. With iPads, iPhones, constant streaming, its always a gamble if a live show will hold their attention. Sept. 16, 2022 "The Phantom of the Opera," the longest-running show in Broadway history and, for many, a symbol of musical theater, will drop its famous chandelier for the last time in February,. Tell me about your journey with The Phantom of the Opera, from your introduction to the musical to getting the offer to play the title role. Ruling Planet: Ben Crawford has a ruling planet of Mercury and has a ruling planet of Mercury and by astrological associations Wednesday is ruled by Mercury. We understand that John passed away in the 1990s, although precise information is hard to come by. Michael Crawford surprises audience at Phantom of the Opera You will be surprised by how it still manages to thrill and impress. But there is one major difference between Crawford's masked menace and those that came before.. Sierra Boggess, who will play Christine in the first French version of Phantom, performed the song Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again accompanied by Lord Lloyd-Webber on piano. You are always just mentally taking notes and absorbing that. | He replaced Brian d'Arcy James as Shrek during Shrek the Musical's original 2008 Broadway run. The Bad Cinderella choreographer used to be asked, "what are you?" 2. Logan Culwell-Block [36], Crawford was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1988 and Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2014 New Year Honours for charitable and philanthropic services, particularly to children's charities.[38]. 17, ahead of Queen Victoria, in the, BroadwayWorld UK Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for, Label: Union Square Music/FanFare (FANFARE091), Label: Union Square Music/FanFare (FANFARE155), This page was last edited on 25 April 2023, at 19:12. 'Music of the Night' - Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman - YouTube Please consider supporting us bywhitelisting playbill.com with your ad blocker.Thank you! It will air on CBS and . Hes someone I look up to when it comes to that. | Margaret Hall The Phantom of the Opera: The Music of the Night Plays On (and On) In addition to his stint the Broadway production, Lampel went on tour with the show supervising the rigging when the Phantom wreaked havoc on the Kennedy Center in Washington, the Wang Theatre in Boston, and other venues. I felt such awe watching Michael doing Stephen Sondheimin a role Id obviously love to do. | NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 24: Ben Crawford as "The Phantom" makes a speech as "The Phantom of the Opera" celebrates 13,000 Performances on Broadway at The Majestic Theatre on April 24, 2019 in New York City. He was cast and shared top billing with Barbra Streisand and Walter Matthau. Are you a Phan of the Phantom? Notable West End credits include Passion, The Fix and Dirty Dancing as well as screen acting and writing. He originated the role of Don Price in the original 2013 Broadway production of Big Fish. Back on Earth, alternate Christine, Claire Mooreis now a highly respected vocal coachand famously originated the role of Ellen in the Drury Lane production of Miss Saigon. It wasnt because he was trying to pull a disappearing act. His matinee-idol good looks also earned him roles on TVs The Young and the Restless and Another World and his death was a huge loss to the world of entertainment. Phantom of the Opera Cast Update 2021 - theatregold.com At the request of Liz Kirschner, wife of film producer David Kirschner, he obtained the role of Cornelius in 20th Century Fox's animated film Once Upon a Forest, which was produced by her husband. I cant imagine how it is for other long-running shows, but for us its a pretty easy process, current Phantom Ben Crawford says. John Aron "Don't ask me to tell you those names," he said. Michael Crawford Once you got the gig, where did you start? But her approval was never a given. But for the time being, we will think ofPhantomvery fondly. "I went in originally for the tour, and it came down between me and someone else," Crawford said of the audition process. You are now signed up for BroadwayBox discount alerts. Zodiac Sign: Ben Crawford is a Gemini. Blocking belongson the stage,not on websites. | As an adult taking in the show many years later, it astonished me how much I took to Phantom once again. Crawford's landing of the role was due in large part to the coincidence that Sarah Brightman had taken lessons with the same vocal coach as Crawford. It was well-received, becoming a favourite of Margaret Thatcher as well as the Queen Mother. Lloyd Webber had met Crawford socially several times and remembered him from his work in Flowers for Algernon. Winners of the Dorothy Loudon Award and the special honorees have also been announced. Photographed by Jenny Anderson at The Spaniard Restaurant. He isnt afraid to do whatever it takes to get what he wants. During the Eighties, conservative politics and Reaganomics held sway as the Berlin Wall crumbled, new computer technologies emerged and blockbuster movies and MTV reshaped pop culture. But even though he was not there in person, Crawford was