The music of the night will soon be playing once more at the Majestic Theatre when The Phantom of the Opera reopens on Broadway and the cast that will be leading the show has just been revealed. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh today announced complete casting for the New York return of The Phantom of the Opera, the longest-running show in Broadway history. Directed by the late theater legend Harold Prince, Phantom will resume performances on October 22.

Cameron Mackintosh said today, “Never in a million years could we have imagined that all of Broadway would be shuttered for nearly a year and a half, but I am thrilled that at last Phantom will be back where it belongs at the Majestic Theater from October 22nd in all its gorgeous splendor. It has been an extraordinarily difficult time for all the 125 people who bring Phantom to life every performance, so we are all overjoyed to be back rehearsing Broadway’s longest-running musical and eagerly looking forward to the chandelier rising again. In front of a full house in 5 week’s time. So let the audiences in and let the opera begin.”

The cast from March 2020 will return, with the addition of two new principals. Returning to lead the cast are Ben Crawford as The Phantom, Meghan Picerno as Christine Daaé, and John Riddle as Raoul. Also returning in principal roles are Bradley Dean as Monsieur André, Craig Bennett as Monsieur Firmin, Raquel Suarez Groen as Carlotta Giudicelli, Maree Johnson as Madame Giry and Carlton Moe as Ubaldo Piangi.

Joining the production in her Broadway debut is Emilie Kouatchou, who will play the role of Christine Daaé at certain performances. Ms. Kouatchou is the first Black actor to play the role of Christine in the Broadway production. She follows Lucy St. Louis, who became the very first Black actor to play the role when she reopened the London production as Christine last month.

Also joining the cast is Sara Esty as Meg Giry. Having previously performed in the Broadway and national touring productions of An American in Paris, Ms. Etsy had been slated to take over the role in April 2020, prior to the industry shutdown.

They are joined by returning Ensemble members Giselle Alvarez, Polly Baird, Janinah Burnett, Xiaoxiao Cao, David Michael Garry, Chris Georgetti, Kelly Jeanne Grant, Katharine Heaton, Satomi Hofmann, Ted Keegan, Kfir, Kelly Loughran, Scott Mikita, Greg Mills, Justin Peck, Patricia Phillips, Richard Poole, Jessica Radetsky, Janet Saia, Paul A. Schaefer, Carly Blake Sebouhian, Jeremy Stolle, Carrington Vilmont, Jim Weitzer, Elizabeth Welch and Erica Wong.

Andrew Lloyd Webber added, “I am a proud Brit, but Broadway has always been my spiritual home. To have Phantom lead the effort to bring our beloved community back to the stage is a moment of immense pride for me. The only heartache is that Hal will not be with us, but when we all return for our first performance on October 22, I know his spirit will be there, cheering our cast, crew, and orchestra on and welcoming audiences back to The Majestic Theatre.”

As previously announced, the complete Phantom Orchestra – Broadway’s largest – also returns, under the continued musical supervision of David Caddick with the musical’s original, lush orchestrations.

Broadway’s blockbuster phenomenon, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera, directed by the late Harold Prince, is one of the world’s all-time most successful entertainment properties. Produced by Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Group, The Phantom of the Opera has been the longest-running show in Broadway history for well over a decade, and its astounding longevity in New York and around the world is unprecedented. On Broadway alone, the musical has played an unheard of more than 13,000 performances to 19 million people at The Majestic Theatre.

Based on the classic novel Le Fantôme de L’Opéra by Gaston Leroux, The Phantom of the Opera, has music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Charles Hart with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe, and book by Richard Stilgoe and Andrew Lloyd Webber.  It is directed by the late Harold Prince.  Musical staging and choreography is by the late Gillian Lynne. The Phantom of the Opera has production design by the late Maria Björnson, lighting by Andrew Bridge, and sound by Mick Potter with original sound by Martin Levan.  Musical supervision and direction is by David Caddick and orchestrations are by David Cullen and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The Phantom of the Opera is widely considered one of the most beautiful and spectacular productions in history.  Andrew Lloyd Webber’s romantic, haunting, and soaring score includes “The Music of the Night,” “All I Ask of You,” “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again,” “Masquerade” and the iconic title song.  It 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 talents and beauty of the 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.