Phantom of the Opera: Elizabeth Loyacano to join cast

Elizabeth Loyacano is to join the Broadway production of Andrew Lloyd Webber�s The Phantom of the Opera on 8 Dec 2007. On that day, she�ll assume the role of the �Christine� Alternate, playing the leading female role of �Christine Daa� twice a week.

Loyacano joins the Broadway Company after originating the role of �Christine� in the original cast of the new Vegas production of the musical (newly-titled Phantom � The Las Vegas Spectacular). On Broadway, she�ll reunite on stage with Tim Martin Gleason (�Raoul�), who originated the role of �Raoul� in the Vegas production and recently returned to the New York cast in Sep 2007. She succeeds Julie Hanson, who played her final performance as the �Christine� Alternate on 15 Nov 2007.

Loyacano last appeared on Broadway in another Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, 'The Woman in White '-understudy for the title role- (2005). She made her Broadway debut in the Cameron Mackintosh presentation of the Royal National Theatre production of 'Oklahoma!' -understudy for �Laurie�- (2002 revival) and also appeared as 'Mina' in the musical 'Dracula' (2004).

Broadway's longest running musical, The Phantom of the Opera is the only Broadway show ever to reach 8,000 performancess. The show is currently booking to 22 Mar 2008.

The Phantom of the Opera stars Howard McGillin in the tile role with Jennifer Hope Wills as Christine.

Only one Original cast member remains with the show, and that is George Lee Andrews. On opening night he played the role of Don Attilio, he is currently cast as Monsieur Andre.

The musical also features Anne Runolfsson (Carlotta Giudicelli), David Cryer (Monsieur Firmin), Marilyn Caskey (Madame Giry), Heather McFadden (Meg Giry) and Wayne Hobbs (Ubaldo Piangi).

The musical features book by Richard Stilgoe and Andrew Lloyd Webber, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Charles Hart & Richard Stilgoe

In The Phantom of the Opera a hideously deformed Phantom lurks beneath the stage of the Paris Opera, exercising a reign of terror over its occupants. The phantom falls in love with the young Soprano devoting himself to creating a new star for the Opera by nurturing her extraordinary talents and employing all the skills at his disposal.

The Phantom of the Opera is directed by Harold Prince and has production design by the late Maria Bj�rnson, lighting by Andrew Bridge and sound by Martin Levan. Musical staging and choreography is by Gillian Lynne. Orchestrations are by David Cullen and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The musical is produced on Broadway by The Cameron Mackintosh/Really Useful Theatre Company, Inc.