Nick Adams . Crawford earned his first Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical on the London stage. Since 1987, he has served as the leader and public face for the British social cause organization the Sick Children's Trust.[2]. He originated the role of Don Price in the original 2013 Broadway production of Big Fish. Mary Millar JUMP TO: Ben Crawfords biography, facts, family, personal life, zodiac, videos, net worth, and popularity. As an adult taking in the show many years later, it astonished me how much I took to Phantom once again. Hes someone I look up to when it comes to that. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Michael Crawford | Encyclopedia.com "That name was come up with in an actual bidding, to have the honor of naming the chandelier. Crawford appears in the only surviving episode of the 1960 British crime series Police Surgeon alongside Ian Hendry. I disrupted the whole opening. Phantom of the Opera returns to the Majestic on October 22. Ben Crawford (Stage Actor) - Age, Family, Bio | Famous Birthdays Hard work, but Hal [Prince, the director] was such a genius in how he gave you enough detail as an actor to find the character, but he didnt give so much that theres a specific form that each actor has to fit into. October 31st, 2018 This series would spawn the much better-known The Avengers. Logan Culwell-Block Hes different. "We wanted to do something new with it, but at the same time embrace its past.". He did, in fact, leave a note. 10 Surprising Facts about The Phantom of The Opera Casts - Biography The one that SPOILER ALERT! I cant imagine how it is for other long-running shows, but for us its a pretty easy process, current Phantom Ben Crawford says. 1. Ben Crawford's Final Performance as The Phantom: Broadway - YouTube [3] His mother's first husband, Arthur Dumbell "Smudge" Smith,[4] who was not his biological father, was killed, aged 22, on 6 September 1940 during the Battle of Britain, less than a year after they married. The final Broadway company features Laird Mackintosh as the Phantom (filling in for principal Ben Crawford), Emilie Kouatchou as Christine, John Riddle as Raoul, Nehal Joshi as Monsieur Andr, Craig Bennett as Monsieur Firmin, Raquel Suarez Groen as Carlotta Giudicelli, Maree Johnson as Madame Giry, Carlton Moe as Ubaldo Piangi, and Sara Esty as Meg Giry. The final ensemble features Giselle O. Alvarez, Polly Baird, Janinah Burnett, Xiaoxiao Cao, Kanisha Marie Feliciano, David Michael Garry, Chris Georgetti, Kelly Jeanne Grant, Satomi Hofmann, Ayaka Kamei, Ted Keegan, Kfir, Kelly Loughran, Scott Mikita, Greg Mills, Trista Moldovan, Justin Peck, Richard Poole, Lindsay Roberts, Janet Saia, Paul Adam Schaefer, Carly Blake Sebouhian, Jeremy Stolle, Carrington Vilmont, Jim Weitzer, Elizabeth Welch, and Erica Wong. Watching Christian [Borle] in Charlie and seeing how the guy thats called every day for 12 hours to tech is cool and professional and leading with a really positive energy. Categories. Notable West End credits include Passion, The Fix and Dirty Dancing as well as screen acting and writing. Now retired, David was last seen on stage at the 25th Anniversary performance of Phantom of the Opera. The birthday celebration also featured former cast members Michael Ball singing alongside current members Ben Forster (The Phantom), Celinde Schoenmaker (Christine) and Nadim Naaman (Raoul). Justin Crawford, Evan Crawford, and Erin Crawford are his younger siblings. Crawford has performed many concert tours in the US, Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand, beginning with The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber in 1992. It was in between performances of Let's Make an Opera and Noye's Fludde that he was advised to change his name, "to avoid confusion with a television newsman called Michael Ingram[s] who was registered with British Equity". In his lifetime, he appeared on screen in Absolute Beginners and Labyrinth and on stage, John also created the role of Pirelli in Hal Princes London production of Sweeney Todd. Assistant Stylist: Phylicia Pearl Mpasi. Nor did he think to name the chandelier. Julia Udine is the Christine alternate. The illustrious group (ranging from title stars to scene-stealing co-stars) was shot at the beautiful West Village restaurant The Spaniard. I had plans to take my daughter to see Phantom of the Opera on Broadway, at the Majestic Theatre. It was like coming home. "We've kept it from coming down a couple of times," he said. At the gala, Crawford was presented with a birthday cake (it was his 47th birthday). But the real star of "The Phantom of the Opera" has remained unchanged for 13,981 performances. The Phantom of the Opera: The Music of the Night Plays On (and On) "The opening of 'Phantom' was an AIDS benefit and I was on the committee, so I took my mother to the opening," said the humorist. One thing Ive counted on in my career is trying to reinvent somehowto put my own spin on it. If you see something that doesnt look right, contact us. Intrigued, Lloyd Webber asked Ian Adam who his student was. Former MT performer, for many years I ran TKTS in Leicester Square. Check back on Monday, April 17 for Playbills full coverage from the closing night of Phantom of the Opera. Read about our approach to external linking. Broadway's 'Phantom of the Opera' plots a cautious return Actors Ben Crawford and Meghan Picerno stand on the stage with fellow cast members after performing on the re-opening night of. Original Phantom Star Michael Crawford Pens Tribute to Show for Closing After tonight's performance, those wishing Phantom were somehow here again, fear not. Margaret Hall He has also done various Michael Crawford International Fan Association (MCIFA) exclusive concerts around the US. It went on to win three Academy Awards, was nominated for a further four (including Best Picture), and is now considered to be one of the greatest musical films ever. He looks like an opera ghost. He played the lead role of The Phantom in the Broadway production of The Phantom of the Opera for five years. 