Ramin Karimloo to Star in Italian Production of Phantom of the Opera This Summer

Ramin Karimloo, currently starring on Broadway in Funny Girl, will return to the title role in The Phantom of the Opera in a new Italian production of the show this summer.

The fresh vision for Andrew Lloyd Webber, Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe's musical is produced by Broadway Italia, and will be directed by Federico Bellone. It will be staged in English at Teatro Stabile del Friuli Venezia Giulia in Trieste, with performances starting on July 4. Tickets go on sale March 9.

This will mark the first time that Phantom has been seen in Italy, and the production will reportedly include innovative special effects, including a flaming chandelier with the Phantom on it.

The musical premiered in the West End in 1986 and has since become one of the most popular and longest-running shows in theater history. It on tinues its run at its usual haunt, the West End's Her Majesty's Theatre, in the West End, with a new cast set to be led by Jon Robyns arriving this spring. The record-setting Broadway run at the Majestic Theatre is scheduled to conclude on April 16 after 35 years.

Karimloo has played the Phantom in London's West End, Korea, and in the 25th Anniversary Concert at the Royal Albert Hall.