Andrew Lloyd Webber’s masterpiece at the Raimund Theater
One of the most famous musicals of all time is finally back in Vienna! After the great success of CATS, the Vereinigte Bühnen Wien are presenting another musical world hit by composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. Experience Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, which has never before been seen in German-speaking countries, at the Raimund Theater.
(one intermission)
You can find more information about your visit to the Raimund Theater here:
The Phantom
Anton Zetterholm won the TV casting show ‘Ich Tarzan, Du Jane!’ and subsequently played the leading role in the Disney musical TARZAN. This was followed by engagements as Fiyero in WICKED in Oberhausen, as Alfred in DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES in Berlin and as Crown Prince Rudolf in ELISABETH at the Raimund Theater in Vienna. In 2013, he made his West End debut as Enjolras in LES MISÉRABLES in London. In 2015, he was a judge on the TV show ‘Got to Dance’. He played Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny, in the Swedish revival of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. He sang Tony in WEST SIDE STORY (Magdeburg, Dortmund, Malmö), Joe in PARAMOUR (Hamburg) and in DISNEY'S BROADWAY HITS (Royal Albert Hall, London). Most recently, he could be seen in CHICAGO in Bonn, in LADY BESS in St. Gallen and in BERLIN SKANDALÖS in Dortmund, as well as on the DISNEY IN CONCERT – DREAMS COME TRUE concert tour. His first album, ‘For Good’, was released in 2022 and features duets from well-known musicals sung together with his wife Harriet Jones. Alongside his role as DAS PHANTOM DER OPER, Anton Zetterholm is currently also playing Tony in WEST SIDE STORY at the Volksoper in Vienna.
Christine Daaé
Lisanne Clémence Veeneman is a Dutch singer, actress and dancer. She took singing, acting, dancing and piano lessons from the age of six. Originally from Amsterdam, Lisanne received her BFA in musical theatre from the Fontys Conservatorium, with minors in education and vocal performance. During her studies, she received During her stay in New York, she also took an American dialect course. Lisanne was a member of the ensemble and played Cosette in the Dutch-Flemish tour production of LES MISÉRABLES, Beth March in the Dutch national production of She has also appeared on stage as Rosa Bud in THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, as a member of the ensemble in ANYONE CAN WHISTLE and as Anastasia in THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV. She is now making her debut in Vienna as Christine Daaé in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.
Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny / Cover The Phantom
In 2012, Roy began taking classes in classical ballet and modern dance at Codarts in Rotterdam, as well as pre-training in musical theatre at Fontys Conservatorium in Tilburg. In 2014, the Dutchman began his bachelor's degree in musical theatre, also at Fontys Conservatorium, which he completed in 2018. Roy received singing lessons from Edward Hoepelman and Ivar Costenoble, and his mentors in acting included Marc Krone, Roeland Vos and Brigitte Odette. While still training, Roy appeared in various musicals in Tilburg, including as Fyedka in ANATEVKA, as Javert in LES MISÉRABLES and as Thomas Andrews in TITANIC. In Germany, he was the original Tony Manero in SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER in Schwäbisch Hall. He appeared on stage in Darmstadt as Chuck and Cowboy Bob in FOOTLOOSE and as Gremio and Hortensio in KISS ME, KATE. In Bonn, he was Action and Cover Tony in WEST SIDE STORY. Roy was also a featured soloist in BERNSTEIN DANCES at the Hamburg State Opera. In Vienna, Roy was part of the ensemble in MISS SAIGON and covered the role of John. He was also part of the ensemble in DISNEY'S THE MAGIC OF THE NIBBLES and covered the role of Phoebus de Martin.
Monsieur André
Rob Pelzer received his training in Amsterdam and London. In his native country of the Netherlands, he appeared in THE LION KING, REX (Rex) and CISKE DE RAT, among others. At the VBW, he played in the world premiere of MOZART! (Wolfgang Mozart, alternating) and in THE PRODUCERS (Carmen Ghia). He also appeared in Vienna in BOEING BOEING and EIN WENIG FARBE. In Nuremberg and Darmstadt he played Carl Hanratty in CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, in Munich he played Dufayel in AMÉLIE and in Graz he played Nathan Detroit in GUYS AND DOLLS. He was the hospital ghost in GHOST in Linz and Hamburg. In Dortmund he appeared in SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD, BERLIN SKANDALÖS and CABARET (emcee). At the same time, he also played the emcee in CABARET in Düsseldorf. In Bad Hersfeld he appeared in GOETHE! (Father) and JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (King Herod). As a founding member of the musical division in Linz, he has appeared in more than 20 productions, including BABYTALK (Robert), LES MISÉRABLES (Thénardier), COMPANY (Bobby), GRAND HOTEL (Kringelein), INTO THE WOODS (Baker) and BETTY BLUE EYES (Gilbert Chilvers). In 2017, he received the Richard Tauber Medal there and the German Musical Theatre Prize for his role as Passepartout in IN 80 DAYS AROUND THE WORLD.
Monsieur Firmin
Carlotta Giudicelli
Milica Jovanović completed her musical theater studies with distinction at the Bayerische Theaterakademie August Everding and also studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London. She then spent five years as a soloist at the Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz in Munich, playing leading roles in musicals, operettas and operas. Milica's greatest successes include her interpretation of Winifred Banks in MARY POPPINS, Christine Daaé in the first German-language concert performance of LIEBE STIRBT NIE and Eleonore Schikaneder in the world premiere of SCHIKANEDER at the Vereinigte Bühnen Wien. At the Salzburg Landestheater she played Maria in THE SOUND OF MUSIC and Elisabeth in the world premiere of MEINE STILLE NACHT at the Felsenreitschule. At the Seefestspiele Mörbisch, Milica appeared as Anna in THE KING AND ME and as Rosie in MAMMA MIA! Other venues have included Theater Dortmund, the Bad Hersfeld Festival, Operettenhaus and Theater an der Elbe Hamburg, Theater St. Gallen, WDR Funkhaus, Bühne Baden, Freilichtspiele Tecklenburg and Staatstheater Nürnberg. Most recently, she played the leading role of EVITA at Theater Magdeburg.
Ubaldo Piangi/ Cover Das Phantom
Greg Castiglioni is a graduate of the Mountview Conservatory in London. With engagements in operettas, plays, concerts and musicals (including five by Andrew Lloyd Webber), he has performed in a total of ten countries in addition to London's West End over the course of his 25-year career. His most notable roles include Count Fosco in the first revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE WOMAN IN WHITE, which earned him an Offie nomination for Best Leading Actor; Thomas Andrews in the London, touring and Toronto productions of TITANIC (Broadway World nomination for Best Leading Actor) and the Emcee in the English Theatre Frankfurt's production of CABARET. Other roles include Gus/Growltiger/Bustopher Jones in CATS, Magaldi in EVITA, Rusty in STARLIGHT EXPRESS, Thénardier in LES MISÉRABLES, Paul in COMPANY, Algernon Moncrieff in ERNST SEIN IST ALLES/Oscar Wilde, Luiz in DIE GONDOLIERI (Opera della Luna) and Pluto in ORPHEUS IN DER UNTERWELT. He can be heard on the soundtrack of the “Mamma Mia!” film and sang the backing vocals for the 2017 tour of the singer Adele. Greg is half English, half Italian, speaks four languages and has a law degree from the University of Westminster in London.
Madame Giry
Patricia Nessy comes from Trier and is a graduate of the Vienna Conservatory (MUK Private University). In 1993 she won the national singing competition in Berlin. Over 50 roles from opera, operetta and musicals have taken her to various theaters in Germany and Austria in her 30-year career. Her most important roles were the Queen of the Night, Hannah Glawari, Sylva Varescu, Clivia, Frau Luna in classical music and Lilli Vanessi, Fantine, Sally Bowles, Fanny Brice, Eliza Doolittle, Mabel Normand, Evita, Maria Magdalena, Elisabeth and Aldonza/Dulcinea in musicals. She received the Berlin Art Prize for her Mabel in PIRATES at the Theater des Westens in Berlin. Her last productions were Dolly in HELLO DOLLY! and Liliane La Fleur in the musical NEUN at Bühne Baden and Frau Luna, as well as Adelaide at the Lehárfestival Bad Ischl. Concerts have taken her to countries such as Russia, Japan, England (Royal Albert Hall), Scandinavia and America (Carnegie Hall, Dolby-Theatre Hollywood). There she has performed with the Dallas, Toronto, Montreal and Royal Symphony Orchestras. Patricia Nessy has been teaching at the Music and Arts University of Vienna (MUK) for two years.
Meg Giry
Laura May Croucher's love of dance began at the age of two when she started ballet lessons in her home town in Cumbria, England. Throughout her youth she continued to train and perform with Cumbria Dance, Cumbria Youth Dance Company and Hammond Associates. Dance became the focus of her life. At the age of 16, Laura May began professional dance training at Hammond School in Chester, England, graduating in 2018 with a Level 6 Diploma in Professional Dance and an LCM Diploma in Musical Theater Singing. From 2018 to 2019 she received her first professional contract with Stage Entertainment in Hamburg as Nymph/Ensemble in MARY POPPINS - THE MUSICAL. This was followed in 2019 by a role in DANCE OF THE VAMPIRE as the Cover Red Boots solo/ensemble at the Metronom Theater Oberhausen and then at the Palladium Theater Stuttgart until summer 2022. She then joined the ensemble of MAMMA MIA! until the end of the 2023 season. She is now making her Austrian debut in the role of Meg Giry.
Madame Firmin/ Ensemble/ Cover Madame Giry
Birgit Arquin comes from Baden and completed her training at the Music and Arts Private University of the City of Vienna. She has already appeared there in DAS LÄCHELN EINER SOMMERNACHT, ANYTHING GOES and THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE. This was followed by engagements including in THE PRODUCERS at the Admiralspalast Berlin, WEST SIDE STORY (Rosalia) and ANNIE (Sternchen und Lilly) at Bühne Baden, VICTOR/ VICTORIA at the Stockerau Open Air Festival, ANATEVKA (Zeitel) at Vereinigte Bühnen Bozen, IM WEISSEN RÖSSL (Ottilie), NON(N)SENS (Sister Mary Leo), EVITA at Vereinigte Bühnen Wien, ANNE OF GREEN GABLES (Rachel Lynd) at Stadttheater Mödling and CHICAGO (as Swing) at TDW Berlin, among others. at the TDW Berlin. As Bombalurina, she has already been seen in the original production of CATS on tour in German-speaking countries and from 2019 to 2022 at the Ronacher in Vienna. She can also be heard in this role on the new complete German recording of CATS.
