Bat Boy (Rick/Lorraine), Guys & Dolls (Nicely-Nicely), Laughter on the 23rd Floor (Max), Man of La Mancha (Sancho Panza), Footloose (Shaw Moore), I Love You...Now Change (Man 2), Oklahoma! (Jud), A Funny...Forum (Pseudolus). His voice has also been featured on the animated series of Pokemon and Fighting Foodons. Special thanks to my family and friends for constant support and encouragement. Edward is a graduate of the Boston Conservatory and lives in New York.

Dustin Layton
Ensemble

Dustin, a Mississippi native, began dancing at age 4 with Sylvia Hennington. He then continued with David Keary at Ballet Mississippi. After attending summer workshops on full scholarship to the School of American Ballet and Boston Ballet, Dustin joined the Boston Ballet as a trainee. One year later, he joined the North Carolina Dance Theatre performing numerous leading roles. In 2011, Dustin joined the Las Vegas production of The Phantom of the Opera. Most recently, Dustin had the honor of making his Broadway debut with The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. Dustin also performed in the Off-Broadway show Silence! The Musical. Dustin is thrilled to be a part of this wonderful production. Proud member AEA. Love to Mom, Dad & Destiney.

Luke Lazzaro
Ensemble

Luke is honored to be touring America as an artiste in the Phantom's Opera! A Brazilian native, Luke came to NYC at age 16 to pursue his dreams and study at the School of American Ballet. He has since become a regular performer in theater, dance, and opera companies throughout the US. Luke joins the Tour directly from performing the role of Adam inMefistofele at the San Francisco Opera. He was an original cast member of the The Phantom of the Opera production designed exclusively for the Venetian in Las Vegas and directed by Hal Prince. Some of his favorite stage credits include the musical Gigi in Jason Alexander's Reprise company (Los Angeles), Oklahoma! (with original dances by Agnes De Mille restaged by Gemze de Lappe) at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at Sacramento Music Circus and playing Levi in the National Tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat produced by Theater of the Stars and the Fox Theater in Atlanta. Loving shout out to my wonderful and ever growing family and a big thanks to the Phantom team for embracing and bringing me along on this amazing journey! Luke is a proud member of Actor's Equity.

Jay Lusteck
Ensemble, u/s Monsieur Firmin, u/s Ubaldo Piangi

Jay is thrilled to be part of this new Tour! Recently on Broadway: A Tale of Two Cities (Original Company, cast recording). NYC/Off Broadway: Pipe Dream (cast recording), Fanny, Juno, Of Thee I Sing, Kismet (City Center Encores!) Damn Yankees (Summer Stars!), The Bells of Christmas andBeowulf (Irish Repertory Theater) and Showboat in concert at Carnegie Hall. National Tours: Deaf West's Big River (Pap/King/Silas) and The Phantom of the Opera 1st & 3rd National Tours (Buquet, u/s Firmin, u/s Piangi). Regionally: 1776 (Richard Henry Lee), Tale of Two Cities, The Full Monty (Dave), The Producers (Mr. Marks, et al), Sweeney Todd(Beadle/Pirelli), The Mikado (Mikado), The Most Happy Fella (Tony). Proud AEA member. Love to Shevhan and Eliza! JayLusteck.com

Katie McCreary
Ensemble, u/s Carlotta Guidicelli

Katie is overjoyed and humbled to be a part of the new tour of The Phantom of the Opera. Katie holds a BA in music from the College of Wooster, where she got her start in classical solo voice, studying with Jim Mismas and singing with the Wooster Chorus under the direction of John Russell. Katie also holds a Masters of Music from THE Ohio State University, where she studied with Dr. Robin Rice. She also studied voice at the University of Missouri Kansas City Conservatory with Dr. Rebecca Sherburn, who incidentally was also Carlotta in the European tour of The Phantom of the Opera.

International tour: Avenue Q. Off-Broadway: Girl's Night: the Musical. Regional: Spring Awakening (Olney Theater Center) Chicago and Smokey Joe's Café (Allenberry Playhouse), Hairspray and Caroline, or Change (PCPA Theaterfest), The Women of Brewster Place and Bare (the Unicorn), Broadway's Best (Quality Hill Playhouse), 1776 (Musical Theatre Heritage), The Sound of Music (The New Theatre), Rent (White Theater), All Shook Up, The Music Man, Godspell (Wagonwheel). Opera credits include The Coronation of Poppea (The Ohio State University), Cosi fan Tutte and Gianni Schicchi (UMKC Conservatory), Dido and Aeneas (Flash Opera),Suor Angelica (Opera Festival di Roma), The Pirates of Penzance (Ohio Light Opera). Thank you FAMILY, especially Mom, Dad and Jessie; FRIENDS, especially John, Katrina, and Anita; and DOGGIES!katiemariemccreary.com

Christy Morton
Ensemble, u/s Madame Giry

National Tours: The Addams Family (u/s Morticia, u/s Alice, u/s Grandma),Dr. Dolittle (u/s Emma) and Cinderella (u/s Queen). NY: A Fine and Private Place (York), Hurricane & Legacy Falls (NYMF) and A Time To Be Born(Fringe). Favorite regional credits include Annie (Grace) at Sacramento Music Circus & North Carolina Theatre, Dames At Sea (Mona Kent) at the Riverside, Emelin & Skylight Opera Theatres, Anything Goes (Hope) at Sacramento, My Fair Lady (Eliza) at the Fulton Opera House, Little Me(Belle) at North Shore Music Theatre and The ALLIANCE THEATRE Co., The Visit (Dr's Wife) at the Signature Theatre DC, Gypsy (Louise) and The Music Man (Marion) at Stages St Louis and The Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Mrs. Claus) in Chicago. Christy holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Michigan and is a proud member of Equity and VocalEase, a volunteer singing group for seniors in the NYC area.

Quinto Ott
Ensemble

Quinto, from Tucson, AZ and graduate of Indiana University, is thrilled to be joining Phantom (the first Broadway show he ever saw!). Recent Credits: Die Zauberflöte (Music Academy of the West), The Mikado, HMS Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance, The Yeomen of the Guard, Ruddigore, Patience, Iolanthe, The Sorcerer, The Grand Duke (New YorK Gilbert and Sullivan Players), Oliver!, Hello, Dolly!, Beauty and the Beast, Meet Me in St. Louis, Crazy For You (Mac-Haydn Theater), IL Barbiere di Siviglia, La Cenerentola (American Landmark Festival), Don Pasquale and Albert Herring scenes (Music Academy of the West). quintoott.com

Eric Ruiz
Ensemble, u/s Phantom, u/s Raoul

Theater: King Lear with Billy Porter (King of France, Knight), Twilight In Manchego (Esau), South Pacific (Lt. Cable), The Who's Tommy (Cousin Kevin). Television: General Hospital, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, The Good Wife. The Phantom of the Opera sparked a childhood dream which was realized when he was cast in this new production. Eric proudly thanks God, his fellows, friends and family for their unending support and love. Say hello: @TheEricMRuiz