there in spirit, wishing everyone an unforgettable closing night, and saying, my heart is full of love and gratitude for everyone involved in this production including all who are celebrating tonight at the Majestic Theatre, and those from the original and truly special creative team and Broadway company who are no longer with us.See Crawfords full remarks below. I went in for the tour and things were close and didnt work out. Crawford said one of the perils of playing the Phantom was having to avoid the holes where candles came up through the stage floor. Ben Crawford is a commanding and confidently bellowing Phantom, even if the characterization never quite escapes the hamminess of its creator, Michael Crawford (to whom Ben does not appear to be related). Julia Udine is the Christine alternate. | Phantom of the Opera returns to the Majestic on October 22. Michael Crawford was not the only Phantom sidelined this evening by a medical emergency. Lester also cast him in the film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's musical A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and How I Won the War, which starred Roy Kinnear and John Lennon (during the filming of which he lived in London with Lennon and his first wife Cynthia, and Gabrielle Lewis). "The opening of 'Phantom' was an AIDS benefit and I was on the committee, so I took my mother to the opening," said the humorist. People come and say the show is in really good shape and it doesnt feel like its 31 years old, Crawford says. On June 22, 2022 he announced his engagement via Instagram to former-Phantom costar, Kelsey Connolly. Whos the richest Stage Actor in the world. Michael Crawford - IMDb But there was one opera ghost who was missing. Laird Mackintosh played the role for the show's final performance. I was taken to Phantom as a child, and Ive now instilled a tradition with my own child of attending the show. Margaret Hall | Discount tickets for Broadway shows and much more. Who submitted the winning bid, Lampel can't tell you. Dehydration and exhaustion developed into the post-viral condition myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and it took Crawford six years to fully recover. Bookmark this page and come back often for updates. That's because on April 16, Phantom played its last show on Broadway, after running for 35 years and almost 14,000 performances. But there is one major difference between Crawfords masked menace and those that came before. Ben Crawfords intense, slightly menacing take on the Svengali music teacher was utterly captivating. Ubaldo Piangi May 1, 2023, By VideoThe secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure, LGBT troops take love for Eurovision to front line, Why an Indian comedian is challenging fake news rules. And now it's time to say goodbye to the magic, the music, and the man behind the mask. Cameo lets you book personalized videos from your favorite people. He replaced Brian dArcy James as Shrek during Shrek the Musicals original 2008 Broadway run. The 'Phantom' and its famous chandelier are packing it in The OG Phantom was not in attendance on the closing night of the hit Broadway show, but he left a note. JanetDevilish He went on: "Everybody says what a huge spectacle Phantom is, but it is in fact a very simple set.". Check back on Monday, April 17 for Playbills full coverage from the closing night of Phantom of the Opera. The one that SPOILER ALERT! In 1998, Crawford began Michael Crawford: Live In Concert tour around the United States. The role of Meg Giry is currently played by Daisy Alice Hulbert. The Broadway staging of the London-originated show won seven 1988 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. At Phantom, its very much business onstage and a lot of fun offstage, but know where that line is and dont push it too much. The immense popularity that followed the sitcom was due perhaps to the unusual amount of physical comedy involved. Hair and makeup by Austin Thornton and Gianna Yanelli. Thank you for carrying on the legacy of this beautiful show for thirty-five years. Steve Barton "It's a beautiful show, and the lighting design is a spectacular thing to have worked on," he said. The album also features Wayne Brady, Alex Brightman, and Dashaun Wesley. Original Phantom Star Michael Crawford Pens Tribute to Show for Closing Jeffrey Vizcano Someone was very mad at me on Twitter because I didnt do it how Howard McGillin does it, Crawford jokes. The film performed poorly at the box office but years later gained a cult following among Disney fans. Categories. His maternal grandmother was born in County Londonderry, Ireland, and lived to be 99 years old. Crawford said he had always been a fan of comedians such as Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Laurel and Hardy, as well as the great sight gags employed in the days of silent film, and saw Some Mothers as the ideal opportunity to use such humour himself. At the end of the Second World War, his mother remarried, this time to a grocer, Lionel Dennis "Den" Ingram. In 2006, he made a small concert tour of Australia and New Zealand, as well as a one-night benefit to open the LaSalle Bank Theatre in Chicago. Originally, the