Garderobiere/ Ensemble/ Cover Madame Giry
Eva Maria Bender completed her musical theater studies in Hamburg and Florida. Since then she has appeared on stage in numerous major productions, including as Donna and Rosie in MAMMA MIA! as alternate Grizabella, Gumbie/Jenny Fleckenreich, and cover Jellylorum/Griddlebone in CATS, as cover Madame Giry in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, as Helene von Wittelsbach and Countess Esterházy in ELISABETH, as Madame in DISNEY'S THE GLORIOUS OF NOTRE DAME, in JEKYLL & HYDE, as Sister Bloody Mary in SISTER ACT, Madame Pottine and Madame de la Grande Bouche in Disney's THE BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, as the narrator in JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, as Madame Thénardier in LES MISÉRABLES, Maria Magdalena in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and as Rebecca and Magda in DANCE OF THE VAMPIRE. In addition to appearances in film and TV, Eva is also a lecturer in singing and song interpretation, including at the Berlin University of the Arts.
Auktionator/ Ensemble/ Cover Monsieur Firmin
The singer and actor trained in Düsseldorf and Cologne and performed roles such as Papageno (DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE), the Father (HÄNSEL UND GRETEL), Prince Ottokar (DER FREISCHÜTZ), Gabriel von Eisenstein (DIE FLEDERMAUS), Kolomán Zsupán (DER ZIGEUNERBARON) and Baron Weps (DER VOGELHÄNDLER) at various municipal theaters. The baritone then expanded his repertoire to include musical and acting roles such as Alfred P. Doolittle (MY FAIR LADY), Thénardier (LES MISÉRABLES), Eddie/Dr. Scott (THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW), Lady Bracknell (ERNST SEIN IST ALLES) and the Public Prosecutor in Ferdinand von Schirach's TERROR. Most recently, he played Doctor Dillamond and the Wizard of Oz in the new production of WICKED at Stage Theater Neue Flora, Antipholus of Ephesus in THE BOYS FROM SYRACUSE at Theater Erfurt and Monsignor O'Hara in the Hamburg production of SISTER ACT.
Soldat/ Ensemble/ Cover Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny
Jev Davis studied at the Jane Jarrett School of Dancing as a child before completing his training at the Urdang Academy. There he took on the role of Anatoly in CHESS and was subsequently engaged by Crystal Cruises and the THE SOUND OF MUSICAustralia tour. He then appeared on stage for the first time in German-speaking countries as Cesar in SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER. This was followed by engagements as Cover Schwarzer Vampir in TANZ DER VAMPIRE, as Swing in ICH WAR NOCH NIEMALS IN NEW YORK and as Diesel in WEST SIDE STORY at the Staatstheater Nürnberg. He first appeared in Austria in 2020 as Rusty Charlie and Dance Captain in GUYS AND DOLLS at the Graz Opera. He has been performing at the Raimund Theater since 2021 and, after MISS SAIGON and JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, was last seen there in REBECCA as Robert and Cover Giles.
Hannibals Wache/ Ensemble
Brodie Donougher's passion for musical theater began at the age of eleven when he took on the title role of Billy in BILLY ELLIOT - THE MUSICAL for a two-year season on the West End in his native England. Brodie went on to study ballet at Elmhurst Ballet School and was featured in the BBC documentary “One Day That Changed My Life”. In 2020, Brodie moved to the USA to continue his training at the San Francisco Ballet School. He rose to Trainee with the San Francisco Ballet and danced in THE NUSSKNACKER, DON QUIXOTE and SCHWANENSEE in the 2021/22 season. At the age of 19, Brodie moved to Grand Rapids Ballet (Michigan) for the 2022/23 season, where he appeared on stage as a rookie in REMEMBER OUR SONG by Broadway choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler. This role awakened Brodie's desire to return to his musical roots. He returned to the UK and was engaged in the West End Christmas production of THE SNOWMAN in 2023.
Confidante/ Ensemble/ Cover Carlotta Giudicelli
The critically acclaimed Palestinian-American soprano Amal El-Shrafi has quickly gained a foothold in both opera and musical theater and has established herself as a versatile artist. For two seasons, Amal El-Shrafi performed on the high seas aboard the cruise ship Regal Princess, playing the lead role of the opera diva in the celebrated Princess Cruise Lines show BRAVO. Her most recent roles and performances in opera and concert include Santuzza (CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA), Nedda (PAGLIACCI), Antonia (LES CONTES D'HOFFMANN), Rosalinde (DIE FLEDERMAUS), the soprano solo in Beethoven's 9th Symphony, and several world premieres of modern operas in New York City and Boston. Amal El-Shrafi has already performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, at Boston Lyric Opera and with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and was invited to the Metropolitan Opera's competition for young artists.
Passarino/ Ensemble/ Cover Monsieur André/ Cover Ubaldo Piangi
The Austrian completed his training at the Stage School Hamburg. Since then, he has appeared in numerous roles, including Herbert in DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES, Giles and Maxim de Winter in REBECCA, Charles Clarke and Thomas Andrews in TITANIC, Fred and Stuart in I WAS NEVER IN NEW YORK, and the roles of Prince of Schwarzenberg and Franz Joseph in ELISABETH. At the VBW, he appeared, among other roles, as Toby in THE VISIT, as the School Inspector in DON CAMILLO & PEPPONE, in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, in I AM FROM AUSTRIA, as the Walk-In Count von Krolock in DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES and as Munkustrap, Gus and Old Deuteronimus in CATS. Other engagements have included Jekyll & Hyde, Grand Hotel, Show Boat, Mass, Aramis in The Three Musketeers, Gints in Doctor Zhivago, and Harry in Mamma Mia! He has presented very successful solo evenings and most recently appeared on stage at the Raimund Theater as Giles and cover for Frank Crawley in Rebecca.
Ensemble / Hannibals Wache
Luca Giaccio was born in Naples. In 1998, he began his training at the Teatro San Carlo ballet school under the direction of Anna Razzi. After graduating, he first danced in the ballet at the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma under the artistic direction of Carla Fracci and Beppe Menegatti, and from 2008 to 2011 in various companies, such as the Angel Corella Ballet in Segovia, the Víctor Ullate Ballet in Madrid, the Compañía Ballet Carmen Roche in Spain, the National Ballet of Cuba (director: Alicia Alonso) and the Arena di Verona Ballet (director: Renato Zanella). In 2006, he won first prize at the “Positano Premia la Danza - Léonide Massine” competition (director: Alberto Testa) with an excerpt from Rudolf Nureyev's SLEEPING BEAUTY. 2 014, Luca Giaccio joined the Bavarian State Ballet, where he remained until the 2017–2018 season and again in the 2021–2022 season as a group dancer. In addition to guest performances in Munich, he has appeared in various music theater productions, including ANASTASIA at the Palladium Theater Stuttgart and the AFAS Circustheater in Scheveningen (Netherlands), GISELLE at the Teatro Lirico in Cagliari, in MASQUERADE at the Frankfurt Opera and in THE NUTCRACKER at the Bühne Baden near Vienna. The highlights of his career include productions such as DEATH OF NARCISSUS (choreography: Alicia Alonso, Ballet Nacional de Cuba), DGV: DANSE À GRANDE VITESSE (choreography: Christopher Wheeldon, New New York City Center), BIRTHDAY OFFERING (choreography: Frederick Ashton), SLEEPING BEAUTY (choreography: Rudolf Nureyev) and the pas de deux from AGON and WHO CARES? by George Balanchine. At the Gärtnerplatztheater, he was a guest in various productions during the 2022/2023 season: THE RAKE'S PROGRESS (director and choreographer: Adam Cooper), THE GRAND DUCHESS VON GEROLSTEIN (director: Josef E. Köpplinger, choreography: Adam Cooper), LUISA MILLER (director: Torsten Fischer) and FIGAROS HOCHZEIT (director: Josef E. Köpplinger). In 2023–2024, Luca Giaccio will be a guest at the Bavarian State Ballet again.
Corps de Ballet/ Ensemble
Born in Portugal, Ema graduated from the University of Dance Alicia Alonso in Madrid with a degree in “Choreography and Interpretation of Classical Dance”. As part of the Junior Company of this institution, she had the opportunity to perform in many pieces from the classical ballet repertoire. In 2019, she also completed a master's degree in cultural management at the URJC. From 2019-2022, Ema danced with the European Ballet as a soloist in MADAME BUTTERFLY, MYTHOS COCO, FARINELLI, BEST OF PETER BREUER ( choreography: Peter Breuer); BOLERO (choreography: Michael Kropf) as well as BOLERO and WOLFGANG AMADÉ (choreography: Renato Zanella) and toured with them throughout Europe. She also danced MADAME BUTTERFLY at the Vienna State Opera and took part in the SALUT TO VIENNA tour of Canada. In 2022/23, Ema danced for the Vienna Residence Orchestra and appeared as a guest artist in Giorgio Madia's DER NUSSKNACKER at the Staatstheater Cottbus.
Prinzessin/ Ensemble/ Cover Christine Daaé
Leonie Kappmeyer studied musical theater at the Fontys Conservatory in Tilburg, where she received singing lessons from Edward Hoepelman and Ingrid Zeegers. This was followed by a master's degree with a scholarship at the Royal Academy of Music in London, under the direction of Dan Bowling and Mary Hammond. In addition to her musical studies, she also pursued a second degree in classical singing there. For her portrayal of Margaret Johnson in THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, she was awarded the “DipRAM Prize for Outstanding Performance in a Final Performance” by the Royal Academy. Leonie was part of Sondheim's Old Friends in the West End, sang in Maria Friedman & Friends at the Menier Chocolate Factory and took on the role of Lorna in the world premiere of the musical Sisters at the Mill Theatre in Dublin. In 2023, she appeared as Sally Bowles in the musical Cabaret at both the Volkstheater Rostock and the Schauspielhaus Leipzig.
Prinzessin/ Ensemble/ Cover Christine Daaé
Lillian Maandag, who is from the Netherlands, completed her studies in musical theater at the Fontys Academy of the Arts in Tilburg, where she received singing lessons from Edward Hoepelman and Ingrid Zeegers, among others. After her studies, she began her career in Vienna, where she was a member of the ensemble and covered the role of Maria Anna Miller in the world premiere of SCHIKANEDER at the Raimund Theater. She played Nannerl in MOZART! in Antwerp and appeared in ZUCKER! at the Luisenburg Festival in Wunsiedel. Since 2020, she has been forming the classical crossover trio LUNEDÌ with her sisters. Lillian Maandag already appeared at the Raimund Theater last season, where she covered the female lead in REBECCA, among other roles.
