Two Broadway stars will take the lead roles in the upcoming Asian debut of Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit musical "The Phantom of the Opera" at the Shanghai Grand Theater.

Brad Little will play the Phantom and soprano Marni Raab will perform heroine Christine.

Little has plenty of experience in the role, having played in the musical on Broadway and across America for more than 10 years.

Tim McFarlane, managing director of the Asia-Pacific division of the Really Useful Company, said the leading characters were selected by director Harold Prince from more than 40,000 candidates from America, Europe and Australia.

"Chinese audiences are familiar with Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford's classic acting," McFarlane said. "But the new cast have qualified through round-by-round auditions."

The musical's first run starts on December 18, followed by another 24 performances from January 11.

So far, more than 40 percent of seats for the first 27 performances have been sold.

Add of the Shanghai Grand Theater: No. 300 Renmin Da Dao, Shanghai
Tel: 021-63686868
Fax: 021-63184478

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Click here to make reservations.

(Shanghai Daily October 14, 2004)