part had been offered to comedy actor Ronnie Barker but after he and Norman Wisdom had turned it down, Crawford took on the challenge, adopting a similar characterisation to that which he used when playing Brian Runnicles. The Phantom of the OperaLive on BroadwayApril 1, 2023 (Evening Performance)Starring: Ben Crawford (The Phantom), Emilie Kouatchou (Christine Daa), Paul Adam. The final curtain came down Sunday on New York's production of "The Phantom of the Opera," ending Broadway's longest-running show with thunderous standing ovations, champagne toasts and gold and silver confetti. BEN CRAWFORD was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona and received a BFA in Music Theatre from The University of Arizona (Bear Down). So has the man in charge of it. lost, reportedly due to underhanded investments by his agent,[11] Crawford faced a brief period of unemployment, in which he helped his wife stuff cushions (for their upholstery business) and took a job as an office clerk in an electric company to pass the time between. [2] After a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Crawford returned to the role in October 2021 and was set to be the final Phantom when the show closed after a record 35 year run on Broadway. [1], Crawford made his debut performance in The Phantom of the Opera on April 16, 2018, following the tenure of Peter Joback. Since the late 1980s, Crawford has affiliated himself with various charities, particularly for the good of children. I disrupted the whole opening. And worlds apart from the Phantoms I remembered, especially the soft baritone of Michael Crawford. The couple moved to Herne Hill[7] in London, where Crawford attended Oakfield Preparatory School, Dulwich, where he was known as Michael Ingram. Anniversary Special! 25 Phabulous Phacts In Honor of The Phantom of the In the late 1990s, Michael began a long-term relationship with Natasha MacAller, an American dancer and chef. Ben Crawford Stage Actor Birthday May 22, 1982 Birth Sign Gemini Birthplace Arizona Age 40 years old #54906 Most Popular Boost About Actor who rose to prominence for being the replacement for the titular character during Shrek the Musical's original 2008 Broadway run. Brian dArcy James was always so welcoming and inclusive to me and the rest of the cast. One performance, done at the Cerritos Arts Center in Los Angeles, was filmed and broadcast on PBS for their annual fundraiser. Now she's made diversity part of her ethos. October 31st, 2018 Several months passed, during which Lloyd Webber had already created a pitch video featuring his then-wife Sarah Brightman as the female lead Christine, and British rocker Steve Harley as the Phantom, singing the title song in the manner of a contemporary new wave video. The role of Monsieur Andr is currently played by Mark Oxtoby. But some come in with preconceived notions about such a beloved show. Crawford was not the first choice for the role of Frank Spencer in Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em. Crawford said he was, but the show was still in the early planning stages, and nothing had been decided. He got "Crawford" from a passing "Crawford's Biscuits" truck. She remained enraptured throughout the entire production. (Photo by Bruce Glikas/Getty Images). CA License # A-588676-HAZ / DIR Contractor Registration #1000009744 In 1986 this production, with a new cast, though still headed by Crawford, was recorded for television and broadcast by the BBC. There was a brief hiatus until popular demand saw it revived for a final series in 1978. He replacedBrian d'Arcy Jamesas Shrek during Shrek the Musical's original 2008 Broadway run. He switched his major to theater one year into his studies. Crawford was unable to sing because of a bacterial infection but was cheered at the curtain call, stepping to the side of the stage. It has given, I hope, audiences, for the last thirty-five years, an experience that will stay with them for years to come. Experience the sound of genius in the making , Hamilton now on sale! Three special programs created in conjunction with The Al Hirschfeld Foundation will also be presented. The Phantom of the Opera became the longest-running show in Broadway history January 9, 2006, when it surpassed the nearly 18-year run of Cats. I didnt grow up a musical theatre kid. In 2004 he was cast as the obese Count Fosco in Andrew Lloyd Webbers The Woman in White. In 1986, he began his performance in London at Her Majesty's Theatre. Rosemary Rosie Asheis currently touring in Sister Act, playing the role of Sister Mary Lazarus. ", "The Phantom of the Opera," Majestic Theatre, 245 W. 44th St., through April 16. us.thephantomoftheopera.com, The internet is obsessed with the feline 'Phantom of the Opera', A cat on the internet has racked up millions of views due to his striking resemblance to the 'Phantom of the Opera. Ben is the oldest of 4 children. It seems audiences all around the world just cant get enough of the Opera Ghost and his ethereal protg. Hard work, but Hal [Prince, the director] was such a genius in how he gave you enough detail as an actor to find the character, but he didnt give so much that theres a specific form that each actor has to fit into. It worked. Every Phantom walks down these stairs backwards, he says, and I said, I will fall on my ass. After performing in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, and with offers of work greatly reduced and much of his salary from Hello, Dolly! At the same time, he appeared in hundreds of BBC radio broadcasts and early BBC soap-operas, such as Billy Bunter of Greyfriars School, Emergency - Ward 10, Probation Officer, and Two Living, One Dead. I saw Michael Cerveris in Sweeney Todd. almost comes crashing down on the audience, as a result of the Phantom's nefarious doings. 