Don Attilio/ Ensemble
The California-born singer had regular engagements in opera productions in America, Europe and Canada before discovering his love for musicals. He appeared as a featured soloist in the dance show RIVERDANCE and then played the role of Tito Suarez and was the singing soloist in DIRTY DANCING in Berlin and Oberhausen. At the Landestheater Linz he could be seen as the Cowardly Lion in the musical THE WIZ and as an ensemble member in SHOW BOAT. In Hamburg he appeared on stage as Pumbaa in THE LION KING and as André Koffi in MONSIEUR CLAUDE AND HIS DAUGHTERS (St. Pauli Theater), and at the Theater Chemnitz as Pastor Shaw Moore in FOOTLOOSE. Most recently, he was on tour in German-speaking and European countries with GHOST – NACHRICHT VON SAM (hospital ghost), MEMPHIS (Bobby Dupree) and SPONGEBOB (Mr. Krabs). In addition to his work as an actor, he also works as a singing teacher.
Corps de Ballet/ Ensemble/ Cover Meg Giry
Emma is an actress, dancer and singer from Melbourne, Australia. She made her musical theater debut as a corps de ballet dancer and cover Meg Giry in the record-breaking Australian tour of Cameron Mackintosh's PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, where she performed at the Sydney Opera House and Arts Centre Melbourne in 2022/23. Emma was educated at the Australian Ballet School and toured as a dancer with the Australian She danced soloist roles in Maina Gielgud's GISELLE and Sir Peter Wright's THE NUTCRACKER, as well as in the corps de ballet in classical and contemporary ballets such as Graeme Murphy's SWAN LAKE, Christopher Wheeldon's ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND and Alexei Rat
Friseur / Ensemble/ Cover Das Phantom/ Cover Ubaldo Piangi
Robert Meyer received his diploma from the Hamburg Stage School of Music, Dance and Drama. During his musical career, he has appeared in, among others: DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES (Count von Krolock, ensemble), LES MISERABLES (Javert, ensemble), REBECCA (Jack Favell), SHREK (Lord Farquaad), SPAMALOT (Patsy), LOVE NEVER DIES – PHANTOM II (The Phantom, ensemble), WE WILL ROCK YOU (Brit, Kashoggi, Dieter), RENT (Roger), Bernstein's MASS, THE MAN FROM LA MANCHA, CHESS, SWEENEY TODD , IRMA LA DOUCE, LA BELLE BIZARRE DU MOULIN ROUGE, ELISABETH – DIE LEGENDE EINER HEILIGEN, CHARLEMAGNE - KARL DER GROSSE, BONIFATIUS, ROCK OP PLATT (at the Ohnsorg Theater Hamburg). He also appears regularly as a soloist in various gala productions.
Hannibals Wache/ Ensemble
Matthew Petty studied dance and theater at Bird College, graduating with a First Class BA (Hons) in 2012. In 2014, he took part in the international tour of Matthew Bourne's SWAN LAKE with New Adventures, and has also performed in Matthew Bourne's CINDERELLA (2018), Matthew Bourne's ROMEO AND JULIET (2019, first cast), and Matthew Bourne's THE RED SHOES (2020), both in the UK and internationally. His other ballet performances include the leading role of Albrecht in Giselle with Ballet Ireland (2017). His career also includes performances in operas with productions such as LUISA MILLER and KÁˇTA KABANOVÁ for the world-famous Glyndebourne Opera (2021) and in two seasons of MADAME BUTTERFLY at the Bregenz Festival (2022/2023). He makes his professional musical debut in Vienna with DAS PHANTOM DER OPER.
Corps de Ballet/ Ensemble
Danielle Shani Raffoul began dancing in her hometown of Montreal at the age of four. She dedicated herself to the art form professionally from 2009, training with Paula Urrutia for a decade. At Ballet Montreal, she studied numerous classical repertoire roles and performed as Kitri, Médora, Princess Aurora and in other roles. She always complemented her classical training with other dance disciplines, as she values versatility. She also took intensive summer courses in the United States, including at The Rock School, Hubbard Street and Alvin Ailey. She is certified in the advanced level II Cecchetti method. After graduating, Danielle danced in the second season of the Canadian show RÉVOLUTION before moving to Austria to join the European Ballet, where she performed from 2019 to 2022.
Joseph Buquet/ Ensemble
Born in Richmond, Virginia (USA), Steven Ralph studied singing at Virginia Commonwealth University. He furthered his acting and vocal work in New York with Brad Fleischer and Deric Rosenblatt. In 2021, Steven Ralph came to Vienna, where he continued his vocal work with Previn Moore. His professional experience includes various performances in musicals such as FOOTLOOSE, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, GREASE in the USA and as Riff-Raff in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW at the Vereinigte Bühnen Bozen. In the field of spoken theatre, he has appeared as Lent in TELL ME HOW YOU DID IT and as the Narrator in CRY IT OUT. In Vienna, he sang in the Arnold Schönberg Choir at the Theater an der Wien in opera productions such as THE CLEVER VIXEN and BELSHAZZAR. In 2023, he appeared in the production BEYOND THE OVERFLOW as part of the ImPulsTanz Festival.
Corps de Ballet/ Ensemble/ Cover Meg Giry
Corps de Balett/ Ensemble
Samantha Rodulfo trained at the London Studio Centre and graduated in 2016 with a First Class BA Honours Degree in Theatre Dance. Since then, she has performed with renowned ballet companies in the UK and abroad, including English National Ballet (THE NUTCRACKER/London Coliseum), the Russian State Ballet Siberia, at the Varna State Opera, with the Vienna Festival Ballet and Ballet Theatre UK. Her classical repertoire includes SWAN LAKE, CINDERELLA, SLEEPING BEAUTY (Princess Aurora), COPPELIA, ROMEO AND JULIET, GISELLE, ALICE IN WONDERLAND and DON QUIXOTE. Over the last three Christmases, she has also danced the role of the Ice Princess in the West End production of THE SNOWMAN. Samantha's other theatre credits include WEST SIDE STORY, LOVE NEVER DIES, PRINCE IGOR, the Oxford International Song Festival and the JOHANN STRAUSS GALA (UK tour).
Corps de Ballet/ Ensemble
Lowri Shone trained at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts and the English National Ballet School. During her studies, she performed in THE NUTCRACKER (Northern Ballet) and LE CORSAIRE (American Ballet Theatre) and danced the role of Young Clara in Wayne Eagling's THE NUTCRACKER for English National Ballet. After her training, she appeared in MY FIRST BALLET: COPPELIA with English National Ballet; as a dancer in the Disney film ‘The Nutcracker and the Four Realms’, 2018; in FAUST with the Royal Opera at the Royal Opera House and in Japan, as well as INALA and VOICES OF THE AMAZON by The Sisters Grimm at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London. She was a soloist in CAPRICCIO at Garsington Opera and danced the lead role of Clara at Brecon Festival Ballet for several seasons. Lowri has worked with several prominent choreographers, including Mark Baldwin, Helen Pickett, Liam Scarlett and Zhonging Fang.
Juwelier/ Ensemble/ Cover Ubaldo Piangi
Marco Trespioli completed his musical studies at the Bernstein School of Musical Theater in Bologna and his opera training at the A. Vivaldi Conservatory in Alessandria (Italy). He toured Italy in the musicals SHREK – THE MUSICAL (ensemble) and SISTER ACT (Eddie); he played Marius in LES MISÉRABLES at the Teatro Comunale di Bologna and Magaldi in EVITA. In Switzerland, he could be seen in TITANIC and DIE SCHÖNE UND DAS BIEST on the Walensee stage. He sang Alfredo in the European premiere of PRETTY WOMAN – THE MUSICAL in Hamburg and was a Comedian Harmonist in BERLIN BERLIN (Berlin and on a national tour). In 2022/23 he was a guest singer at the Pfalztheater Kaiserslautern in SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD (Mann 1) and TROUBLE IN TAHITI (member of the jazz trio). In 2023 he played Count Almaviva in the German premiere of I DUE FIGARO by Saverio Mercadante at the Hamburg Chamber Opera.
Monsieur Reyer/ Ensemble/ Cover Monsieur André
Timo Verse received his training at the Konservatorium Wien (MUK). Most recently, he appeared on stage in REBECCA and as Annas in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at the Raimund Theater. Prior to that, his engagements took him from the Ronacher, where he appeared as TJ in SISTER ACT and in EVITA, to Klagenfurt for ANNIE GET YOUR GUN and to St. Gallen for the world premiere of MATTERHORN as Lord Francis Douglas. He was engaged several times by the Volksoper, among others for THE WIZARD OF OZ, as Tobias in SWEENEY TODD and for HELLO, DOLLY!. At the same time, he played the title role in THIMM THALER in Darmstadt. He could also be seen in DER BESUCH DER ALTEN DAME in Thun, in MARGUERITE at the Saarland State Theatre, in A CHORUS LINE in Stockerau and Klagenfurt and as Jancsi in VIKTORIA UND IHR HUSAR in Mörbisch.
Monsieur Lefèvre/ Ensemble/ Cover Monsieur Firmin
Dean Welterlen is originally from California and studied acting at USC in Los Angeles before coming to Vienna for CATS. He is also known to Viennese audiences from LES MISÉRABLES, ELISABETH, GREASE, DIE SCHÖNE UND DAS BIEST, TANZ DER VAMPIRE, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, DER BESUCH DER ALTEN DAME, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and DON CAMILLO & PEPPONE. At the Freilichtspiele Tecklenburg, he was engaged as a director for JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, HAIR, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, AIDA, FOOTLOOSE, MIAMI NIGHTS and DRACULA and as a leading actor for MY FAIR LADY, KISS ME, KATE and LES MISÉRABLES. In Austria, he directed the musicals TUTANCHAMUN, GUSTAV KLIMT, EGON SCHIELE, BLOOD BROTHERS and INTO THE WOODS. He also appeared in world premieres such as DER GRAF VON MONTE CHRISTO, DON CAMILLO & PEPPONE and MATTERHORN at the Theater St. Gallen and in IN NOMINE PATRIS in Munich in leading roles. Most recently, he played leading roles in MAMMA MIA! in Oberhausen, ZUSTÄNDE WIE IM ALTEN ROM at the Tschauner-Bühne in Vienna and in TITANIC at the Musiktheater Linz.