5. Crawford is best known for playing both the hapless Frank Spencer in the sitcom Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em and the title role in the musical The Phantom of the Opera. The Muny is presenting Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST starring Ashley Blanchet as Belle, Ben Crawford as the Beast, Claybourne Elder as Gaston, Ann Harada as Mrs. Potts, Kelvin Moon Loh as Lumber, Eric Jordan Young as Cogsworth, Holly Ann Butler as Babette, Tommy Bracco as Lefou, Harrison White as Maurice, Debby Lennon as Madame de la Grande Bouche and Michael Hobin as Chip, June 22 - 30, 2023. The role of Phantom is currently played by Ben Forster, who rose to fame in ITVs Superstar. Lester also cast him in the film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's musical A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and How I Won the War, which starred Roy Kinnear and John Lennon (during the filming of which he lived in London with Lennon and his first wife Cynthia, and Gabrielle Lewis). Howard is this ethereal specter on stage! I started at the beginning. You are now signed up for BroadwayBox discount alerts. The role of Monsieur Firmin is currently played by Sin Lloyd. The role of Phantom is currently played by Ben Forster, who rose to fame in ITV's Superstar. I call it my CrossFit. [9] He also participated in the recording of that opera (as Michael Ingram, singing the role of Gay Brook) made that same year, conducted by the composer. "We both loved musical theatre," he said. The original Broadway cast featured Michael Crawford, Sarah Brightman, Judy Kaye, and the late Steve Barton. | He performed all of his own stunts during the show's run, and never used a double. Since the late 1980s, Crawford has affiliated himself with various charities, particularly for the good of children. sabbath school superintendent opening remarks P.O. His acclaimed performance in the latter earned him both the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical and Tony Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical. NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 24: Ben Crawford as "The Phantom" makes a speech as "The Phantom of the Opera" celebrates 13,000 Performances on Broadway at The Majestic Theatre on April 24, 2019 in New York City. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Elf The Musical is back by huge demand! Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. His Broadway credits include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Mr. Salt . Please check back soon for updates. | That means he supervises, 6 performances a week, the automated apparatus that hoists the chandelier into place above the audience, and then causes it to plummet though not exactly in free fall. The couple exchanged their wows and married in the year 1965. 'Music of the Night' - Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman - YouTube On Broadway, saying goodbye to 'Phantom' - csmonitor.com After performing in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, and with offers of work greatly reduced and much of his salary from Hello, Dolly! And this is why Ben Crawfords approach utterly fascinated me. [25], On 23 October 2010, Crawford attended the celebratory 10,000th performance of The Phantom of the Opera in London alongside composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. Natan Zamansky AtThe Phantom of the Opera,the chandelier has fallen one final time, the monkey music boxhas played its final tune. Frankly, it would be difficult to accept him as such a romantic counterpart in our times. His maternal grandmother was born in County Londonderry, Ireland, and lived to be 99 years old. ben crawford phantom related to michael crawford Thats par for the course for what Crawford calls this living, breathing entity, in which new cast members bring their own singular spin to the material, which most audiences love. The film was a huge success in the UK. Fighter jets are roaring over my home in Sudan, Russia launches missile attacks on Ukraine, MasterChef Australia host Jock Zonfrillo dies. