Jay Armstrong Johnson Will Join THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA as New Raoul!

Beginning Monday evening, April 30, Broadway's Jay Armstrong Johnson will make his PHANTOM debut, assuming the role of Raoul, the dashing vicomte vying for the heart of the innocent soprano, Christine.

Jay Armstrong Johnson has appeared in the original Broadway casts of Hair (revival, in his Broadway debut), Catch Me If You Can, Hands on a Hardbody and On the Town, as well as in the national tour of A Chorus Line. Off-Broadway, he most recently appeared in the world premiere of Terence McNally's Fire and Air, as well as Wild Animals You Should Know, Working (Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Ensemble) and The Mad Ones.

Other New York City appearances include the title role in Harold Prince's recent production of Candide (New York City Opera), co-starring alongside Emma Thompson and Audra McDonald in Sweeney Todd with the New York Philharmonic (Avery Fisher Hall, filmed for PBS), The Most Happy Fella (City Center Encores!) and starring opposite Kelli O'Hara in Babes in Toyland (Carnegie Hall). On TV, he played 'Will Olsen' in the hit ABC drama "Quantico." His solo show Jay Armstrong Johnson LIVE at Feinstein's 54 Below is available on BroadwayRecords.com and iTunes. He is a native of Fort Worth, TX.

Mr. Johnson is the nineteenth man to officially take over the role of 'Raoul' in the Broadway production. He succeeds Rodney Ingram, who made international headlines in March 2017, when he joined the cast as a dual citizen of the United States and Mexico. After over 400 performances - including as part of the celebratory 30th Anniversary cast - Mr. Ingram's final performance will be Saturday evening, April 28.

Mr. Johnson and incoming leading man Ben Crawford (beginning as 'The Phantom' today, Monday, April 16), join current principal cast members Ali Ewoldt as 'Christine,' Laird Mackintosh as 'Monsieur André,' Craig Bennett as 'Monsieur Firmin,' Raquel Suarez Groen as 'Carlotta,' Carlton Moe as 'Piangi,' Maree Johnson as 'Madame Giry' and Kara Klein as 'Meg Giry.' At certain performances, Kaley Ann Voorhees plays the role of 'Christine.'

One of the most successful stage productions of all-time, the New York production of PHANTOM recently celebrated 30 Years - an unprecedented feat achieved by no other Broadway show. The New York production has played over 12,500 performances to more than 18 million people at The Majestic Theatre (247 West 44th Street).

Based on the classic novel Le Fantôme de L'Opéra by Gaston Leroux, The Phantom of the Opera tells the story of a masked figure who lurks beneath the catacombs of the Paris Opera House, exercising a reign of terror over all who inhabit it. He falls madly in love with an innocent young soprano, Christine, and devotes himself to creating a new star by nurturing her extraordinary talents and by employing all of the devious methods at his command.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is produced by Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Group, has music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and is directed by Harold Prince. Lyrics are by Charles Hart (with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe) and the book is by Richard Stilgoe and Andrew Lloyd Webber. The Phantom of the Opera has production design by the late Maria Björnson, lighting by Andrew Bridge and sound design by Mick Potter with original sound by Martin Levan. Musical staging and choreography is by Gillian Lynne. Orchestrations are by David Cullen and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The performance schedule for The Phantom of the Opera is Monday evenings at 8, Tuesday evenings at 7, Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 8, with matinees on Thursdays and Saturdays at 2. Ticket prices range from $29 - $155 with Premium Tickets also available. To order tickets, visit www.Telecharge.com or call (212) 239-6200. A daily digital lottery with $40 tickets for all performances is available by visiting www.PhantomBroadwayLottery.com.