Swing
Dutch-born Fleur Alders completed her training in musical theatre at the Codarts University of the Arts in Rotterdam (NL). While still a student, she was engaged as Magda and Rebecca in DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES (Berlin, Munich, Stuttgart) in 2016, both as a member of the ensemble and as a cover. From 2017 she could be seen as Marge and cover Trish in KINKY BOOTS (Hamburg). This was followed by Georgette/Sylvie in THE FABULOUS WORLD OF AMÉLIE (Munich). Another engagement should lead her to I WAS NEVER IN NEW YORK as Frau Menzel and cover Frau Dünnbügel (Berlin and tour), but the production had to be cancelled due to Covid-19. In 2021/2022 she appeared as Cover Mother Superior and On Stage Swing in THE SOUND OF MUSIC (Stage Entertainment Netherlands). At the Freilichtspiele Schwäbisch Hall she could be seen in SISTER ACT and WIE IM HIMMEL in summer 2023.
Swing/ Cover Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny
Niels Bouwmeester begann sein Musiktheaterstudium am Fontys Conservatorium. Er erhielt Gesangsunterricht bei Edward Hoepelman, Katrien Verheijden u.a. Sein Masterstudium beendete er an der Royal Academy of Music/University of London mit Auszeichnung. Hier wurde er von Daniel Bowling, Mary Hammond, Mary King und John Caird unterrichtet und absolvierte Meisterklassen bei Claude Michel Schönberg, Imelda Staunton, Hadley Fraser, Jamie Lloyd u. a. Während seines Studiums konnte er mit dem ursprünglichen Kreativteam des Musicals BROKEN WINGS in der Rolle des Ghibran an der neuen Version des Stückes arbeiten. Sein professionelles Debüt gab Niels mit einem Konzert von Scott Allan (SCOTT ALLAN AND FRIENDS). Es folgte eine Europatournee von DAS SPONGEBOB MUSICAL. Bevor er nach Wien zog, um die Arbeit an DAS PHANTOM DER OPER aufzunehmen, beendete er ein Engagement bei den nationalen Tourneen von LES MISÉRABLES in Holland und Belgien.
Swing
Silke Braas-Wolter studierte Schulmusik im Hauptfach Violine an der Folkwang Universität der Künste in Essen. Parallel dazu erhielt sie ihre Ausbildung zur Musical-Darstellerin an der Stella-Academy in Hamburg. Es folgten zahlreiche Engagements in verschiedenen Großproduktionen und Stadttheatern im deutschsprachigen Raum u. a. in MAMMA MIA! (Sophie, Lisa), AIDA (Amneris), WE WILL ROCK YOU (Ozzy, Scaramouche), JEKYLL & HYDE (Lisa Carew), GIGI (Liane d’Exelmans), TITANIC – DAS MUSICAL (Madame Aubert), ROCKY (Adrian, Gloria), TANZ DER VAMPIRE, MATTERHORN, SISTER ACT, PRISCILLA und als Solistin in den Poporatorien DIE 10 GEBOTE und LUTHER. Bei den Vereinigten Bühnen Wien war sie bisher in ELISABETH, REBECCA (Cover Ich), RUDOLF – AFFAIRE MAYERLING (Cover Kronprinzessin Stephanie) EVITA und zuletzt wieder bei REBECCA (Beatrice) engagiert. Bei den Seefestspielen Mörbisch war sie zudem als Walk in-Cover Anna Leonowens in DER KÖNIG UND ICH und Walk in-Cover Donna in MAMMA MIA! zu erleben.
Swing/ Dance Captain/ Cover Meg Giry
Born in Klagenfurt, Julia Hübner received singing and dancing lessons at an early age. After a stay abroad at the Elmhurst Ballet School of the Birmingham Royal Ballet, she completed her training as a classical dancer in Vienna. She then graduated from the Performing Academy. At a young age, she appeared in LES MISÉRABLES at the Stadttheater Klagenfurt. From 2016 to 2017, she had engagements at the Tyrolean Summer Festival in Erl and toured with the Verein der Wiener Volksoper. She made her debut at the Landestheater Linz in the German-language premiere of AN AMERICAN IN PARIS in 2018/2019. In 2019, she appeared in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW in Amstetten. From 2019 to 2022, she played in GUYS AND DOLLS at the Graz Opera House and in DER VOGELHÄNDLER at the Klagenfurt City Theatre. In 2023, she returned to the Musiktheater Linz with ANASTASIA and CATCH ME IF YOU CAN. Most recently, she could be seen again at the Klagenfurt City Theatre in CARMINA BURANA.
Swing/ Assistant Dance Captain
Aaron Lynch is originally from rural Victoria, Australia. He started dancing at the age of five and later studied at Triple Threat Performing Arts. He made his professional musical debut in 2014 in the role of George in CATS (Really Useful Group). Between 2015 and 2021, Aaron toured CATS throughout Asia multiple times in the role of Coricopat. His other engagements include: PIPPIN (Magnormos), the Dubai season of THOMAS AND THE HIDDEN TREASURE (Smile Live Entertainment), the opening concert of the New Hamers Hall with Caroline O'Connor and the reality TV show ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ (Network Ten). He was part of the original Australian cast of CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (GFO) and has already taken to the stage in the Australian premiere of the new production of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (Opera Australia/RUG/Cameron Mackintosh).
Swing
Vasilios Manis completed his studies with Prof. Mario Hoff at the renowned Cologne University of Music and Dance in 2014 with a Master of Music in Singing (Opera). During his studies, he sang in various operas (including at the theaters in Aachen, Wuppertal and Leverkusen). From 2012-2014, he was a member of the opera studio at the Musiktheater im Revier in Gelsenkirchen, where he sang small to larger parts in his field. In November 2013, he took part in the “Festival Europeo de Solistas” in Caracas. He performed the concert with the Venezuelan National Orchestra under Diego Matheuz. In 2015, he made his debut as a musical performer in Hamburg and Oberhausen in Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. He gained international experience as a cover for Leopold Mozart in the musical MOZART! in Shanghai. Since then, he has expanded his repertoire with a variety of roles. Most recently, he shone as José Fajardo in ON YOUR FEET!
Swing
The Melbourne-born dancer and performer trained at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School. Her career began with Opera Australia Company, where she appeared on stage in various productions at the Sydney Opera House and Arts Centre Melbourne. In 2017 Amanda performed in the open-air production of TURANDOT on Sydney Harbour (“Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour”) and in 2018 toured China with Opera Australia's production of MADAMA BUTTERFLY. After moving to Europe, Amanda performed as a guest dancer with the Leipzig Musical Comedy Ballet. In 2023 and 2024 she was part of the European tour of DIRTY DANCING - DAS MUSICAL and performed in MORD IM ORIENTEXPRESS at the Komödie am Kurfürstendamm and the Theater am Potsdamer Platz (Berlin).
Swing
Born in Upper Austria, he completed his training at the Stage School of Music, Dance and Drama in Hamburg. This was followed by engagements in, among others, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, HAIR, and EVITA in a touring production. He appeared in ANYTHING GOES (Ettlingen Castle Festival), ELISABETH – DIE LEGENDE EINER HEILIGEN (Landestheater Eisenach), AIDA, EVITA, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, ARTUS – EXCALIBUR, DAS JUNGLE BOOK, DON CAMILLO & PEPPONE, DOCTOR ZHIVAGO (Tecklenburg open-air festival), ANNA GÖLDI – THE MUSICAL (Schaffhausen/Switzerland) and BLOOD BROTHERS. Tour productions of ELISABETH took him to Shanghai, Munich, Essen and Linz, and he could also be seen in the concert version of the piece in front of Schönbrunn Palace. At the VBW, he also appeared in ICH WAR NOCH NIEMALS IN NEW YORK, ELISABETH, the concert version of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Raimund Theater), DER BESUCH DER ALTEN DAME, DON CAMILLO & PEPPONE (Ronacher) and most recently in REBECCA.
Swing/ Cover Carlotta Guidicelli
Lilly Rottensteiner, born in Styria, Austria, graduated with honors from the Music and Arts University of the City of Vienna (MUK) in 2022. As part of her training, she embodied, among other roles, Mikado in DER MIKADO and Mrs. White in CLUE at MUK.theater. She made her professional debut at the Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz in the role of Baroness Bomburst in TSCHITTI TSCHITTI BÄNG BÄNG. Since then, she has appeared on the stage of the Gärtnerplatztheater as Mrs. Segstrom in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, as Herta and Luise in THREE MEN IN THE SNOW, and as a flower girl and a parlormaid in MY FAIR LADY. At the Theater der Jugend she played Sara in the world premiere of LIZZY CARBON AND THE LOSERS' CLUB. At the VBW she was part of the ensemble for the semi-staged performance of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at the Raimund Theater and for ELISABETH at the Ehrenhof in front of Schönbrunn Palace.
Music & Book & Orchestration
Andrew Lloyd Webber has composed some of the world's most famous musicals, and his shows have now been running in London's West End without interruption for 50 years. With SUNSET BOULEVARD, SCHOOL OF ROCK, CATS and PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, he equalled Rodgers & Hammerstein's record of four simultaneous Broadway shows. He is one of the few artists to have received Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards, achieving what is known as EGOT status. Lloyd Webber owns six theatres in London, including the iconic London Palladium and Theatre Royal Drury Lane. The latter reopened in July 2021 after a £60 million restoration and renovation. This is one of the largest projects undertaken by a private theatre owner in recent history, in line with his mantra that every penny of profit from his theatres should be ploughed back into the buildings. Lloyd Webber is passionate about the importance of music education and diversity in the arts. The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation awards 30 scholarships each year to talented and financially needy students and supports a number of projects such as the ‘Music In Secondary School Trust’ and also commissions research on diversity in theatre. Andrew Lloyd Webber composed anthems for the 1978 Football World Cup in Argentina and for two Olympic ceremonies, including ‘Amigos Para Siempre’, the official song of the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. He wrote ‘Let Us Love In Peace’ in the wake of the attacks on the World Trade Center. He co-wrote and performed ‘Sing’ with Gary Barlow for the Diamond Jubilee Concert, held to mark the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the throne, and curated music theatre performances for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Concert in June 2022. In May 2023, a new anthem composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber was played at the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.
