Cameron Mackintosh’s spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera is ready for its triumphant return to Fort Lauderdale engagement at The Broward Center for the Performing Arts. With newly reinvented staging and stunning scenic design, this new version of Phantom is performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making this one of the largest productions on tour in North America.
Andrew Lloyd Webber said, “Having received great critical acclaim in the U.K. and North America, I am really pleased that Laurence Connor’s new production of Phantom will continue to tour the U.S. playing in tandem with the Broadway production which just celebrated 30 years at the Majestic Theatre.”
Cameron Mackintosh said, “With Phantom still the reigning champion as the longest-running production on Broadway after 30 phenomenal years, with no end in sight, I’m delighted that this spectacular new production of Phantom has been as well-received in the U.S. as the brilliant original and has already been seen by over 3.7 million people across North America since it opened in November 2013. With an exciting new design and staging, retaining Maria Björnson’s amazing costumes, the new PHANTOM is thrilling audiences and critics alike all over again. With the production continuing to be such a success, we are delighted to welcome our exciting new stars to keep the music of the night soaring for many years to come.”
Cameron Mackintosh’s spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera is presented by Cameron Mackintosh, The Really Useful Group, and NETworks Presentations. Directed by Laurence Connor, with choreography by Scott Ambler, set design by Paul Brown, Tony Award®-winning original costume design by Maria Björnson, lighting design by Tony Award®-winner Paule Constable, sound design by Mick Potter, and musical supervision by John Rigby. The production is overseen by Matthew Bourne and Cameron Mackintosh. The Phantom Of The Opera: music by Andrew Lloyd Webber; lyrics by Charles Hart (with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe); book by Richard Stilgoe and Andrew Lloyd Webber; orchestrations by David Cullen and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
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.
It was a pleasure to sit down with Eva Tavares who plays the lead role of Christine Daaé for this exclusive Hotspots interview:
Were you always a performer even as a child?
I started dancing when I was about 2 ½ and moved into singing when I was in High school. But yes, I was always on stage in some way.
What was your first professional gig?
When I was in university, my friend from high school and I got back tracks from Jazz standards and were hired to sing as a Farmers Market. We got paid a little, but the tips were amazing.
Was Opera always part of your repertoire or when did that happen?
My grandmother was a professional opera singer, and always tried to convince me to sing opera, but I resisted. However, when I was 15 I started at the Vancouver Opera Children’s Chorus, and there is where I, fell in love with it.
When did you know performing would be your career?
I think I always wanted it to be. However, halfway through university it hit me that performing was going to be my life.
Other than Christine, what has been your favorite role, and why?
Maria in West Side Story. She is such an amazing woman and she goes through a tremendous journey in that show. That show forces the cast to become really close really quickly. It creates a family dynamic and creates very important messages for the audience.
What is your fantasy role?
I would love to do Clara in Light in the Poazza, as she is a complex character and her story is so unusual.
What should the Florida audiences expect from this production of Phantom of the Opera?
This production is an amped up version of everything you know and love of Phantom. We have so many extras: more fire, different sets, and special effects. However, the things you know and love about Phantom are still there. Even my straight brother who generally dislikes shows, liked this show!
For more information on Eva, check out her out on Instagram.com/eva.l.tavares
Tickets for The Phantom of the Opera will be available at the Broward Center AutoNation Box Office, 201 SW Fifth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33312, browardcenter.org or call 954.462.0222. Ticket prices start at $40.25.
For more information on the production and a video sneak peek, please visit: ThePhantomOfTheOpera.com/ustour/.
