Photos: Hugh Panaro Celebrates New Solo Recording With Sold-Out 54 Below Concert

Hugh Panaro—who played over 2,000 performances in the title role of Broadway's The Phantom of the Opera—returned to 54 Below March 6 to celebrate the release of his debut solo recording, Man Without a Mask, which was recorded live at the Manhattan venue over two sold-out nights.

Richard Jay-Alexander again directed the concert with musical direction by Joseph Thalken and Brian Holtz on bass.

Broadway favorite Panaro performed tunes from the vibrant new recording as well as the Annie anthem "Tomorrow" (the song that turned a young Panaro from a wannabe veterinarian to a wannabe actor) plus a heartfelt tribute to the late, three-time Tony honoree Chita Rivera.

About the celebratory concert, director Jay-Alexander told Playbill, "We played two shows in 2022 that were recorded live. We didn't know if the album was going to come out because all the digitized material in the hard drive collapsed.… We didn't know if this album was ever going to make it to life because there was just one problem after another. So that's the celebration that's taking place tonight! … I discovered Hugh back when nobody thought he was right to play Marius [in Les Misérables], and I disagreed. And the rest is history. I love him very much, and the show is so great."

The track list for the new recording follows:
"Something's Coming"
"Distant Melody"/"Neverland"
"Ah, Miss"/"Joanna"
"Not While I'm Around"
"Live With Somebody You Love"
"Why God, Why?"
"Make Believe"/'You Are Love'
"You Don't Bring Me Flowers"
"Bring Him Home"
"Empty Chairs at Empty Tables"
"One Plus One"
"You Have Never Failed Me"
"The Music of the Night"
"It Only Takes a Moment"
"Moon River"

In addition to playing the title role and Raoul in Phantom, Panaro's Broadway credits also include Lestat, Show Boat, Side Show, Les Misérables, and The Red Shoes. He also starred in the national tours of Martin Guerre, Show Boat, and Les Misérables.

Click here for more information about the Man Without a Mask recording.

Check out photos from the performance and celebration in the gallery below: