# **Grand Theatre Presents the 25th Anniversary High School Project: *The Phantom of the Opera*** ![Cast of The Phantom of the Opera perform in the rehearsal hall.](/sites/default/files/styles/hero/public/2023-09/Masquerade%20Rehearsal%201.jpg?h=2f83cd36&itok=nVpzuotE) Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber Lyrics by Charles Hart Additional Lyrics by Richard Stilgoe Book by Richard Stilgoe & Andrew Lloyd Webber Based on the novel “Le Fantôme de I’Opéra” by Gaston Leroux Originally directed by Harold Prince Orchestrations by David Cullen & Andrew Lloyd Webber Original Production by Cameron Mackintosh Ltd. and The Really Useful Group Ltd. Directed by Andrew Tribe On the Spriet Stage September 19 - October 7 Opening September 22 Season Sponsor: **BMO** Title Sponsor: **Western Fair District** 25th Anniversary Sponsors: **Provincial Glass and Mirror Ltd.** Program Sponsors: **Thames Valley District School Board**, **London District Catholic School Board, Westminster College Foundation** **September 13, 2023 – London ON** – From **September 19th** through **October 7th**, the music of the night will swell through the streets of London, Ontario, as the **Grand Theatre** proudly presents the **25th Anniversary** **High School Project (HSP)**: **Andrew Lloyd’s Webber’s** *The Phantom of the Opera*. Playing on the **Spriet Stage**, the silver anniversary production welcomes back two-time HSP director and alumnus**, Andrew Tribe** to lead one of the largest companies in the Project’s illustrious **25-year history**. “Many months of hard work and rigour will come together in less than one week as the Phantom makes his ‘grand’ entrance,” exclaims director, **Andrew Tribe**. “Our beautiful Grand Theatre is truly the perfect venue to bring to life this powerful story – a tender and warm tale about the power of compassion, resilience, learning to stand up for yourself, and seeing each other for our most authentic selves.” The *Phantom of the Opera* tells the story of a notorious masked figure, known as the Phantom, who lurks in the catacombs – far beneath the majestic **Paris Opera House**. A disfigured musical genius, the Phantom exercises a reign of terror and control over all who enter “his” opera house – including an innocent, young soprano. Mesmerized by her beauty and talent, the Phantom desires nothing more than to see her become a star of the operatic stage and to remain with him at the Opera for all time. And the consequences for anyone who stands in his way? Deadly. The *Phantom of the Opera* premiered in **London's West End in 1986** and on Broadway in New York City in **1988**. A multiple award-winning musical, the production won the **1986 Olivier Award** and the **1988 Tony Award for Best Musical**. A film adaptation, directed by **Joel Schumacher,** was released in **2004.** *The Phantom of the Opera* holds the record for the longest running show in Broadway history – where after playing for **35 years**, perfroming **13,981** performances to over **20 million audience** members, and grossing over **$1.3 billion**, it officially closed on **April 16, 2023.** The Grand’s High School Project production of *The Phantom of the Opera* is led by **Andrew Tribe** (Director), **Floydd Ricketts** (Music Director), and **Nicola Pantin** (Choreographer) – supported by **Hannah Elias** (Assistant Director) and **Matthew Atkins** (Associate Music Director). Lending their seasoned design talents to the milestone production are: **Lisa Wright** (Costume Designer), **Kimberly Purtell** (Lighting Designer), **Aaron Ouellette** (Sound Designer), and **Scott Penner** (Set Designer) – who designed the opulent set for the Grand’s highly-successful holiday production: *ELF – The Musical*. From an application pool of over **300 grade 9 through 12 student**s, *The Phantom of the Opera* company is one of the largest in the Project’s history. It is comprised of **48** students in **performing roles; 23** working in **production** (wardrobe, props, scenic art, sound, stage management, photography and marketing, backstage and lighting)**;** and **three** in the **orchestra.** Within the cast, the roles of **the Phantom, Christine, and Raoul** have been **double cast due** to the sheer strength of the students who auditioned. While the vast majority of students hail from the **London region,** some travel from as far as **Woodstock** and **Petrolia –** a true testament to the reputation of the program. Speaking to diversity and strength of the student performers, Tribe remarks: “It is thrilling to have a company made up of performers who come from a variety of backgrounds. Some are seasoned performers with years of acting and voice training, who are finding their own challenges posed by the material. And for some students, this is their first stage production! There is a wonderful rawness, freshness, and curiosity that comes from their work and serves as a reminder of that first moment we all fell in love with theatre.” The High School Project: ***The Phantom of the Opera*** plays on the **Spriet Stage** from **September 19th to October 7th, 2023. With over 11,000 tickets already sold,** seating is limited for a number of performances, with best ticket availability on **September 19th, 20th** and the matinee on **September** **27th**. Single tickets range from $**26 - $46.50** and are available at [www.grandtheatre.com](https://www.grandtheatre.com), by phone at 519-672-8800, or at the Box Office, 471 Richmond Street. The Grand Theatre gratefully acknowledges Season Sponsor **BMO**, *The Phantom of the Opera* Title Sponsor **Western Fair District**, 25th Anniversary Sponsor **Provincial Glass and Mirror Ltd.