Producer
Cameron Mackintosh has been putting on shows since 1967 and is still considered the most prolific musical producer in theatre history. He has not only produced three of the longest-running musicals in the world – LES MISÉRABLES, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and CATS – but also legendary musicals such as MISS SAIGON, OLIVER!, MARY POPPINS (in co-production with Disney), SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, SONG AND DANCE, TOMFOOLERY, MARTIN GUERRE, THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK and FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE. His acclaimed productions of MY FAIR LADY, OKLAHOMA! and CAROUSEL were all international successes, as were his new productions of LES MISÉRABLES, MISS SAIGON and THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. Cameron Mackintosh is also co-producing HAMILTON in London and on UK tour alongside Jeffrey Seller. In 2013, Cameron Mackintosh, along with Working Title Films and Universal, produced the highly successful, Oscar®, Golden Globe and BAFTA-winning adaptation of LES MISÉRABLES, which is one of the most successful film adaptations of an original stage musical. To celebrate its 10th anniversary, the film will be re-released with a new Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision mix for a limited number of theatrical screenings in 2024. A new 4K Blu-ray disc and iTunes download version of the film will also be released. The concert version of LES MISÉRABLES, first performed at Domain Park in Sydney in 1989, has proved as successful as the original musical version and will soon return to stages around the world as a highly anticipated arena tour. The concert production of LES MISÉRABLES has been recorded three times – at the Royal Albert Hall, the O2 Arena and the Gielgud Theatre. The filmed concert is shown repeatedly on TV and in cinemas around the world, and, like its spectacular production of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA at the Royal Albert Hall, it regularly breaks attendance records for live music theatre recordings. Cameron Mackintosh owns and operates eight historic theatres in London, all of which have been spectacularly renovated and adapted for the 21st century. They are home to many of London's most successful hit shows. The Sondheim Theatre, formerly known as the Queen's, now boasts a magnificent auditorium and backstage facilities and has been renamed in honour of Mackintosh's important friend, the recently deceased theatre legend Stephen Sondheim. The last show Sondheim and Mackintosh worked on, OLD FRIENDS, premiered in 2022, first on stage and then on television as a sensational all-star gala, recently ending an acclaimed run at the Gielgud Theatre in London, starring Broadway legends Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga. In 1990 Mackintosh launched the Oxford University St Catherine's College Contemporary Theatre Chair, with Stephen Sondheim as the first incumbent. Music Theatre International, the world's largest second-use rights holder for many of the most important musicals ever written, is now one of his companies. Cameron Mackintosh was knighted in 1996 for his services to British theatre and was honoured with a Freedom of the City of London award in June 2023. He is the first British producer to be inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame on Broadway.
Lyrics
Charles Hart writes texts for music. His operatic works include MARX IN LONDON (Jonathan Dove, Stadttheater Bonn), BENVENUTO CELLINI (Hector Berlioz, English National Opera) and DER VAMPYR (Heinrich Marschner, BBC TV). His musical works include: BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM (Howard Goodall, Phoenix Theatre), ASPECTS OF LOVE (Andrew Lloyd Webber, Prince of Wales Theatre) and DAS PHANTOM DER OPER (Andrew Lloyd Webber, His Majesty's Theatre). His songs include ‘Seventeen’ (Claude-Michel Schönberg, sung by Russell Watson), ‘Goodbye For Now’ (Richard Rodney Bennett, sung by Claire Martin) and ‘I Live This Life For Me’ (Sylvester Levay/Michael Kunze, sung by Pia Douwes). He has also written both the lyrics and music for the Granada TV comedies ‘Watching’ (sung by Emma Wray) and ‘Split Ends’ (sung by Anita Dobson), as well as creating a song cycle for BBC Radio: ‘Love Songs’ (sung by Mary-Louise Clark). Charles Hart has won two Ivor Novello Awards, been nominated twice for a Tony Award and once for an Academy Award. He was born in London, studied in Maidenhead and Cambridge, and lives and works in West London and East Anglia.
Additional lyrics and book
Richard Stilgoe was active as a performer and writer in all forms of the performing arts for 60 years. He wrote texts for CATS, STARLIGHT EXPRESS, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, THE MAGISTRATE and ROAD RAGE, as well as music and texts for BODYWORK, BRILLIANT THE DINOSAUR and ORPHEUS – THE MYTHICAL. He has been honoured for his radio work with the New York Radio Festival Gold Award, three Monaco Festival Prizes and the Prix Italia. In 1997, he founded the Orpheus Centre in Surrey, where young people with disabilities are prepared for independent living through a series of performing arts courses. In 1998, he was High Sheriff of Surrey and was awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in the same year. He owns and drives a JCB and has five children and 13 grandchildren. At the suggestion of the Alchemy Foundation, Richard Stilgoe was included in the 2012 Queen's Birthday Honours List and knighted for his charitable work.
German version
Michael Kunze comes from an Austrian family, was born in Prague and grew up in Germany. After studying law and earning his doctorate, he began working as a songwriter. When he was dissatisfied with the production of his songs, he produced them himself. He quickly became a successful songwriter and an internationally known pop producer. Over six hundred chart successes, including two number one hits in America, earned him 79 gold and platinum records, an Echo Lifetime Award and the US Grammy. Stars who owe him hits include Gilbert Bécaud, Peter Alexander, Nana Mouskouri, Gitte Haenning, Peter Maffay, Julio Iglesias and Sister Sledge. He also penned over 100 Udo Jürgens lyrics, including "Griechischer Wein" and "Ich war noch niemals in New York". In addition, he developed lasting TV formats and wrote, among other things, the "Peter Alexander Show" for ORF. In the 1980s, he moved from the recording studio to the theater. Initially, he worked on German adaptations of international musical successes such as EVITA, CATS, DAS PHANTOM DER OPER, Disney's DER GLÖCKNER VON NOTRE DAME, DER KÖNIG DER LÖWEN, MAMMA MIA! and WICKED. He has been developing original musicals since the 1990s. Already with his first work ELISABETH (music: Sylvester Levay), he advanced to become the internationally most performed German-language playwright. His subsequent works TANZ DER VAMPIRE (Jim Steinman), MOZART!, REBECCA, LADY BESS and MARIE ANTOINETTE (all set to music by Sylvester Levay) also became international successes. He is considered the creator of the DramaMusical, a new genre of musical theater. He was the only librettist from the German-speaking world to reach Broadway. His pop oratorios DIE ZEHN GEBOTE and LUTHER (music: Dieter Falk) filled large European halls. In 2017, his work DON CAMILLO & PEPPONE (music: Dario Farina) was shown at the Ronacher. His musical MATTERHORN (music: Albert Hammond), premiered in St. Gallen in 2018, deals with the highly topical subject of the threat to nature posed by man. His works have been and are being performed in Paris, Moscow, Seoul, Shanghai and Tokyo. In addition to musical librettos, he has written several non-fiction books, a play about Bertolt Brecht's wife (LENYA), political cabaret texts for the Munich Lach- und Schießgesellschaft, and the book for the opera RAOUL (music: Gershon Kingsley). In addition, Michael Kunze is the author of scientific treatises and books of legal history. The Göttingen Academy of Sciences honored him for this in 2016 with the Brothers Grimm Medal. He is currently working on a non-fiction book on legal history entitled DAS UNSICHTBARE RECHT. Michael Kunze is a member of the US Dramatists Guild, Inc.
ORCHESTRATION
David Cullen studied with Howard Ferguson and Richard Rodney Bennett at the Royal Academy of Music (London), and subsequently worked as a keyboarder, composer, music producer and arranger. He achieved international recognition with his orchestration of musicals by Andrew Lloyd Webber, including CATS, STARLIGHT EXPRESS, SONG AND DANCE, ASPECTS OF LOVE, SUNSET BOULEVARD, BY JEEVES, WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND, THE BEAUTIFUL GAME, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, THE WOMAN IN WHITE and LOVE NEVER DIES. Other musicals he has orchestrated include ABBACADABRA, CHILDREN OF EDEN, SHŌGUN – THE MUSICAL, STEPPING OUT – THE MUSICAL, EDNA – THE SPECTACLE and several London revivals, including CAN-CAN, THE BAKER’S WIFE, CARMEN JONES, PARADE and THE WIZARD OF OZ. He won a New York Drama Desk Award for THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and was nominated for ASPECTS OF LOVE. In 1999, he was nominated for a Tony Award for SWAN LAKE. His studio recordings include the King’s Sisters’ “America album”, Kiri te Kanawa’s “Christmas with Kiri” and Shirley Bassey’s “I Am What I Am”. He has arranged and produced two albums for Cantabile and Julian Lloyd Webber. David Cullen also orchestrates films and television, including the TV shows “Relative Strangers”, “Surgical Spirit” and “The Bretts”, and film versions of “Jesus Christ Superstar”, “Cats”, “Evita” und “The Phantom of the Opera”. He also orchestrated the Disney films “Geppetto” and “Cinderella”.
Direction
Director: BAD CINDERELLA (Broadway); SAVING GRACE (Riverside Studios); CINDERELLA (Gillian Lynne Theatre); JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT (London Palladium, UK Tour, Australia, Canada); CHESS (English National Opera); UNMASKED (The Other Palace); MISS SAIGON (Broadway, West End, US Tours, UK tours, Australia, Japan and Korea); SCHOOL OF ROCK (Broadway, West End, US tour, Australia, China and Korea); LES MISÉRABLES (Broadway, US tour, UK tour, Australia, Japan, Korea and Spain); JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (UK and Australian arena tour); PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (UK and US tour); OLIVER! (UK tour). He also directed the 25th anniversary concerts of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA at the Royal Albert Hall and the 25th anniversary of LES MISÉRABLES at the O2 Arena in London. Both productions were simultaneously broadcast in cinemas worldwide and subsequently released on DVD. DVD recordings: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (world arena tour); 25th anniversary concert of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (Royal Albert Hall), LES MISÉRABLES (O2 Arena) and MISS SAIGON (Prince Edward Theatre). Awards: MISS SAIGON (Broadway - Tony nomination for Best Revival, UK – Manchester Evening News Award for Best Touring Musical, Korea – Best New Foreign Production and Best Ensemble in a Musical, and Australia – Green Room Award for Best Musical Director) and LES MISÉRABLES (UK – Best Musical at the Manchester Evening News Awards).
DIRECTION VIENNA
Seth Sklar-Heyn has been an Executive Producer at Cameron Mackintosh Inc. for North American projects since 2013 and has worked on all current Broadway and touring productions of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (also as Production Supervisor and Associate Director), MISS SAIGON (also as Associate Director) and LES MISÉRABLES (including the current tour since 2022). Seth directed the 2020 UK and Ireland tour production of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and the current West End production, which resumed at London's His Majesty's Theatre in 2021 (both productions based on the original Harold Prince staging). He also directed the Australian premiere of Cameron Mackintosh's new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's PHANTOM OF THE OPERA at the Sydney Opera House and Arts Centre Melbourne in 2022 (based on the original production by Laurence Connor). Seth previously directed the North American tours of FROST/NIXON, starring Stacy Keach and Alan Cox, and EVITA (both based on the original productions by Michael Grandage). He has also worked as associate or assistant director on many other Broadway productions, including: EVITA, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, FINIAN'S RAINBOW, GOOD VIBRATIONS, MARY STUART, ROCK ‘N’ ROLL, FROST/NIXON and THE COAST OF UTOPIA. He was also the Resident Director of the second US tour of BILLY ELLIOT. Seth Sklar-Heyn is a graduate of Vassar College.
