Photo Flash: First Look at THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA's New 'Christine' Alternate- Mary Michael Patterson

Principal cast changes have been announced for the Broadway production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, the longest-running show in Broadway history. International PHANTOM star Marni Raab will resume performances as the Principal Christine beginning the week of July 29. Ms. Raab has played the leading role of Christine Daaé across the country and around the world and is currently the New York Company's Christine Alternate. (The Principal Christine plays six performances a week with the Christine Alternate playing two.) Her first performance moving back to the Principal Christine will be Tuesday, July 30.

Joining the production in her PHANTOM debut is Mary Michael Patterson, who will play her first performance on Monday, July 29. Ms. Patterson made her Broadway debut in the recent revival of Anything Goes, including being seen as Hope Harcourt. Her other credits include Liesl in The Sound of Music at Carnegie Hall and leading roles in Regional productions of Sense and Sensibility - The Musical (Marianne Dashwood), White Christmas (Judy Haynes) and Singin' in the Rain(Kathy Selden), as well as seasons at Pittsburgh CLO and The St. Louis MUNY. BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at Patterson in action below!

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA became the longest-running show in Broadway history on January 9, 2006 with its 7,486th performance (surpassing the previous record-holder Cats, also by Andrew Lloyd Webber and also produced by Mackintosh). Incredibly, since breaking that record, PHANTOM has played both an additional 7 years and nearly 3,000 performances - which by itself would be a smash hit run for a Broadway musical. It has just become the first show to celebrate 25 Years - an unprecedented milestone in Broadway history - on January 26, 2013.

On Broadway, since its debut on January 26, 1988, The Phantom of the Opera has grossed over $900 million. Even now - as it celebrates its 25th Anniversary Year on Broadway - it is consistently among Broadway's highest-grossing shows and remains a box office champ. Earlier this year, the production shattered the house record at The Majestic by having its best weekly gross in its entire 25-year history. Total attendance is now over 15 million and it continues to play with no end in sight.

The performance schedule for The Phantom of the Opera is Monday evenings at 8PM, Tuesday evenings at 7PM, Wednesday through Saturday evenings at8PM, with matinees on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2PM. Ticket prices range from $27 - $137 with Premium Tickets also available. To order tickets, visitTelecharge.com or call (212) 239-6200.

Photo Credit: Joan Marcus