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. It will air on CBS and . What a treat to make that my first. The intellectual aspect of the conversations was something that was really original to me and something I really enjoyed. Michael Crawford surprises audience at Phantom of the Opera The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Making Ruthie II drop on cue, for 13,000-plus performances, is no mean trick. He replacedBrian d'Arcy Jamesas Shrek during Shrek the Musical's original 2008 Broadway run. Whenever you play a villain you have to add an aspect of humanity to it, and, if you do it correctly, theres a commentary about peoplehow anyone can go there under the right circumstances. I didnt grow up a musical theatre kid. Ben Crawford Biography | Broadway Buzz | Broadway.com 17, ahead of Queen Victoria, in the, BroadwayWorld UK Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for, Label: Union Square Music/FanFare (FANFARE091), Label: Union Square Music/FanFare (FANFARE155), This page was last edited on 25 April 2023, at 19:12. Hugh Panaro was the Phantom, and it was awesome. Every Phantom walks down these stairs backwards, he says, and I said, I will fall on my ass. The 2023 Tony Awards nominations will be announced on May 2, 2023. Crawford abandoned the show during its first series and returned to theatre work. Crawford said one of the perils of playing the Phantom was having to avoid the holes where candles came up through the stage floor. Cameron Mackintosh and Lloyd Webber's The Really Useful Group serve as producers. In the New York production alone, an estimated 6,500 people (including 450 actors) were employed during its more than three-decade run. Thank you for carrying on the legacy of this beautiful show for thirty-five years. But it was how Phantom has been reimagined, at least by the performer I saw in March of last year. Michael Crawford - Wikipedia When is Ben Crawfords birthday? Majority of Bens money comes from being a stage actor. Im a linebacker in a suit!, For the most part, however, the response is positive. 13,981 at the Majestic Theatre, and it ended with a reprise of "The Music of the Night" performed by the current cast, previous actors in the show . . In 1984, at the final preview of Starlight Express, Crawford happened to run into the show's creator, Andrew Lloyd Webber. It was well-received, becoming a favourite of Margaret Thatcher as well as the Queen Mother. The OG Phantom was not in attendance on the closing night of the hit Broadway show, but he left a note. May 1, 2023, By Andrew Lloyd Webbers Phantom of the Opera will return to the Great White Way this Fall, like so many other shows that have been gutted by COVID-19. [2] He has received international critical acclaim and won numerous awards during his acting career, which has included many film and television performances as well as stage work on both London's West End and on Broadway. People come and say the show is in really good shape and it doesnt feel like its 31 years old, Crawford says. What it actually does is drop, and then swoop toward the stage in a parabola that is as much a testament to theater ingenuity as it is a defiance of physics. The special aired on 18 March 2016. . This article about an American theatre actor born in the 1980s is a stub. In 1967, he made his Broadway dbut in Peter Shaffer's Black Comedy with Lynn Redgrave (making her dbut as well) in which he demonstrated his aptitude and daring for extreme physical comedy, such as walking into walls and falling down staircases. John Aron The final curtain came down Sunday on New York's production of "The Phantom of the Opera," ending Broadway's longest-running show with thunderous standing ovations, champagne toasts and gold and silver confetti. This month's horoscope also honors Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Ruling Planet: Ben Crawford has a ruling planet of Mercury and has a ruling planet of Mercury and by astrological associations Wednesday is ruled by Mercury. Crawfords approach gave the entire production a fresh perspective and made me fall in love with the musical all over again. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? How did you go about building your Phantom? He earned his Broadway debut in 2006 in Les Miserables' return engagement, where he understudied the lead role of Jean Valjean. After the initial production of the show, he worked extensively with Torvill and Dean, and can be seen rinkside with them as they received their "perfect six" marks in the 1983 world championships for their 'Barnum' routine.[17][18]. Soon after, Crawford was called in for an audition and was hired virtually on the spot. What Ben Crawford Does That No Other Broadway Phantom Has One takes the chandelier about midpoint in the auditorium; another lifts it to the place where it will hang. Although reunited with Sarah Brightman, he did no real singing as he had just finished performing in a matinee of The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium. Hes a supervillain. He is best known for being a Stage Actor. People born under this sign are fiercely loyal and can always keep a secret. In 2001, Crawford sang Baby Mine from Disney's Dumbo on its 60th anniversary VHS and DVD. Speaking onstage at Her Majesty's Theatre on Monday night, Lord Lloyd-Webber recalled how Crawford had been recommended to him by the singing teacher of his then-wife Sarah Brightman. Sierra Boggess, who will play Christine in the first French version of Phantom, performed the song Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again accompanied by Lord Lloyd-Webber on piano. His Broadway credits include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Mr. Salt), the titular character in