Choreographie
Scott Ambler has been a member of Matthew Bourne's ensemble since 1991 and has created many roles, including the Prince in SWAN LAKE. His choreographies include: THE HOSTAGE (Royal Shakespeare Company); MRS HARTLEY AND THE GROWTH CENTRE (BBC); I GIGANTI DELLA MONTAGNE and LA CALISTO (Musica nel Chiostro – Batignano); THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE (Garsington); TIME AND THE CONEWS (National Theatre); ENRON ( Chichester/Royal Court/West End/Broadway); Stephen Sondheim's PASSION (Donmar Warehouse); EARTHQUAKES IN LONDON (National Theatre/UK Tour); LORD OF THE FLIES (New Adventures - Theatre Royal Glasgow); THE MERCHANT OF VENICE (Royal Shakespeare Company); DECADE (Headlong); THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (UK Tour); CHARIOTS OF FIRE (Hampstead/Gielgud – Olivier Award Nomination); RICHARD II (BBC); THE GYPSY BARON (Stadttheater Klagenfurt); THIS HOUSE (National Theatre); #AIWW: THE ARREST OF AI WEIWEI (Hampstead); CANDIDE (Royal Shakespeare Company); W ONDERLAND (Hampstead); OPPENHEIMER (Royal Shakespeare Company/Vaudeville); THE WASP (Hampstead Downstairs/Trafalgar Studios); KING JOHN (Royal and Derngate/Shakespeare's Globe); PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (Sheffield Crucible); MEDEA (Almeida); HAPGOOD (Hampstead). Scott Ambler was an Associate Artist with Matthew Bourne's dance company New Adventures. In March 2018, he was honoured with the permanent title of Founder Artistic Associate by Matthew Bourne and New Adventures.
Production Supervision und Additional Staging
Sir Matthew Bourne is widely regarded as Britain's most popular and successful choreographer and director. In 2012, he celebrated his 25th anniversary in the profession. During this time, he has staged and choreographed for musical theatre, opera, theatre and film, as well as for his own highly successful and award-winning dance companies. Matthew Bourne also created the longest-running dance production in the world, is a five-time Olivier Award winner and the only British director to have received the Tony Award for both Best Choreography and Best Musical Direction. In addition, he has already won over 30 international awards, for example, he followed in the footsteps of Dame Margot Fonteyn by being the only person other than her to receive the Hamburg Shakespeare Prize for the Arts in the dance category. He was also the first in the arts to win the British Inspiration Award. He was not only honoured with the Special Theatre Managers Association Award for his achievements in dance touring and audience development, but in 2001 he was awarded the Order of the British Empire for his services to dance. In January 2014, Matthew Bourne received the De Valois Award for his life's work. Matthew Bourne began his training at the relatively advanced age of 22. He studied dance theatre and choreography at the Laban Centre and completed his training in 1985. As the artistic director of his first dance company – Adventures in Motion Pictures – he created many award-winning works between 1987 and 2002. The most iconic of these were revived for New Adventures, a project launched in 2002 by Matthew Bourne and co-director Robert Noble. Now the most successful and active dance company in the UK, New Adventures has become a major force in British dance and its export worldwide. Matthew Bourne's classic musical choreographies include Cameron Mackintosh's productions of OLIVER! (Olivier Award nominations in 1994 and 2009), MY FAIR LADY (Olivier Award in 2002) and the National Theatre revival of SOUTH PACIFIC in 2002. In 2004, Matthew Bourne co-directed with Richard Eyre and co-choreographed with Stephen Mear the West End smash hit musical MARY POPPINS. For this production, he received the Olivier Award for Best Theatre Choreographer and two Tony Award nominations.
Associate Choreographie
Since the 2013 US tour, associate choreographer for DAS PHANTOM DER OPER. Assistant and associate to choreographer Arthur Pita (NUTCRACKER, Ballet de l'Opéra Paris; THE TENANT, Joyce Theater). On stage, she could be seen in, among others, Garsington Opera's production of TOD IN VENEDIG, Susan Stroman's THE LITTLE DANCER (Kennedy Center), on Broadway in, among others, DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, CONTACT, Matthew Bourne's SWAN LAKE, THE RED SHOES and in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. Off-Broadway performances at Lincoln Center, City Center and The Public Theater. Nina created the role of Mrs. Samsa in Pita's THE METAMORPHOSIS (London's Royal Opera House). Other performances: THE SHAPE SHE MAKES (American Repertory Theater) and Bournes SWAN LAKE, THE CAR MAN and EDWARD SCISSORHANDS. Other works: Signature Theater, Baryshnikov Arts Center, NY Theater Workshop, Great Lakes Theater Festival, Manhattan Theater Club, the series ‘Altogether Different’, Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal, Feld Ballets/NY, National Ballet of Canada; TV: ‘Fame’, OSCAR and TONY broadcasts. Assistant to Stroman's ballet productions for NYCB and PNB, Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company, Cedar Lake Dance Company. Teaching experience: Hunter College, Sarah Lawrence College, Princeton University, Juilliard School, Barnard College, Gibney Dance Center, Steps NYC, Peridance, Joffrey Ballet School, Gibney Dance Company, Joyce Theater's Ballet Festival, Metropolitan Opera Ballet, Alvin Ailey, Brooklyn Ballet, Cedar Lake Dance, Random Dance, Rambert, New Adventures Dance Companies, among others. Nina holds a Master's degree from Hunter College's Arnold Graduate Dance Education Program and a Bachelor of Arts from Empire State College.
Musical Supervisor
Alfonso is regularly invited to work as a freelance musical director and musical supervisor in the West End, with major orchestras in the UK and abroad. He works as a musical director for film, television and games (most recently: ‘Jingle Jangle’, ‘Christmas Chronicles 2’, ‘Thunder Force’, ‘Halo’, ‘The Croods 2’, ‘Jurassic World: Dominion’, ‘Nightmare Alley’ etc.), for music theatre, symphonic music and musical productions, as well as a composer for games, advertising and film. Regular collaborations include orchestras such as BBCCO, ROSS, OBC, CBSO, Bournemouth Symphony, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Halle Orchestra, Royal Northern Symphonia, London Concert Orchestra, Ulster Orchestra, Orquesta de la Ópera del Liceo. Recent projects as a freelance conductor: OLD FRIENDS (Sondheim Theatre, London) with Petula Clark, Bernadette Peters, Damian Lewis and Dame Judi Dench (nominated for a WhatsOnStage Award for best musical direction), DISNEY'S FANTASIA live in Seville with the ROSS, MY FAIR LADY (The Grange Festival and Liceu Theatre in Barcelona). He is currently the worldwide musical supervisor for numerous Cameron Mackintosh shows and teaches at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Alfonso composed the music for the feature films ‘Venus’ and ‘Héroes de Barrio’ as well as jingles for Disney, Nickelodeon and advertising companies. His work in film and television includes the translation and direction of numerous Disney series into Spanish (‘Tangled’, ‘Fancy Nancy’, ‘TOPS’, ‘Mira Royal Detective’, ‘Gigantosaurus’, ‘Phineas and Ferb’, ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’, etc.) SpongeBob SquarePants’, etc.) He started directing professional shows in Madrid at the age of 20 and since then he has directed and supervised shows in Spain, the United Kingdom, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, China, Brazil, etc. His greatest successes in musical theatre include LES MISÉRABLES (MD/Supervisor, Spain, Brazil, Tokyo, London, Dubai), MISS SAIGON (MD/Supervisor London, Tokyo, Vienna), PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (MD/ Supervisor London, UK Tour), MAMMA MIA! (MD Spain; Assist. Musical Supervisor international). He conducted the 25th anniversary gala of MISS SAIGON (released worldwide on DVD), LES MISÉRABLES – THE STAGED CONCERT at the Gielgud Theatre in London (also released worldwide on video) and was co-supervisor for the 30th anniversary gala of LES MISERABLES. In January 2018, he recorded an album of Spanish classical music with the BBCCO, alongside soloists Juan Pérez and Magdalena Llamas, and conducted the orchestra again in August 2018 for ‘Friday Night Is Music Night’. He has been honoured as the best musical director (LOS MISERABLES, Spain; MISS SAIGON, West End), among others (Broadwayworld Awards).
STAGE IMAGE
Paul Brown was born in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales. He received his training from Percy Harris (Motley Design Course). His theatre work includes: AS YOU DESIRE ME, THE COUNTRY WIFE, THE SEA, MARGUERITE (West End); THE TEMPEST, NAKED, RICHARD II, CORIOLAN, KING LEAR, PLATONOV (Almeida); THE EMPEROR AND THE GALILEE, THE FALSE MAID, OEDIPUS (National Theatre); HAMLET (Tokyo); GISELLE (La Scala). His opera credits include: TOSCA, MITRIDATE, RE DI PONTO, KING ARTHUR, FALSTAFF, I MASNADIERI, THE MIDSUMMER MARRIAGE (Royal Opera House); IOLANTHE, THE FLYING DUTCHMAN (ENO); OTELLO (Zurich); AIDA (Bregenz Festival); THE DRAWN (Teatro Massimo, Palermo); THE ELF QUEEN QUEEN OF THE ELVES, PELLÉAS ET MÉLISANDE, LULU, THE TURN OF THE SCREW, DON GIOVANNI (Glyndebourne Festival Opera); KING ARTHUR (Chatelet); LADY MACBETH OF MZENSK, MOSES UND ARON (Metropolitan Opera, New York); DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE (Salzburg); PETER GRIMES, PARSIFAL (Paris Opera Paris); DON CARLOS (Sydney); TRISTAN UND ISOLDE (Deutsche Oper, Berlin); RIGOLETTO (Madrid); THAÏS (Chicago); KATYA KABANOVA, LUCIO SILLA, THE TEMPEST, THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO (Santa Fe); L'INCORONAZIONE DI POPPEA (Bologna); LA TRAVIATA (Arena di Verona); ANNA BOLENA ( Verona); MEPHISTOPHELES (Amsterdam); DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE (Bolshoi); DIE FRAU OHNE SCHATTEN, ELEKTRA (Mariinsky, St. Petersburg); HE HAD IT COMING, FIDELIO (Birmingham Opera Company); TANNHÄUSER (San Francisco); ZÉMIRE ET AZOR, TOM JONES (Drottningholm Court Theatre); VANESSA (Los Angeles). His film credits include: ‘Up at the Villa’.