**, and Youth Program Sponsors **Thames Valley District School Board**, **London District Catholic School Board,** and **Westminster College Foundation**. To learn more about the **Grand Theatre’s 25th Anniversary High School Project**: ***The Phantom of the Opera***, please visit: grandtheatre.com/high-school-project. Additional facts, photos, and updates can also be found by following **@thegrandlondon** and **\#GrandPhantom** or **#HSP25** on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok. ## THE HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT (HSP) An acclaimed mentorship program unique in North America, the HSP began in 1998 with *West Side Story*. Since then, the Grand Theatre has produced 34 High School Projects. The HSP offers an exceptional opportunity for students to receive education and training in the working environment of a professional theatre, at no cost to the participants. High school students from the London area are mentored by professional artists and coaches in all departments (acting, stage management, props, wardrobe, scenic art, sound, lighting, orchestra, and photography), culminating in a production on the Grand's Spriet Stage. The initiative provides leadership, creative, and communication skills that serve these students on and off stage - in every area of their lives. The Grand Theatre wishes to acknowledge and honour the original stewards of the land on which our Theatre stands. Gratitude and recognition are extended to the Attawandaron (also known as Neutral), Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, and Lunaapewak peoples for preserving this land where we gather and create art. **About the Grand Theatre – World Curious. London Proud.** In the heart of downtown London, Ontario lies one of Canada’s oldest regional theatres and a leading cultural hub of today: the Grand Theatre. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Rachel Peake, and Executive Director Evan Klassen, the Grand proudly presents diverse, relevant, and original stories from around the globe – and around the corner – on its two stages. The not-for-profit theatre is committed to developing, producing, and premiering original stories through its COMPASS New Play Development program. Further, it is an ardent supporter of educational programming, as demonstrated through initiatives like the High School Project and Subsidized Student Matinees. For more information, visit: grandtheatre.com. Follow us on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/TheGrandLondon), [X](https://twitter.com/thegrandlondon), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/thegrandlondon/?hl=en), [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/TheGrandTheatre),[ LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-grand-theatre/), and [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@thegrandlondon?lang=en). **For more information please contact:** Caitlin Core, Communications Manager ccore \[at\] grandtheatre.com (ccore\[at\]grandtheatre\[dot\]com) 519-672-9030 ext. 266 ## HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA ### CAST Emma Bishop - Christine Tristan Brew - Auctioneer Blake Carey - Joseph Buquet Will Cramp - Raoul Evan Doerr - M. Lefevre Hosna Emami - Mme Giry Spence Jackson - Phantom Jordyn Gowling - Porter Isabelle Parent - Meg Ethan Pickett - M. Reyer Kieran Prouty - Phantom Camila Rodriguez - Christine Ryan Shaw - Andre Leo Sigut - Piangi Oliver Stanton - Raoul Isaac Szoldatits - Firmin Stella Yanga - Carlotta ### OPERA COMPANY Lauren Atkinson Luke Bahula Brooke Bourne Lauren Brooks Maggie Busch Theone "T" Damue Ethan Eyles Josephine Gajasan Manya Hegde Joel Howard Brynne Howey Bronwyn Kerr Cindy Li Morgan McLenaghan Olivia Phillips Erin Prouty Una Roulston Jessica Routledge Isabella Santarella Ryder Scarrow Alyssa Skiffington Navya Vaillancourt Desi vanBeek-Paterson ### CORPS DE BALLET Marissa Bastiaansen Petra Bilic Michael Dodge Ava Goddard Isabelle Hiltz Olivia Schiedel Madeline St. Arnaud Isabella Thompson ## PRODUCTION ### PROPS Nadia Barakziye Mariza Coelho Jessica Deschutter Riley Lindsay Sarena “Onyx” Nielsen Kate Telfer Matheo Van Der Mark ### WARDROBE Morrigan Beharriell Ayla Coates Mack Downe James Lightowler Meyer Liston Virginia McCallum Chandra Vaillancourt ### SCENIC ART Alexsandra “Alex” Caido Kyera Hodgins ### STAGE MANAGEMENT Jules Boughner Ana Martinez ### SOUND Floria Reichhardt Ruthie Rennie ### LIGHTING Leah Jardine ### AUTOMATION Amy Bae ### MARKETING & PHOTOGRAPHY Ronan Prior ### STUDENT MUSICIANS Riley Hales – Flute & Piccolo Eric Kang - Clarinet Franz Marsolais Hernandez - Keys II ### CREATIVE TEAM Andrew Tribe - Director Floydd Ricketts - Music Director Matthew Atkins - Associate Music Director Nicola Pantin - Choreographer Scott Penner - Set Designer Lisa Wright - Costume Designer Kimberly Purtell - Lighting Designer Aaron Ouelette - Sound Designer Hannah Elias - Assistant Director Anita Nittoly - Fight & Intimacy Director Alice Ferreyra Galliani - Stage Manager Devon Vecchio - Apprentice Stage Manager Andrew Rethazi - Vocal Coach ### MUSICIANS Matthew Atkins - Conductor Tony De Luca - Reeds Marianna Grigg - Cello Céline Murray - Violin Andrew Petrasinuas - Keyboard I Craig Robertson - Trumpet Jake Schindler - Keyboard III Filip Stasiak - Bass Kate Stone - French Horn