For fans of one of the greatest singers in ze world... who can travel to Oz... singers AND fans!;-)
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,20612673-2902,00.htmlWarlow, hauntingly ours again
Alison Barclay, arts editor
October 20, 2006 12:00am
Article from: Herald-Sun
ANTHONY Warlow will return as the lead in Phantom of the Opera, 15 years after his unexpectedly early exit from the role that made him famous.
The Phantom of the Opera -- now the best-selling musical in history -- will open at the Princess Theatre on July 28 next year.
It is the third time round in Melbourne for the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, which played to more than 1.5 million people during its premiere season in 1990-91, and 300,000 in 1997-78.
"When we decided to do Phantom again in Australia we wanted to try to recreate the magic of that first season," co-producer Tim McFarlane said yesterday.
"That meant the Princess Theatre and Anthony. Anthony has been away from a big show for a while now; we weren't having to persuade him too much.
"He is delighted to be coming back and reclaiming the role. For many people, he is the person they associate with Phantom, even though he was in the role for only a year.
"Internationally he was regarded as one of the greatest Phantoms. He is a terrific actor with a sublime voice."
Warlow, now performing with Opera Australia in Sydney in The Pirates of Penzance, would not comment. However, Mr McFarlane confirmed he and co-producer John Frost had signed the singer for a "limited" Melbourne season with the option of a national tour.
Just 29 when he first played the Phantom, Warlow, 45, has earned acclaim in music theatre and operettas such as The Man of La Mancha and, last year in Melbourne, HMS Pinafore.
The Phantom -- a tale of unrequited love played out backstage at the Paris Opera -- had its world premiere in London in 1986. It has played to 80 million people, grossed $4.2 billion and won more than 50 major awards.
Seven productions are playing worldwide; the one now in Singapore will transfer to Melbourne next year in 23 shipping containers and acquire an Australian cast. Auditions will be held in Melbourne and Sydney in December.
"The Phantom is the biggest box office grossing entertainment ever -- bigger than any film, any other show. Nothing remotely comes close to it," Mr McFarlane said.
"The numbers are interesting but really what they say is that this show has enduring appeal to lovers of music theatre."
In 1991 Phantom brought an estimated $200 million to Melbourne in the depths of a recession.