Ben Crawford Is Broadway’s The Phantom of the Opera Starting April 16

Ben Crawford, most recently on Broadway as Mr. Salt in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, takes over the title role in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera beginning April 16 at The Majestic Theatre.

//assets.playbill.com/editorial/e4efd854576008f6107749b393a3039e-1-peter-joback-as-the-phantom-by-joan-marcus.jpg — Peter Joback Joan Marcus

Crawford succeeds Peter Jöback, who played his final performance March 31. (During the interim period, the role of the Phantom was played by principal cast member Laird Mackintosh, who usually plays the role of Monsieur André.)

Crawford, whose Broadway credits also include the title role in Shrek The Musical, Big Fish, Les Misérables, and On the Twentieth Century, is the 16th actor to officially take over the role in the Broadway production.

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Producer Cameron Mackintosh said in an earlier statement, “It is always thrilling to find an exciting new Phantom, and in Ben Crawford, we have a real find. He will take this legendary musical into its fourth triumphant decade on Broadway, after its recent spectacular 30th Anniversary celebrations that were headed by acclaimed international star Peter Jöback, who will play his last performance as the Phantom at the end of this month.”

Crawford joins current principal cast members Ali Ewoldt as Christine, Rodney Ingram as Raoul, Laird Mackintosh as Monsieur André, Craig Bennett as Monsieur Firmin, Raquel Suarez Groen as Carlotta, Carlton Moe as Piangi, Maree Johnson as Madame Giry, and Kara Klein as Meg Giry. At certain performances, Kaley Ann Voorhees plays the role of Christine.

The Phantom of the Opera is produced by Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Group, has music by Lloyd Webber, direction by Harold Prince, lyrics by Charles Hart (with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe), and a book by Stilgoe and Lloyd Webber.