New PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Asian Tour Announces Principal Cast

Manila, Philippines-- THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, one of the world's most popular musicals, today announced the three principal cast members for the long-awaited Asian tour. Presented in Manila by PLDT Smart, the musical premieres at The Theatre at Solaire for a limited season from February 20, 2019, and tickets are now on sale through Ticketworld.com.ph.

Following his successful stints as Che in "Evita" and Pharaoh in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," theater star Jonathan Roxmouth returns to play the title role of The Phantom. Joining the tour are Meghan Picerno as the beautiful young soprano Christine and Matt Leisy as Raoul.

Roxmouth's theater credits include Tony in "West Side Story," Sweeney Todd in "Sweeney Todd," Joe Gillis in "Sunset Boulevard" (Montecasino Theatre, Johannesburg / Theatre on the Bay, Cape Town), Judas in "Jesus Christ Superstar," Munkustrap in "Cats," Gaston in "Beauty and the Beast" (Teatro, Johannesburg / Artscape, Cape Town), Lun Tha in "The King and I" (Joburg Theatre, Johannesburg), Buddy Holly in "The Buddy Holly Story," and Teen Angel in "Grease" (Barnyard Theatre). Jonathan is currently touring the world as Billy Flynn in the International Tour of "Chicago."

Picerno played the highly-coveted role of Christine in the US Premiere & 1st National Tour of "Love Never Dies." Theater credits include Cunegonde in "Candide" (New York City Opera/Gran Teatre del Liceu), Olympia in Les Contes d'Hoffmann, Marie in La Fille Du Régiment, La Fée in Cendrillon, Lucia in Lucia di Lammermoor, "The Dreyfus Affair" (Ensemble of the Romantic Century), "Musicals in Mufti: From Berlin to Broadway" (York Theatre Company), Maria in "West Side Story," Amalia in "She Loves Me," Eliza Doolittle in "My Fair Lady," and Johanna in "Sweeney Todd" (Off-Broadway).

Leisy was recently seen in "Sweeney Todd" (Barrow Street Theatre, New York). He also appeared in "A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder" (Broadway First National Tour), "Ragtime," "The 39 Steps," "Witness for the Prosecution" (Bristol Riverside Theatre), "The Fantasticks" (Off-Broadway), "Ken in Red" (Clarence Brown Theatre), Algernon in "The Importance of Being Earnest" (Arizona Theatre Company), Mr Bingley in "Pride and Prejudice" (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park), Scripps in "The History Boys" (Repertory Theatre of St Louis/Arden Theatre - Barrymore Award Nominee), "Carousel" (Lincoln Center), and "Ghostlight" (Signature Theatre).

The Andrew Lloyd Webber blockbuster, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, has won over 70 major theater awards, including seven Tonys on Broadway and four Olivier Awards in the West End. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA became the longest-running show in Broadway history on January 9, 2006, when it celebrated its 7,486th performance, surpassing the previous record holder "Cats." On January 1, 2018, it celebrated its 13,000th performance and later that month on January 24, the Broadway production celebrated an amazing 30 years on Broadway.

"PHANTOM is undoubtedly a musical masterpiece. We are very excited to be able to bring the show back to Manila for its many faithful fans, as well as for those who have never had the chance to see this legendary show," said James Cundall, the Chief Executive Officer of Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, producers of the Asian tour of the production, which also visits Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

With 130 cast, crew and orchestra members, jaw-dropping scenery, breathtaking special effects and more than 230 costumes by the late international designer late Maria Björnson, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA contains some of Webber's most famous and stirring music, including "The Phantom of the Opera," "Think of Me," and "Music of the Night." The original cast recording, with over 40 million copies sold worldwide, is the best-selling cast recording of all time.

Based on the classic novel Le Fantôme de L'Opéra by Gaston Leroux, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA tells the tale of a disfigured musical genius known only as the Phantom who haunts the depths of the Paris Opera House. Mesmerized by the talent and beauty of a young soprano, Christine, the Phantom lures her as his protégé and falls fiercely in love with her. Unaware of Christine's love for Raoul, the Phantom's obsession sets the scene for a dramatic turn of events where jealousy, madness, and passions collide.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, which opened at Her Majesty's Theatre in London's West End on October 9, 1986, starred Michael Crawford as the Phantom and Sarah Brightman as Christine. It is produced by Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Group. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is brought to Manila by Concertus Manila and produced by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions.

Photo: Jonathan Roxmouth

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