Robert Cuccioli Returns to WBT in 'Phantom' thru Feb.9

Robert Cuccioli will again, don his mask as he returns to the Westchester Broadway Theatre stage in Phantom when it resumes December 27 and runs through February 9, 2008.

Cuccioli originated the role of the Phantom when Arthur Kopit/ Maury Yeston's Phantom made its New York Premiere at WBT on July 16, 1992, during the record breaking nine-month run.  Cuccioli went on star in Jekyll &  Hyde on Broadway (Tony award nomination, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards) and in Les Miserables.  Off Broadway, he was seen in Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, Temporary Help, And The World Goes Round (Outer Critics Circle Award) Gigi, and The Rothschilds.

Kate Rockwell, who appeared on the recent hit television reality show, "Grease: You're The One That I Want," appears as Christine in Maury Yeston & Arthur Kopit's Phantom.

Phantom was written by Arthur Kopit, with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston who were the Tony Award winning collaborators for the Broadway Musi­cal Nine.  Phantom is not to be confused with Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera. Both shows are based on the same Gaston LeRoux novel, with the Webber extravaganza being more like an opera, compl­etely sung. The Yeston/Kop­it Phantom is more of a traditional Broadway Musical with dia­logue and songs throug­hout.

"The story revolves around the central character of a man named Erik, (also known as the Phantom) who was born and raised in the cata­combs under the Paris Opera House. Through a series of circum­stances, he takes on as a pupil a young woman named Christ­ine, who has been a street singer. She has a natural talent and a beauti­ful voice, but she lacks the special training to perform in an Opera company. He agrees to take her on as a student with certain condit­ions, the main one being that she will never see his face. After a lot of hard work she eventually auditions for the company and is not only accepted but is given the oppor­tunity to play a principal part in an Opera. Without realizing it, they fall in love with each other. The rela­tionship becomes obsessive and impossi­ble, leading to a stunning conclusion," explain press notes,

For tickets call 914-592-2222. Groups call 592-2225. Dinner & Show range between $60 and $73 PLUS TAX depending on the performance chosen. Discounts for groups of 20 or more are available as well as discounts for children, students, and senior citi­zens at selected perform­ances.

Performances are Thursdays thru Sundays (with selected Wednesday Matinees & Eves): Wed. and Thurs. Matinee. - Lunch, 11:30am. Show 1pm. Thursday thru Saturday Eve. - Dinner, 6pm. Show, 8pm. Sunday Matinee - Lunch, 12 noon Show, 1:30pm. Sunday Evening - Dinner, 5pm. Show, 7pm. 

Luxury boxes are for private parties of 6 to 22. Enjoy dining and theatre in an elegant private box. Additional features include an expanded dinner menu, hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, a private powder room, andLuxury Box reserved parking.

Robert Cuccioli (photo by Linda Lenzi)

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