Michael Crawford to Perform at Chicago's LaSalle Bank Theatre, Reopening May 24

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the reopening of Chicago's LaSalle Bank Theatre--formerly the Shubert Theatre--on May 24th will be celebrated with a performance by no less than Broadway's original Phantom, Michael Crawford.

The reopening and performance will take place at 7:30. The theatre, which is a century old, is currently going through a 14-month, multimillion dollar restoration process.

Crawford, who recently originated the role of Count Fosco in London's The Woman in White, won a Tony Award for creating the title role in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera; he also starred in the show's original London production. Other Broadway credits include Black Comedy/White Lies and Dance of the Vampires, while his London theatre credits include Barnum (for which he received an Olivier Award). On film, he has been seen in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (as Hero), Hello, Dolly! (as Cornelius Hackl), How I Won the War and The Jokers. He has also released numerous concert albums.

Tickets for the one-night-only concert will go on sale Sunday at the Ford Center/Oriental Theatre (24 W. Randolph); at the Cadillac Palace (151 W. Randolph); at (312) 902-1400, and online at www.broadwayinchicago.com.