Before 'The Music of the Night': Honoring PHANTOM's New Leading Duo Norm Lewis & Sierra Boggess

Norm Lewis in LES MISERABLES, Sierra Boggess in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

BroadwayWorld broke the news earlier today that The Phantom of the Opera, now in its 26th year on Broadway, will welcome former 'LITTLE MERMAID' co-stars Norm Lewis and Sierra Boggess to the cast on Monday, May 12, at the Majestic Theater.

Lewis, who most recently triumphed in the legendary role of Porgy in The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess and dazzled at Lincoln Center's American Songbook, will return to Broadway in the ultimate musical role as The Phantom. Lewis will become the first African-American performer to star as The Phantom in the Broadway production. Boggess, of Broadway and West End fame, previously received acclaim starring as Christine Daaé in both the musical's London 25th Anniversary production at Royal Albert Hall and the Broadway 25th Anniversary cast last year. Boggess also played Christine in the world premiere production of LOVE NEVER DIES, the sequel, also planned by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

In honor of the pair joining one of The Great White Way's most beloved musicals, BroadwayWorld presents a look back at some of their finest performances and moments on stage!

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Lewis will soon don the Phantom's iconic mask - but before he does, check out a look back at the Tony nominee's performances from other musicals, including PORGY AND BESS and LES MISERABLES!

Boggess may have joined the cast of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, both in the West End and previously on Broadway, but she's also stormed the barricade in LES MISERABLES, and has put her stamp on various classics, including hits from THE SOUND OF MUSIC and THE WIZARD OF OZ.

In 2007, the duo went under the sea on the Great White Way in Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID. Boggess played the lovable Ariel, and Lewis, her father, the stern, though devoted, King Tritan.

Though Lewis will make his 'PHANTOM' debut, Boggess is well-known for her turns as Christine in both the original production, and Lloyd Webber's follow-up, LOVE NEVER DIES.

In December 2013, the duo reunited to honor Alan Menken at the Hammerstein Gala, where they were joined by fellow stage stars Zachary Levi, Liz Callaway and more. Check out highlights from the evening, including Boggess and Lewis performing together, below!

When the pair's casting was confirmed earlier today, Lloyd Webber said: "This is wonderful news. I can't wait to see Sierra Boggess and Norm Lewis perform together as Christine and Phantom. Broadway audiences are in for a treat."

They most certainly are!

Norm Lewis and Sierra Boggess join THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA on Monday, May 12. For more information and tickets, visit http://www.thephantomoftheopera.com/.

Photos by Walter McBride, Joan Marcus