Another Phantom is leaving the building.
The musical, which is the longest running show in Broadway history, announced Monday that the Phantom, James Barbour, will leave the production on Dec. 23, 2017, after a close to three-year run. Ali Ewoldt will remain as Christine and Rodney Ingram will remain as Raoul through the Phantom’s 30th anniversary on Jan. 26, 2018.
Barbour’s successor is set to be announced soon, according to the press office.
There have been 15 Phantoms in the several decades the show has been on Broadway.
Laird Mackintosh, currently playing Monsieur André, will assume the role for the three weeks between Barbour and his to-be successor. Kayley Ann Voorhees, recently seen in the “Prince of Broadway,” will play Christine at certain performances starting November 6.
On October 30, opera singers Raquel Suarez Groen and Carlton Moe will make their Broadway debuts in the roles of Carlotta and Piangi, respectively, and will continue through the show’s anniversary.
Leading into the 30th anniversary, the musical has already hit some milestones, having played 12,500 performances and grossed more than $1 billion.
The musical, which currently has six productions running worldwide, boasts seven Tony Awards, which it won in 1988, as well as three Olivier Awards.
In addition to the proceeds from those productions, the original cast recording has given the producers a nice chunk of change, as it is the best-selling cast recording of all time, according to the press office.