1. Where barring any phantoms in the house it will hopefully remain. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 24: Ben Crawford as "The Phantom" makes a speech as "The Phantom of the Opera" celebrates 13,000 Performances on Broadway at The Majestic Theatre on April 24, 2019 in New York City. I was utterly blown away. "We've kept it from coming down a couple of times," he said. "It's a very, very special show in a very, very special theatre.". The original Broadway cast featured Michael Crawford, Sarah Brightman, Judy Kaye, and the late Steve Barton. And this is why Ben Crawfords approach utterly fascinated me. It's a job for which he's well qualified: he's been in the theatrical lighting business for years. He floats! He is a patron of the Lighthouse Foundation in Australia, and has also been President of the Sick Children's Trust since 1987. They're not afraid of the hardships in life, but they also tend to worry too much sometimes. "Ben Crawford and Kelsey Connolly Announce Engagement", "Ben Crawford Is Broadway's The Phantom of the Opera Starting April 16", Laird Mackintosh Will Play Phantom of the Opera's Final Broadway Performance; Principal Ben Crawford Sidelined, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ben_Crawford_(singer)&oldid=1152300654, Courfeyrac / Factory Foreman / Brujon / Champmathieu, This page was last edited on 29 April 2023, at 11:39. She and her husband had arrived early for her lesson, and it was while waiting that they chanced to hear Crawford practising the aria Care Selve, from the opera Atalanta by Handel. After The War Lover, Crawford briefly returned to the stage and, after playing the lead role in the 1963 British film Two Left Feet, was offered a role in the British television series, Not So Much a Programme, More a Way of Life, as the Mod-style, tough-talking, motorbike-riding Byron. Meg Giry While we don't know Ben Crawford birth time, but we do know his mother gave birth to his on a Saturday. Bens shirt is by Stephen F; bow tie by J. Crawford and Lewis, however, have two children named Lucy Crawford and Emma Crawford. Three special programs created in conjunction with The Al Hirschfeld Foundation will also be presented. In 1995, Crawford was seriously injured inan accidentduring a performance of the $70m EFX show in Las Vegas a show which saw him slide from a wire at the back of the 1,700-seat MGM Grand Theatre and drop 12 feet onto the stage. His Broadway credits include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Mr. Salt . Broadway will be back: So happy Phantom of the Opera - Culturess [28] He left the production on 5 February 2012; the same day as co-star Danielle Hope played her final performance as Dorothy. "It's the most superb show. Later in his career,Steve took over the lead role of the 4th Phantom in the Broadway production. "Then it goes to a complete blackout. Post-Phantom, Brightman enjoyed huge success to become the worlds richest female classical performer, with an estimated fortune of 36m. 6. "It's been hanging there for 35 years. In 2001, Steve Barton tragically passed away aged just 47. 5. 2023 Tonys Nominations Predictions For Every Category - Variety Fighter jets are roaring over my home in Sudan, Russia launches missile attacks on Ukraine, MasterChef Australia host Jock Zonfrillo dies. sabbath school superintendent opening remarks P.O. 'Phantom of the Opera,' Broadway's Longest-Running Show, to Close May 1, 2023, By The shows original Phantom, Michael Crawford, was notably absent. The isle was where his mother had grown up and where Crawford would later live with his mother and maternal grandparents. Hes made himself into this supervillain through his ingenuity and desires and his intelligence. He went on to appear as a performer in On the Twentieth Century and Mr. Salt in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. | Dont get me wrong, all the magical moments still shine: Phantoms solo hanging above the statue (All I Ask of You) still gives me goosebumps; the exciting descent into the Paris catacombs; Phantom appearing in the mirror made me gasp; the exuberance of the Masquerade; and of course the chandelier crash. Michael Crawford - Wikipedia The actor received a standing ovation from a. I call it my CrossFit. The Bad Cinderella choreographer used to be asked, "what are you?" Logan Culwell-Block Hes a supervillain. 