News

Phantom Movie:

Gerard Butler

It's been confirmed that director Joel Schumacher has chosen a lead for the Andrew Lloyd Webber Phantom of the Opera movie. Gerard Butler, a Scottish actor in his early 30s, has been chosen for the lead role. "He’s the greatest," said Schumacher, "he’s like the Scottish version of Colin Farrell. He’s just a regular guy, he says it like it is. And he’s a fabulous singer. When he came in to audition he blew me and Andrew Lloyd-Webber away. He’s going to be a great Phantom - a young, sexy Phantom. And I know the Michael Crawford fans are going to be hysterical, but maybe they should stay home then... "

Gerard Butler is probably best known for his role of Dracula in Dracula 2000 and played Archie Brown in the 1997 movies Mrs. Brown starring Judi Dench.

Although many had hoped that Michael Crawford would be picked to reprise the role he originated on London's West End, the general consensus among those involved with the movie the past few years is that they were looking for a younger actor to play the role. However, this is also good news for those phans who were campaigning against the rumours that Antonio Banderas would be cast.

Obituary: Maria Bjornson

Maria Bjornson

Best-known to phans as the woman who designed both the sets and costumes for Phantom of the Opera was found dead inside her London home on December 13, 2002. Although no specific cause of death was ever reported, it is believed she died of natural causes relating to the heart.

Ms. Bjornson won two Tony awards for her work on Andrew Lloyd Webber's show, having designed what many in the theatre world believe to be one of the most complicated design projects. She was also seen in the PBS series "Royal Opera House" as she designed sets and costumes for a ballet and an opera at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden. Her last project was Houston Grand Opera's world premiere of The Little Prince.

Phantom Opened in Stuttgart

After having closed in Hamburg in 2001, Das Phantom der Opera returned to Germany when it opened in November 2002 in Stuttgart. In the role of the Phantom, Ian Jon Bourg is familiar to German-speaking audiences having performed the role in Hamburg and Basel. The Dutch singer Janine Kitzen took on the role of Christine.

The other principals for the premiere included: Jonas Holst as Raoul
Barbara Grey as Carlotta
Marcello Ronchietto as Piangi (performed the role in Copenhagen and Hamburg)
Marco Woytowicz as Andre
Ernst van Looy as Firmin
Gabriele Ramm as Mme Giry
Lara Glew as Meg Giry

For tickets: http://www.musical-das-phantom-der-oper.com/
A good site for those looking for information on Phantom in Germany is Sarah Maykopf's Das Phantom der Oper Online.

Phantom in Hungary

Budapest became the latest home for Andrew lloyd Webber's show when it contracted to open a production on May 30, 2003 at the Madách Theatre.

View the Official Site.