COSTUME DESIGN AND ORIGINAL CONCEPT
Maria Björnson has designed numerous costumes for theatre, opera and ballet. In 1979 and 1988 she was part of the British theatre design team that was awarded the Golden Troika of the Prazké Quadriennale. In 1983 she received the silver medal of the Janacek Competition of the Prazké Quadriennale. In 1990, she was honoured with the title ‘The Observer's Experts’ Expert, the Designers‘ Designer’ in recognition of her achievements in theatre design. In 1999, she was awarded the 19th Franco-Abbiati Prize. She received numerous awards for her designs for PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, including two Tony Awards, two Outer Critics Circle Awards and two Los Angeles Drama Critics Awards, each for best costume and best set. At the time of her death, Maria had completed the designs for TROJAN HORSE (New York Met), THE LITTLE PRINCE (Houston Grand Opera) and the set for IL TROVATORE (Paris Opera). All three productions were directed by Francesca Zambello in 2003. Her work in the musical theatre includes: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (Her Majesty's Theatre, Broadway, as well as nationally and internationally), ASPECTS OF LOVE (Prince of Wales Theatre and Broadway) and FOLLIES (Shaftesbury). In straight theatre: THE CHERRY ORCHARD (National Theatre), MASS FOR MASS, THE BLUE ANGEL, CAMILLE, HAMLET, THE STORM, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM and THE RUNNING OF THE WORLD (Royal Shakespeare Company), PLENTY, PHEDRE, BRITANNICUS, THE LULU PLAYS and CREDITORS (Almeida), CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF (Lyric), THE LONELY ROAD (Old Vic), THE CHERRY ORCHARD (CHICHESTER Festival Theatre), VIEUX CARRÉ (Piccadilly), HEDDA GABLER (Duke of York's) and ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA (Globe). For the opera: DON GIOVANNI, SLEEPING BEAUTY, KATYA KABANOVA and THE ROSENKAVALIER (Royal Opera House), MACBETH (La Scala), THE RISE AND FALL OF THE CITY OF MAHAGONNY (Bastille Opera and Teatro del Maggio Musicale in Florence ), DON GIOVANNI (Musica nel Chiostro, Batignano), COSI FAN TUTTE (Glyndebourne), LE NOZZE DI FIGARO (Geneva), CARMEN, DIE WALKÜRE and TOUSSAINT L'OUVERTURE (ENO), DONNERSTAG AUS LICHT ( Royal Opera House, Stockhausen), THE QUEEN OF SPADES (Dutch Opera), Werther (Opera North), the Janáček cycle (Welsh National Opera and Scottish Opera) and Don Giovanni, Hänsel und Gretel and Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Scottish Opera). Maria Björnson is a registered trademark of the Prodan Romanian Cultural Foundation and is used under licence.
ADAPTATION AND COMPLEMENTARY STAGE DESIGN
David Harris is a London-based theatre designer who works in music theatre, interior architecture and exhibition design. He has been involved with DAS PHANTOM DER OPER since 2017 and has helped shape the revival of the London production, a tour of the UK and the production at the Sydney Opera House. David's designs include THE WILD PARTY and CITY OF ANGELS for the Royal Academy of Music, THE SOUND OF MUSIC in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, THIS IS THE HOUR at the Royal Academy of Music, HARDBOILED (nominated for an Offie Award for best design), DAVID COPPERFIELD and WRITER'S BLOCK for the Watermill Theatre and IDIOT-SYNCRACY, TAME GAME and CITY, each as international tours. As Associate Designer for Cameron Mackintosh, David has overseen LES MISÉRABLES in the West End, UK, US, Netherlands, Belgium, Tokyo, Mexico City, São Paulo, Singapore, Manila, Seoul and Daegu; MISS SAIGON at the Sydney Opera House, West End, Vienna, the UK tour and the current Asia tour; OLIVER! in Tokyo, and numerous West End productions including STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS, the LES MISÉRABLES concert, HAMILTON and HALF A SIXPENCE. Other associate credits include TWELVE ANGRY MEN at the Birmingham Rep and in the West End, ANNIE and MAN OF LA MANCHA in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. He has worked as an assistant on over 40 theatre productions, including BARNUM, FUNNY GIRL, CHAPLIN, NOISES OFF, SISTER ACT and NO MAN'S LAND. Outside of theatre, David has designed the immersive exhibition on robotics at Medicine In Theatre in London, a coffee shop in a Wren church in the City of London and the restaurant Deli Ohio in Canton, Ohio.
LIGHT DESIGN
Paule Constable is an award-winning lighting designer for theatre, dance and opera. She is an associate of the National Theatre and Matthew Bourne's dance company New Adventures. Her most recent theatre projects include: COLD WAR (Almeida Theatre), ROCK FOLLIES (Chichester Festival Theatre), THE CONFESSIONS (Avignon/Vienna/London), GUYS AND DOLLS (The Bridge), DRIVE YOUR PLOW OVER THE BONES OF THE DEAD (Complicite), DIXON AND DAUGHTERS, THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE , MASTER HAROLD AND THE BOYS, PERICLES, NINE NIGHT, FOLLIES (Olivier Award nominee, Knight of Illumination Award 2018), ANGELS IN AMERICA (Olivier Award nominee; also on Broadway, Tony Award nominee), MOSQUITOES, DIE DREIGROSCHENOPER, CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME (National/Apollo/Gielgud/Ethel Barrymore, NY/world tour) and WAR HORSE (National/New London/Vivian Beaumont, NY/world tour), LOCAL HERO (Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh), Der Kirschgarten (Toneelgroep, Amsterdam). Also EAR FOR EYE, (Clybourne Park and West End), POSH, KRAPPS LAST TAPE, THE COUNTRY, DUBLIN CAROL and THE WEIR (Royal Court), LUISE MILLER, IVANOV, DER KREIDEGARTEN, OTHELLO, PROOF, THE LITTLE FOXES and BONDAGERS (Donmar Warehouse), HAPPY DAYS, FEAST, THE GOOD PERSON OF SZECHUAN, GENERATIONS and JESUS OF TEXAS (Young Vic), WOLF HALL (also West End and Broadway), THE PRINCE OF HOMBURG, THE SEAGULL and TALES FROM OVID (Royal Shakespeare Company), SEVENTEEN, HERONS, BLASTED and THREE SISTERS (Lyric). Her lighting designs for opera have been seen around the world. In the field of dance, she has designed the new production of SWAN LAKE as well as ROMEO AND JULIET, THE RED SHOES, SLEEPING BEAUTY, PLAY WITHOUT WORDS, DORIAN GRAY and HIGHLAND FLING for Matthew Bourne's company New Adventures. Paule Constable is a member of the Royal Society Designers for Industry. She has won the Oliver Award for best lighting design a record-breaking five times (for OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE, CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME, DER KREIDEGARTEN, DON CARLOS and HIS DARK MATERIALS) and the Tony Award twice (for CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME and WAR HORSE). She has also been honoured with the Knight of Illuminations Award for best lighting design for FOLLIES, SAINT JOAN and BARNUM, the LA Critics Circle Award for LES MISÉRABLES, WAR HORSE and SLEEPING BEAUTY, the New York Critics Circle Award and the Drama Desk Award for CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME and WAR HORSE, and the Australian Helpmann Award for LES MISÉRABLES in Sydney. Paule Constable was the first recipient of the Opera Award for Lighting and received the first Hospital Award for Contribution to Theatre.
Sounddesign
Mick has designed the sound for numerous world premiere productions including: SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER (London, New York and worldwide), BOMBAY DREAMS (London, New York), THE WOMAN IN WHITE (London, New York), the largest ever production of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (Las Vegas), the critically acclaimed West End production of EVITA (London, Broadway, Sydney Opera House and Australian tour), ZORRO THE MUSICAL (London, Paris and worldwide), Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit productions of THE SOUND OF MUSIC (London, Toronto, UK Tour , Asia, Australia ) and JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT (London), SISTER ACT (London, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Barcelona, Berlin ), the world premiere of LOVE NEVER DIES (London, Melbourne and Sydney, Tokyo, Hamburg, US Tour, UK Tour), Andrew Lloyd Webber's new production of THE WIZARD OF OZ (London, Toronto, US Tour, Australia), the world premiere of BETTY BLUE EYES (London) , the LES MISÉRABLES 25th Anniversary Celebration (02 Arena London) , THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA 25th Anniversary Celebration (Royal Albert Hall, London), Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (UK Tour, US Tour), the Broadway revival of EVITA (New York, US Tour, Australia, China), BARNUM (Chichester, UK Tour), Tim Rice’s FROM HERE TO ETERNITY (London), Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of MISS SAIGON (London, Tokyo, New York, UK Tour, US Tour and worldwide), Andrew Lloyd Webber's SCHOOL OF ROCK (New York, London, US Tour, Australia, China), SUNSET BOULEVARD (English National Opera, London, New York), CATS Broadway revival (New York, US Tour), HALF A SIXPENCE (Chichester, London), CAROUSEL ( English National Opera, London), THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA 30 th Anniversary celebration (New York), CHESS (English National Opera, London), New International Tour THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (Worldwide 2019), MAN OF LA MANCHA (English National Opera, London), THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA (Royal Festival Hal l), LLES MISÉRABLES – THE STAGED CONCERT (Gielgud Theatre London), LES MISÉRABLES (Sondheim Theatre London), THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (UK Tour 2020). Mick create d all new sound designs for THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (London, New York, worldwide) and all new sound designs for LES MISÉRABLES (New York , worldwide, and most recently at the newly named Sondheim Theatre London).
