Left Field Productions, Neil Berg, Adam Friedson and MSC OPAS at Texas A&M University will be presenting the world premiere of The Phantoms of the Opera April 4-5 in Texas A&M University's Rudder Auditorium. In addition to seven Broadway actors, six local performers will be featured in the production along with a chorus of 100 from the Texas A&M choral department. Tickets range from $31-$89 and are on sale now at the MSC Box Office (979-845-1234/www.MSCOPAS.org).
Creator/Producer Neil Berg states, “In our earliest discussions about this project, Anne (Black) and I agreed that we wanted to include local actors, musicians and a huge chorus from the Texas A&M University. As ‘Phantoms’ started taking shape, we indentified parts that would work for local actors. We were very pleased with the level of talent that auditioned for us. We had hard decisions to make.”
The local performers that will be performing in the world premiere are Mark Taylor (TAMU Class of ’87), Mandy Kullman (TAMU Class of ’02), Stephanie Brown (TAMU Class of ’10), Brian Shane, Amy Henss, Joseph Cole, Derrick Lee (TAMU Class of ’12) and Topher Vent.
Of the 100+ chorus, OPAS Executive Director Anne Black explains, “David Kipp, Director of Choral Activities, has been leading the chorus through rehearsals since early March, working with music director Timothy Splain from New York. I’ve had the opportunity to attend the rehearsals and they are indeed making beautiful music. Expect lots of chills when the chorus and the cast join together on April 4th and 5th in Rudder!”
Seated at the piano, Neil Berg will perform with an 8-piece onstage band and narrate the story asking the audience to join the cast in experiencing the finest songs and untold stories behind the great musicals and films inspired by Gaston Leroux's, The Phantom of the Opera. Over 20 songs will be performed including “He Will Not Go Without A Friend” (Mozart), “While Floating High Above” (Bizet), “Born With A Monstrous Countenance” (Verdi), “You Are Music” (Yeston and Kopit) and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Masquerade,” “All I Ask Of You” and “The Phantom Of The Opera.”
The cast or Broadway actors includes:
Brad Little has performed over 2,000 performances playing the most famous character in musical theatre history - Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera. This milestone comes from playing the role on Broadway and in multiple U.S. national and Asian tours. Mr. Little is one of only four actors who have performed the Phantom over 2,000 times. His other Broadway and national tour credits include the recent revival of Evita, Cyrano - the Musical, Fiddler on the Roof and Anything Goes.
Sandra Joseph holds the distinction of being the longest-running leading lady in Broadway’s longest-running show. For ten years, she starred as Christine Daaé in Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera.
Danny Zolli is best known for his monumental number of performances starring as Jesus and Judas in more than 23 productions (including Broadway and six national and international Tours) of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar. Other national and international credits include Evita, Joseph…Dreamcoat, Chess, Sweeney Todd, Candide and many others.
George Lee Andrews recently was featured in the 2012 Broadway revival of Evita starring Ricky Martin. Mr. Andrews holds the Guinness World Record as longest running actor as ‘Monsieur Andre’ in the same Broadway show - The Phantom of the Opera.
Rebecca Pitcher played the role of Christine Daaé for over a year in Broadway’s The Phantom of the Opera. Other credits include ‘Johanna’ (Sweeney Todd), ‘Rose’ (Street Scene), ‘Rapunzel’ (Into the Woods), ‘Monica’ (The Medium), ‘Christine’ (the Yeston-Koppit version of Phantom) and ‘Nimue’ (Camelot).
Dustin Brayley has traveled the world for over a decade with Broadway national tours, symphonies and other concerts. His Broadway national and international tours credits include: ‘Mark’ (Rent), Tony Manero (Saturday Night Fever) and ‘G.I.’ u/s ‘Chris’ Miss Saigon.
Carter Calvert is best known for originating her role in the Tony nominated Broadway hit It Ain’t Nothin’ But The Blues. Other New York and regional credits include Forbidden Broadway, Cats, Smokey Joe’s Café, Always, Patsy Cline, Sunday in the Park with George, A Grand Night for Singing, Kiss Me Kate and many more.
Full biographies of each performer and well as Neil Berg and Marc Kudisch may be read at http://www.mscopas.org/phantomscast.html. Tickets to the world premiere of Neil Berg’s The Phantoms of the Opera are on sale now at the MSC Box Office (979-845-1234) and online at www.MSCOPAS.org.
For Insite's editorial story on Phantoms of the Opera, click here.
