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After several rounds of tough auditions, the award-winning Minnetonka High School Drama Department has cast its biggest show ever-Andrew Lloyd Webber's romantic masterpiece, The Phantom of the Opera. With performances beginning April 29th, it will be the musical's first ever Minnesota production.
To create excitement about auditions, Minnetonka Theatre launched a campaign titled "Who will wear the mask?" which quickly spread across campus and resulted in MHS's largest turn out to date. With director Kent Knutson leading the way, all of the grandeur and stage magic expected from the Broadway production will be presented on the Arts Center stage.
"This has been my dream role since I saw the movie in 7th grade-I listen to the recording all of the time!' confesses Kelsey Peterjohn, MHS senior, who will be taking on the lead role of Christine Daeé. "The role is very demanding, and I am so excited to be pushed as an actress. Minnetonka's productions rival many professional theatres, and this show will be one of our biggest and best ever!"
"Phantom is the definition of Broadway. To be able to do this show in high school is going to be awesome but also challenging," says Ryan McCartan, MHS senior, who stars as The Phantom. "Don't take for granted that this is The Phantom of the Opera by a high school, it is so much bigger than people are going to expect. The whole cast is really excited!"
The Phantom of the Opera Cast List
The Phantom.............................................................................................Ryan McCartan Christine Daeé.........................................................................................Kelsey Peterjohn Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny.........................................................................David Knoblauch Carlotta Giudicelli......................................................................................Katherine Fried Ublado Piangi..................................................................................................Ryan Fargo Monsieur Firmin..........................................................................................Shawn Gaebel Monsieur André............................................................................................Luke Johnson Madame Giry...............................................................................................Savanna Naini Meg Giry..............................................................................................Taylor Kelly-Murray Monsieur Armond...........................................................................................Eric Sargent Monsieur Renald...........................................................................................Kurt Wallgren Joseph Buquet..........................................................................................Tipper Langseth Auctioneer..................................................................................................Jacob Fossing Madame Firmin..........................................................................................Audrey Thayer Monsieur Reyer............................................................................................Kyle Siefering Monsieur Lefèvre.........................................................................................Nick Churchill Porter/Marksman/Fop (in "Il Muto") ........................................................David Frankenfield Don Attilo (in "Il Muto")/Passarino..............................................................Jacob Lahammer Slave Master (in "Hannibal") ........................................................................Jake Hammond Stage Manager.............................................................................................Zach Churchill Stagehand......................................................................................................Tom Guyn Policeman.....................................................................................................Jeremy Scott Page 1& 2 (in "Don Juan Triumphant") ...........................................................James Wiersum Jack Morton Porter/Chief Fire Officer.................................................................................Jacob Fazzio Wardrobe Mistresses/Confidants (in "Il Muto) ...................................................Ellen Schwartz Maggie Weiss Princess (in "Hannibal") ...................................................................................Jesse Landa Innkeeper's Wife (in "Don Juan Triumphant") .................................................. Ellie Andersen Two Fire Marshals........................................................................................John Cushing Adam Brausen Two Epicene Men (a hairdresser and jeweler) ....................................................Will Hoverman Grant Ruckheim Corps de Ballet Isabella Barberena Mallory Dubois Jessica Haugen Marissa Kuhnly Madison McDaniel Hannah Roth Maddie Scott Clare Seeman
Ensemble: Stagehands, Policemen, AttendantsRachel Amerhein, Portia Bartley, Mantha Carr, Julia Christensen, Katelin Delorenzo, Maddie Garces, Madeline Hirschuber, Olivia Hultgren, Noelani Kallerig, Nikki Kallman, Chandra Kethi-Reddy, Sarah Knoblauch, Hailey Kragness, Ethan Lauer, Emily LeCrone, Matt Lindholm, Shelby Nyman, Gabe Sell, Laura Shellum, Allison Spencer, Matt Sumners, Elza Thayer, Brooke Wahlstrom, Lily Wilson