'The Phantom of the Opera' closes on Broadway after 35 years Phantom at 30: Tears & Tragedies of the Original London Cast Broadway Replacement Stars That Left Us Stunned: The Phantom of the Dont worryCrawford and company arent reinventing the show. It went on to win three Academy Awards, was nominated for a further four (including Best Picture), and is now considered to be one of the greatest musical films ever. Sign up for reopening news, announcements, and exclusive discounts on tickets to your favorite shows! Sarah Brightman andClaire Moore Speaking onstage at Her Majesty's Theatre on Monday night, Lord Lloyd-Webber recalled how Crawford had been recommended to him by the singing teacher of his then-wife Sarah Brightman. Jun. 22 - 30: Ashley Blanchet, Ben Crawford, Claybourne Elder, Ann The production also features musical staging and choreography by Gillian Lynne, scenic and costume design by Maria Bjrnson, lighting design by Andrew Bridge, and sound design by Martin Levan with Caddick as music director. Michael Crawford, the original star of Phantom of the Opera, made a surprise appearance on stage as the musical celebrated its 30th anniversary. The late Harold Prince directed. . The productions nearly 14,000 performances have been seen by 19.5 million people and grossed $1.3 billion. Early into the run, Crawford suffered an accident during a performance (which involved him sliding from a wire hanger from the back of the theatre all the way to the stage and then jumping down 12 feet (3.7m) to the stage itself) and left the show to recover from his injury, which resulted in an early hip replacement operation.[21]. Actor who rose to prominence for being the replacement for the titular character during Shrek the Musical's original 2008 Broadway run. Ben Crawford - Biography - IMDb [11], Many critics were sceptical; Crawford was still largely pigeonholed as the hapless Frank Spencer, and questions were asked about Crawford's ability to manage such a vocally and dramatically demanding role. Follow us on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, on Instagram, or if you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk. Crawford and Deborah Grant headed the cast. Final cast, crew, and orchestra of Broadway's, READ: Every Actor Who's Played the Angel of Music and Christine in, Al Hirschfeld Exhibit Extends at Museum of Broadway, The Lusty Month of May's 2023 Playbill Horoscopes, From 'Not Asian Enough' to Broadway Choreographer, JoAnn M. Hunter is in Charge Now, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, DArcy Carden, Jodie Comer, More Are 2023 Theatre World Award Winners, National Children's Chorus to Make Carnegie Hall Solo Debut. Andrew Lloyd Webbers Phantom of the Opera will return to the Great White Way this Fall, like so many other shows that have been gutted by COVID-19. He made his film debut in 1958 with leading roles in two children's films, Blow Your Own Trumpet and Soapbox Derby, for The Children's Film Foundation in Britain.[12]. However, he was forced to leave the show three months later because of ill health caused by dehydration resulting from the enormous fat-suit he wore during the performance. Prior to last years spring, I hadnt seen the musical in decades, and I was shocked by how much it still thrilled me after all this time. Initially, only two series were produced, from 1973 to 1975, while the show's creators felt that it should stop while at its peak. Do Not Sell. John Savident There have been 16 Phantoms of the Opera on Broadway from Michael Crawford, who originated the role, to Ben Crawford (no relation), who will ring down the curtain, after an unprecedented 35 year run, on April 16. Crawford's acting career took off again after he appeared on the London stage in the farce No Sex Please, We're British, in which he played the part of frantic chief cashier Brian Runnicles. He has also done various Michael Crawford International Fan Association (MCIFA) exclusive concerts around the US. By We did that with a number of items on the show, and it was all a fundraiser driven through Equity fights AIDS.". Crawford is best known for playing both the hapless Frank Spencer in the sitcom Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em and the title role in the musical The Phantom of the Opera. Crawford had dashed to join the celebrations after performing in his own West End musical, The Go-Between, which ends its run this week at the Apollo Theatre. "When the chandelier began to fall, I screamed. Frankly, it would be difficult to accept him as such a romantic counterpart in our times. Ben Crawford, The Phantom of the Opera's current leading manand former Broadway.com vloggeris starting to go a little stir-crazy. The role of Piangi is currently played by Paul Ettore Tabone. | Howard is this ethereal specter on stage! You might be a Musical Theatre Superfan! What Ben Crawford Does That No Other Broadway Phantom Has, Thirty-one years into the unprecedented run, this actor still makes, Al Hirschfeld Exhibit Extends at Museum of Broadway, The Lusty Month of May's 2023 Playbill Horoscopes, From 'Not Asian Enough' to Broadway Choreographer, JoAnn M. Hunter is in Charge Now, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, DArcy Carden, Jodie Comer, More Are 2023 Theatre World Award Winners, National Children's Chorus to Make Carnegie Hall Solo Debut.
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