Chris Mann and Katie Travis Lead PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, Beginning Tonight at Times-Union Center

Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA makes its premiere Jacksonville engagement at the Times-Union Center. With newly reinvented staging and stunning scenic design, this new version of PHANTOM is performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making this one of the largest productions on tour in North America.

To purchase tickets, visit fscjartistseries.org, call (904) 442-2929 or visit the box office Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Ticket prices start at $38.50.

For more information on the production and a video sneak peek, visit www.ThePhantomOfTheOpera.com/ustour or www.fscjartistseries.org.

Chris Mann will portray the man behind the mask, 'The Phantom,' with Katie Travis as 'Christine Daaé,' Storm Lineberger as 'Raoul,' Jacquelynne Fontaine as 'Carlotta Giudicelli,' David Benoit as 'Monsieur Firmin,' Edward Staudenmayer as 'Monsieur André,' Anne Kanengeiser as 'Madame Giry,' Phumzile Sojola as 'Ubaldo Piangi' and Morgan Cowling as 'Meg Giry.'

Recording artist Chris Mann had his breakout turn on NBC's "The Voice." In 2012, he released his debut solo album "Roads" and followed with his PBS Concert "Chris Mann In Concert: A Mann For All Seasons." Katie Travis has performed principal roles at The Fireside Theater, Liederkranz Opera Theater, The MUNY (LES MISERABLES, Cosette) and won the Lys Symonette Award (Lotte Lenya Competition). Storm Lineberger makes his touring debut in Phantom. He has performed at the Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, New London Barn Playhouse and is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma. Jacquelynne Fontaine's stage and opera credits include The Student Prince (Kathie, Pittsburgh CLO), A Little Night Music (Charlotte, Indiana Rep), La Traviata (Violetta) and was Miss California 2006.

David Benoit's Broadway and National Tour credits include Jekyll & Hyde, Avenue Q, LES MISERABLES, Dance of the Vampires, Young Frankenstein and All Shook Up. Edward Staudenmayer's Broadway credits include Wonderland, Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me and Beauty and the Beast (1st National Tour). Anne Kanengeiser has been seen on Broadway in the original companies of Little Women, Ragtime as well as the third National Tour of The Phantom of the Opera. Phumzile Sojola has been seen on Broadway in Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella (Lord Pinkleton - original cast) and The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess (Peter). Morgan Cowling appeared in Once We Lived Here (Off-Broadway), Disney's Wishes (Original Cast) and Australian productions of Guys and Dolls and Seussical.

The Ensemble includes Krista Buccellato, Nick Cartell, Dan Debenport, Steve Czarnecki, Tynan Davis, Mark Emerson, David Foley, Jr., Celia Hottenstein, Christopher M. Howard, Edward Juvier, Ted Keener, Jay Lusteck, Laura Mann, Kathryn McCreary, Shane Ohmer, Quinto Ott, Rebecca Robbins, Eric Ruiz, Allan Snyder, Travis Taylor and Marguerite Willbanks. The Corps de Ballet includes Sarah DeBiase, Christina Dooling, Julie Eicher, Abigail Mentzer, Lily Rose Peck, Alexandra Pernice, Tara Sweeney and Micki Weiner.

Andrew Lloyd Webber said, "It's wonderful to have a new production of PHANTOM touring America now that the show has celebrated 27 years on Broadway. Director Laurence Connor has done an amazing job and this production has received huge critical acclaim in the U.K."

Cameron Mackintosh said, "With PHANTOM still the reigning champion as the longest-running production on Broadway after 27 phenomenal years, with no end in sight, I'm delighted that this spectacular new production of PHANTOM has been as well-received in the U.S. as the brilliant original. With an exciting new design and staging, retaining Maria Björnson's amazing costumes, the new PHANTOM is thrilling audiences and critics alike all over again -- the music of the night is soaring to dazzling new heights."

Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is presented by Cameron Mackintosh, The Really Useful Group, and NETworks Presentations. Directed by Laurence Connor (who co-directed the new production of LES MISERABLES currently running on Broadway and around the world, as well as the award-winning new production of Miss Saigon now playing in London and coming to Broadway in 2017 and national tour in 2018, and the stage version of the movie School of Rock now playing at Broadway's Winter Garden), with choreography by Scott Ambler, set design by Paul Brown, Tony Award-winning original costume design by Maria Björnson, lighting design by Tony Award-winner Paule Constable, sound design by Mick Potter, and musical supervision by John Rigby. The production is overseen by Matthew Bourne and Cameron Mackintosh. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA: music by Andrew Lloyd Webber; lyrics by Charles Hart (with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe); book by Richard Stilgoe and Andrew Lloyd Webber; orchestrations by David Cullen and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Based on the classic novel Le Fantôme de L'Opéra by Gaston Leroux, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA tells the story of a masked figure who lurks beneath the catacombs of the Paris Opera House, exercising a reign of terror over all who inhabit it. He falls madly in love with an innocent young soprano, Christine, and devotes himself to creating a new star by nurturing her extraordinary talents and by employing all of the devious methods at his command.

Cameron Mackintosh's brilliant original production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA continues performances at Her Majesty's Theatre in London and in its record-breaking run at the Majestic Theatre on Broadway and many other cities around the world.

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