James Barbour to Play Final Performance in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway

Principal cast changes have been announced leading up to the 30th anniversary of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, directed by Harold Prince at the Majestic Theatre. In the coming months, the musical will welcome four principal cast members.

Current Phantom James Barbour will play his final performance on December 23. A successor to Barbour, who will begin on January 15, will be announced soon. During the three weeks between Barbour and his successor (December 25-January 13), the role will be portrayed by principal cast member Laird Mackintosh, who plays the role of Monsieur André. After concluding his run with The Phantom of the Opera, Barbour will be starting production on his solo show Ghosts of the Majestic, which begins performances in 2018.

Two performers new to the company come from the world of opera: Raquel Suarez Groen and Carlton Moe will respectively assume the roles of Carlotta and Piangi in their Broadway debuts. In addition, beginning tonight, October 30, they join current cast members Laird Mackintosh (Monsieur André), Craig Bennett (Monsieur Firmin), Maree Johnson (Madame Giry), and Kara Klein (‘Meg Giry’), all of whom will continue in their roles for the anniversary.

Ali Ewoldt and Rodney Ingram will continue in their roles as Christine and Raoul for the 30th anniversary. Kayley Ann Voorhees will return to play the role of Christine at certain performances, beginning the week of November 6.

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

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