PROJECTIONS
His work for the spoken theatre includes: UNCANNY: I KNOW WHAT I SAW (UK Tour); THE VANISHING ROOM (Frankfurt); AFTER THE ACT (New Diorama/Edinburgh Traverse); THE BAND'S VISIT (Donmar Warehouse, London); TWO PALESTINIANS GO DOGGING (Royal Court); LA BELLE SAUVAGE: THE BOOK OF DUST, A CHRISTMAS CAROL (co-design with Luke Halls, The Bridge); THE INCIDENT ROOM, SECRET LIFE OF HUMANS (New Diorama); THE WRITER (Almeida); OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS (Hampstead Theatre); THE EFFECT, LOOKING THROUGH GLASS (The Other Room); A GOOD CLEAN HEART (Wales Millennium Centre/Tour). Selected opera productions include: LA TRAVIATA (Paris Opera; Wiener Staatsoper); SILENT CITY (Matera, European Capital of Culture); ARIODANTE (Royal College of Music); PELLÉAS ET MÉLISANDE, THE TALES OF HOFFMANN (English Touring Opera). As assistant: DISNEYS AIDA (AFAS Circustheater; Scheveningen); Frameless Gallery (Marble Arch; London); The Poem Pavilion, UK, Expo 2020; Masterclass by Es Devlin; FOREST OF US (Superblue, Miami); TALKING HEADS, ALYS, ALWAYS, MY NAME IS LUCY BARTON (Bridge Theatre); DEN GLADE ENKE 2. 0, HOBBITTEN (KGL, Copenhagen); MICHAEL KOHLHAAS (Schaubühne, Berlin); MARY POPPINS, FROZEN, EVERYBODY'S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE (West End); THE LEHMAN TRILOGY (National Theatre/NY/West End), THE GREAT WAVE, UGLY LIES THE BONE (National Theatre); Epic Iran, Alice : Curioser & Curioser, The Singing Tree (V&A Museum); THE BAND (Berlin/West End/Tour); LOCAL HERO (Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh); SHIPWRECK (Almeida); PELLE EROBREREN (Østre Gasværk Teater); GIRLS & BOYS (Royal Court/New York); DESIRE UNDER THE ELMS (Sheffield Theatre). Zakk is an associate of Luke Hall's studio.
CONSULTANT FOR ILLUSIONS
His film credits include: Wonka, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Disney's Snow White, Hugo Cabret (Martin Scorsese). On Broadway: GROUNDHOG DAY, FINDING NEVERLAND, MATILDA, GHOST – THE MUSICAL, PIPPIN and SIDE SHOW. In the West End (London): THE INVISIBLE MAN, THE WITCHES and ZORRO. Furthermore: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA/US tour, AWAKENING (Wynn Las Vegas), MICKEY & THE MAGICIAN (Disneyland Paris), BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Disney Dream). He has also worked as a consultant for the live shows of Derren Brown, Dynamo, David Blaine, David Copperfield, Penn & Teller, Adele and Kate Bush. Awards: New York Drama Desk Award (GHOST – THE MUSICAL). Creative Fellowship (Magic Castle, Hollywood) and the Maskelyne Award (Magic Circle, London). He is an associate artist at the Old Vic Theatre (London).
ASSOCIATE LICHTDESIGN
Nic studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London and gained a BA (Hons.) in Theatre Sound. He began his career as a sound mixer, working on CML's MY FAIR LADY and MARY POPPINS, MARGUERITE and MAMMA MIA!, among others. He began his collaboration with Mick Potter as a mixer on the 25th anniversary tour of LES MISÉRABLES, and he was involved in the 25th anniversary concert (O2 Arena, London). For Mick Potter, he has mixed THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, THE WIZARD OF OZ, MISS SAIGON, HALF A SIXPENCE, THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA (Royal Festival Hall), CAROUSEL, CHESS and SUNSET BOULEVARD (London Coliseum). Nic is associate designer for Mick Potter on THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA worldwide, with productions in London, New York, Sydney, Moscow, Oberhausen, Stockholm, São Paulo, Copenhagen, the world tour, the UK and Ireland tour, the South Korean tour and the new production in Vienna. Nic is also Mick's associate designer for LES MISÉRABLES worldwide, including productions in London, Spain, South Korea, Toronto, Sydney, Tokyo, São Paulo, Mexico City, the USA, the England/Europe tour and the Holland and Belgium tour; for MISS SAIGON in Sydney, Tokyo and Vienna; Sondheim's OLD FRIENDS in London and SCHOOL OF ROCK in South Korea.
Associate Sounddesign
Nic studied at The Central School of Speech and Drama in London gaining a BA Honours in Theatre Sound. He started his career touring and in London as a sound mixer, including CML’s MY FAIR LADY and MARY POPPINS (UK Tours), MARGUERITE (London) and MAMMA MIA! (International Tour). Nic started his association with Mick Potter as the No. 1 mixer on the 25th Anniversary Tour of LES MISÉRABLES and was involved in the 25th Anniversary Concert (O2 Arena, London). For Mick, he has mixed THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (25th Anniversary Tour), THE WIZARD OF OZ (London), MISS SAIGON (London) and HALF A SIXPENCE (London). He has also mixed SUNSET BOULEVARD, CAROUSEL and CHESS at the London Coliseum with the ENO Orchestra, and THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA at the Royal Festival Hall with the Opera North Orchestra. Nic is Associate Designer for Mick Potter on MISS SAIGON, with previous and upcoming productions in Japan, and is thrilled to be a part of this new production to premiere in Vienna. Also, for Mick, Nic is Associate Designer for LES MISÉRABLES worldwide including productions in Spain, South Korea, Toronto, Sydney, Tokyo, São Paulo, Mexico City, US Tour, UK / European Tour and London; and for THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA worldwide including productions in Oberhausen, Stockholm, São Paulo, Copenhagen, World Tour, UK / Ireland Tour, London and New York.
ASSOCIATE COSTUME DESIGN AND REVISION OF MARIA BJÖRNSON©S DESIGNS
WIG, HAIR AND MAKE-UP DESIGN
Born in Dinslaken, Stefan has lived in London for many years. In Germany he works as a make-up artist on the productions TABALUGA & LILI (Oberhausen), ELISABETH, Disney's AIDA and DAS PHANTOM DER OPER (Essen) and travels the country with the first German tour of CATS. For the stage adaptation of LORD OF THE RINGS he moves to London and is responsible for the special FX make-up. In the West End, engagements follow for WICKED, GONE WITH THE WIND, HAIRSPRAY, BILLY ELLIOT, WE WILL ROCK YOU, ENRON, RENT, THE WILD PARTY and THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. He briefly works on SHREK, AN AMERICAN IN PARIS and THE BOOK OF MORMON in the United States and then brings these productions to London. As a designer or supervisor he works for: MISS SAIGON (London, Broadway, UK & International Tour), THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (London, Copenhagen, 25th Anniversary Gala at the Royal Albert Hall, UK & International Tour). Anniversary at the Royal Albert Hall, Australia, UK & World Tour), LES MISÉRABLES (London, concert performances, UK & Ireland Tour, Japan, South Korea, Spain, Australia and Dubai), SHREK (UK & Ireland Tour), KING LEAR (Chichester & London), FROZEN - THE PLAY (London), LADY WINDERMERE'S FAN (London), A ROOM WITH A VIEW (Royal Bath) and AN AMERICAN IN PARIS (London). Film works include: "The Phantom of the Opera at Royal Albert Hall", "Les Misérables - The Staged Concert", "An American in Paris", "Lady Windermere's Fan", "King Lear" and "Miss Saigon", as well as the feature films "Maleficent" (Disney), "Flawless" and "The Merchant of Venice". He worked as a wig technician for the live-action adaptation of Disney's "Cinderella" and as a supervisor for Pablo Larrain's "Spencer". His television work includes: "Britain's Got Talent", ITV; "Children in Need", BBC; "This Morning", "The Paul O'Grady Show", ITV; "This Morning America in Paris", CBS; "Wetten Dass?!", ZDF. In 2014 and 2016 he worked on "The Royal Variety Show" for the British Royal Family. In 2012 he taught at the Delamar Academy at Ealing Film Studios. He also makes wigs for artists in the pop music scene and is awarded the Technical Theatre Award for Outstanding Performance in the category Wigs and Make-up in 2013.
PROP SUPERVISORS FÜR MARCUS HALL PROPS
PROSTHETICS AND MASKS
MUSICAL DIRECTION
Carsten Paap studied church music, school music and music education at the University of Music Lübeck, majoring in organ, trombone and choral conducting, and graduated with distinction. He encountered the musical in 1997 at CATS in the Hamburg Operettenhaus, from where he continued in 1999 in Bremen with JEKYLL& HYDE as keyboardist and assistant musical director. In the same position he changed to MOZART! in Hamburg, where TITANIC - DAS MUSICAL and DIRTY DANCING followed. At the same time he conducted SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD on the Cap San Diego as well as ELEGIES FOR ANGELS, PUNKS AND RAGING QUEENS at the Schmidt Theater Hamburg and conducted the Berlin production of TANZ DER VAMPIRE. His work in Vienna includes REBECCA, MUSICAL CHRISTMAS, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, SISTER ACT, THE VISIT OF THE OLD LADY, MOZART!, MARY POPPINS, EVITA, DON CAMILLO & PEPPONE, I AM FROM AUSTRIA, BODYGUARD - THE MUSICAL, MISS SAIGON and THE LADY OF NOTRE DAME as well as musical direction for DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES and CATS. He was also Musical Director for the musical productions ANNIE (2012) and INTO THE WOODS(2014), which were created in collaboration with the Lower Austrian Music School Management. In May 2013 he was responsible for the premiere of the chamber opera JOIN! by Franz Koglmann at the Wiener Festwochen, and in September 2017 for the premiere of LIEBE SOPHIE and the EA of Anna Clyne's THIS MIDNIGHT HOUR (Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra).
International critics have raved, that Cameron Mackintosh’s new production is "bigger and better than ever". The production includes many spectacular special effects - including the legendary chandelier - the popular story and the breathtakingly romantic music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with all the world-famous songs including "The Music of the Night", "Think of Me", "The Phantom of the Opera", " All I Ask of You" and "Masquerade" - performed by a large cast and the VBW Orchestra. Let yourself be whisked away into the colourful hustle and bustle behind the scenes of the Paris Opera and experience an extraordinary musical evening full of great emotions, undying love and gripping passion.
a worldwide musical phenomenon
The original production of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA counts with a total of more than 160 million visitors in productions in 46 territories, 195 cities in 21 languages and as the winner of over 70 of the most important theater awards (including 4 Olivier Awards, 7 Tony Awards, 7 Drama Desk Awards and 5 Outer Critic Circle Awards) among the most successful musicals ever. The original production on Broadway recently closed breaking every box office record at the end of its 35-year run and the London production is now in its 38th year.
On Friday, March 15, 2024, Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular new production of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA celebrated its long-awaited premiere at the Raimund Theater. Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical masterpiece with world-famous songs such as "The Music of the Night", "Think of Me" and "The Masked Ball" and the legendary chandelier was met with great enthusiasm by the audience that evening.
After the great success of CATS, they are presenting another musical world hit by composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. A spectacular new production by legendary producer Cameron Mackintosh (MARY POPPINS, MISS SAIGON), Andrew Lloyd Webber’s THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA will be brought to the Raimund Theater in spring 2024 by Artistic Director Christian Struppeck, for the first time in German-speaking countries. Production and principals were presented at a press conference today.
This new production has already enjoyed sensational sell out success in Great Britain, the USA, and Australia at the iconic Sydney Opera House. The European premiere will take place in Vienna in March 2024.
