Sierra Boggess' Weekly PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Schedule Announced

The Phantom of the Opera, now in its 26th year on Broadway, will welcome former 'LITTLE MERMAID' co-stars Norm Lewis and Sierra Boggess to the cast on Monday, May 12, at the Majestic Theater. BroadwayWorld has learned that while Lewis will perform in eight shows a week, Boggess will assume the usual 'Christine' schedule of six per week. Boggess will appear in performances Tuesday through Friday, and Saturday nights. Alternate Sara Jean Fordwill perform the role for Saturday matinees and Mondays.

One of this generation's most acclaimed Broadway leading men, Norm Lewis earned 2012 Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League and Outer Critics Circle award nominations and considerable acclaim for his starring performance in The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess. His history with Cameron Mackintosh includes starring as Javert in the 2006 Broadway reimagining of LES MISERABLES and stretches back to making his Broadway debut as John in Miss Saigon. In 2010, he was invited to play Javert in both the original record-breaking West End production of LES MISERABLES and the all-star 25th Anniversary Concert at London's 02 Arena. He's also starred on Broadway in Sondheim on Sondheim, The Little Mermaid, Chicago and the cult classic Side Show, as well as appearing in Amour, The Wild Party and The Who's Tommy. Off-Broadway, he earned an AUDELCO Award and Drama Desk nomination for Desssa Rose and a Drama League nomination for The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Mr. Lewis will become the first African-American performer to star as The Phantom in the New York production. In 1990, Tony Award nominee Robert Guillaume played the role when he succeeded original star Michael Crawford in the Los Angeles production.

Sierra Boggess' unique history with the musical began when she was cast as one of the youngest actresses ever to play Christine Daaé, which she originated in the hit, revised Las Vegas production in 2006. Her performances with the Vegas production and the recent London and New York 25th Anniversaries were greeted with spectacular acclaim. For her special limited engagement with the New York company, she earned a Broadway.com Award. Further cementing her claim with the PHANTOM family, the American performer in London originated the same role in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical sequel to THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, Love Never Dies, earning her a 2011 Olivier Award nomination. In 2011, Ms. Boggess also starred in the original record-breaking London production of LES MISERABLES as Fantine. Her other starring Broadway credits include Terrence McNally's Master Class and originating the title role in Disney's The Little Mermaid (Drama Desk and Drama League nominations and Broadway.com Award for Favorite Breakthrough Performance).

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA currently stars Hugh Panaro in the title role with Mary Michael Patterson as Christine and Jeremy Hays as Raoul. The musical co-stars Laird Mackintosh (Monsieur André), Tim Jerome (Monsieur Firmin), Michele McConnell (Carlotta), Ellen Harvey (Madame Giry), Christian Šebek (Piangi) and Deanna Doyle (Meg Giry). At certain performances, Sara Jean Ford plays Christine.