Julia Udine News

Phantom Phans, "Make your choice!" The story and characters are the same; the staging, sets and choreography is significantly changed in this "newly refreshed" version of one of the arguably most popular musicals in history.

Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group has announced the casting and initial tour schedule for their spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA launching a major North American Tour in Providence, R.I. at the Providence Performing Arts Center. With newly reinvented staging and stunning scenic design, this new version of PHANTOM, the most successful musical of all-time, will be performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making this one of the largest productions on tour in North America.

In the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, a white mask adds intrigue and mystery to the identity of the Phantom. In real life, the 'newly reimagined' PHANTOM, with its multimillion dollar facelift by set designer Paul Brown, is hiding behind a similar mask.

Back as part of a national tour for the first time in 17 years, Linda Balgord finds herself in familiar, but new territory. Balgord plays Madame Giry in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, marking the fifth different character she's played in an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical.

The Chicago Tribune just posted a video of Ben Jacoby and Julia Udine performing 'All I Ask of You' from The Phantom of the Opera, which is currently on tour and running at Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre through March 2. Watch the duo sing below!

Cooper Grodin assumed the title role in the national tour of The Phantom of the Opera on January 9 in Chicago at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. He joins Julia Udine as 'Christine Daae,' Ben Jacoby as 'Raoul,' Jacquelynne Fontaine as 'Carlotta Giudicelli,' Craig Bennett as 'Monsieur Firmin,' Edward Staudenmayer as 'Monsieur Andre,' Linda Balgord as 'Madame Giry,' Frank Viveros as 'Ubaldo Piangi' and Hannah Florence as 'Meg Giry'. BroadwayWorld has a first look at him in action below!

The producers of the spectacular new national touring production of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA announced today that Cooper Grodin will assume the title role in the musical beginning today, January 9 in Chicago at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. Grodin steps in for Mark Campbell, who is no longer touring with the production due to personal reasons. He joins Julia Udine as 'Christine Daaé,' Ben Jacoby as 'Raoul,' Jacquelynne Fontaine as 'Carlotta Giudicelli,' Craig Bennett as 'Monsieur Firmin,' Edward Staudenmayer as 'Monsieur André,' Linda Balgord as 'Madame Giry,' Frank Viveros as 'Ubaldo Piangi' and Hannah Florence as 'Meg Giry'.

A spectacular new production of the venerable PHANTOM OF THE OPERA at Minneapolis' Orpheum Theatre includes inventive new staging and a brand new star: the new chandelier.

The spectacular new production of Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA will make its Twin Cities' premiere tonight, December 13, 2013 through January 5, 2014 at Hennepin Theatre Trust's Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis. With newly re-invented staging and stunning scenic design, this new version of PHANTOM has been an enormous success since its U.K. unveiling in March 2012.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. That 'Sound Of Music' show becomes a national conversation, 'Saving Mr. Banks,' The House 'Nutcracker,' two Scrooge twists, our January 'Phantom,' Dee Snider's show, the 'Meet John Doe' OSCR and our latest Broadway transfers!

The Opera Ghost is haunting again. Three years after the US touring company of 'The Phantom of the Opera' bowed for a final time in Los Angeles, a new anniversary production of 'Phantom' brings its curtain up in Providence, Rhode Island.

Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group present their spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, which launched a major North American Tour in Providence, R.I. at the Providence Performing Arts Center. With newly reinvented staging and stunning scenic design, this new version of PHANTOM, the most successful musical of all-time, is performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making this one of the largest productions on tour in North America. Below, check out a look back at the launch festivities with the cast and crew at the Grand Ballroom of The Biltmore Hotel!

The start of the Friday, November 29th 2013 preview performance of The Phantom of the Opera at the Providence Performing Arts Center was delayed due to a technical malfunction affecting the automated machinery on stage. The mechanism was restored and the performance began one hour late.

The spectacular new production of Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA will make its Twin Cities' premiere December 13, 2013 through January 5, 2014 at Hennepin Theatre Trust's Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis. With newly re-invented staging and stunning scenic design, this new version of PHANTOM has been an enormous success since its U.K. unveiling in March 2012.

BroadwayWorld just met the cast and you can check out an exclusive interview with Julia Rose Udine and Ben Jacoby, who play Christine and Raoul, below! Originally from Southern New Jersey, Julia studied vocally with Melissa Daniels and received ballet training from Andrea Duffin who both gave her the inspiration and courage to pursue her dreams. Theater credits include: Jack's Back (Jenny), West Side Story (Maria). TV:Law and Order SVU, All My Children. Ben has has called Chicago his home for the past year and comes to Phantom directly from the Chicago-area Marriott Theatre (South Pacific, Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 and Now and Forever: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber). Regionally, Ben has appeared at the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre (Willoughby in Sense and Sensibility), Maine State Music Theatre (Fabrizio in The Light in the Piazza) and in several productions at the Utah Shakespeare Festival including Tom in The Glass Menagerie and Leartes in Hamlet. He holds undergraduate degrees in English Literature and Theatre from Denison University and an MFA in Acting from UC Irvine.

Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group present their spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera launching a major North American Tour in Providence, R.I. at the Providence Performing Arts Center. With newly reinvented staging and stunning scenic design, this new version of PHANTOM, the most successful musical of all-time, will be performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making this one of the largest productions on tour in North America.

Just last week, Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group announced the casting and initial tour schedule for their spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera launching a major North American Tour in Providence, R.I. at the Providence Performing Arts Center. With newly reinvented staging and stunning scenic design, this new version of PHANTOM, the most successful musical of all-time, will be performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making this one of the largest productions on tour in North America. Meet the cast below!

Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group has announced the casting and initial tour schedule for their spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA launching a major North American Tour in Providence, R.I. at the Providence Performing Arts Center. With newly reinvented staging and stunning scenic design, this new version of PHANTOM, the most successful musical of all-time, will be performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making this one of the largest productions on tour in North America.

Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group just announced the casting and initial tour schedule for their spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA launching a major North American Tour in Providence, R.I. at the Providence Performing Arts Center. With newly reinvented staging and stunning scenic design, this new version of PHANTOM, the most successful musical of all-time, will be performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making this one of the largest productions on tour in North America.

Since their inception in 1996 the Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt-Managing Director) Rising Star Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theatre have ignited the careers of many notable performers, all of whom attended high school in New Jersey. Among the early nominees and winners are Academy Award® nominee Anne Hathaway, Tony® award winner Laura Benanti, and 2011 Tony® nominee, Nikki M. James.