Shrek The Musical, Big Fish (Edward Bloom u/s, Don Price), Les Misrables (Javert/Valjean u/s) and On the Twentieth Century (Bruce Granit u/s). Photos: PHANTOM Celebrates 10,000th West End Show with Michael Crawford ", "It's named after (director) Hal Prince's longtime assistant, Ruth Mitchell," Lampel said. Discover what happened on this day. After creating the role of Firmin in Phantom, he went on to enjoy national celebrity as Coronation Streets Fred Elliott. This series is about replacement performances that left us stunned. Finish this thought for me: My Phantom is ____. Watch THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Star Ben Crawford Sing "The Music of the Night" Broadwaycom 534K subscribers Subscribe 7.2K 214K views 3 years ago Get Tickets to THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA:. Michael Crawford, the original star of Phantom of the Opera, made a surprise appearance on stage as the musical celebrated its 30th anniversary. May 1, 2023, By We all have masks in a sense so the mask allows him to create this persona. Chinese Zodiac: Ben Crawford was born in the Year of the Rabbit. Winners of the Dorothy Loudon Award and the special honorees have also been announced. Sadly, Mary passed away in 1998 after a battle with Ovarian cancer. His maternal grandmother was born in County Londonderry, Ireland, and lived to be 99 years old. VideoThe secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure, LGBT troops take love for Eurovision to front line, Why an Indian comedian is challenging fake news rules. Mary Millar (real name Irene Mary Wetton) became best-known for playing Rose (from series 2 onwards) in TVs Keeping Up Appearances. Ben Crawford (singer) - Wikipedia Ben Crawfords intense, slightly menacing take on the Svengali music teacher was utterly captivating. By There was a brief hiatus until popular demand saw it revived for a final series in 1978. The film performed poorly at the box office but years later gained a cult following among Disney fans. Sarah Brightman is currently completing a world tour which will end in Mexico. Michael-Leon Wooley. The shows original Phantom, Michael Crawford, was notably absent. Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em soon became one of the BBC's most popular television series. Hes a mix of The Beast and The Joker. The Atlantic Theater label released the companion album to EFX. 'Music of the Night' - Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman | The Phantom of the Opera The Phantom of the Opera 344K subscribers Subscribe 7.2K 1.3M views 13 years ago Michael Crawford. ben crawford phantom related to michael crawfordoffice furniture liquidators chicago June 14th, 2022 mazda 3 2021 bose sound system The couple moved to Herne Hill[7] in London, where Crawford attended Oakfield Preparatory School, Dulwich, where he was known as Michael Ingram. Yoanna Nikolova, Is climate change killing Australian wine? He originally enrolled at the University of Arizona in their pre-med program, wanting to be a pediatrician. It was this character that attracted film director Richard Lester to hire him for the role of Colin in The Knack and How to Get It in 1965. Have you seen the show hundreds of times? "I was always worried the candles were going up my trouser leg," he said. I was into athletics, and then through college I discovered my love and passion for musical theatre. This page is not available in other languages. By Rosemary Rosie Asheis currently touring in Sister Act, playing the role of Sister Mary Lazarus. The role of Meg Giry is currently played by Daisy Alice Hulbert. The chandelier was the talk of the show, long before Andrew Lloyd Webber's blockbuster hit arrived on Broadway in January 1988, after taking the West End by storm. It's an spectacular, memorable bit of theater magic though there have been a couple of nights, through the years, where they've had to forego it. We did that with a number of items on the show, and it was all a fundraiser driven through Equity fights AIDS.". May 1, 2023, By Tthey are not related, can you believe it?) I know the West End like the back of my hand - now writing and keeping a very close eye on West End Theatre! "It's hanging in the theater, stored all the way upstage," Lampel said. He was born to Tim and Terri Crawford on December 21, 1987. Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera opened at Her Majesty's on 9 October 1986 with Crawford starring opposite Sarah Brightman as Christine. He appeared as the cabin boy John Drake in the television series Sir Francis Drake, a 26-part adventure series made by ITC starring Terence Morgan and Jean Kent. But there is one major difference between Crawfords masked menace and those that came before. It was inspired by a real incident. At age nineteen, he was approached to play an American, Junior Sailen, in the film The War Lover (1962), which starred Steve McQueen. I felt such awe watching Michael doing Stephen Sondheimin a role Id obviously love to do. Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. Early into the run, Crawford suffered an accident during a performance (which involved him sliding from a wire hanger from the back of the theatre all the way to the stage and then jumping down 12 feet (3.7m) to the stage itself) and left the show to recover from his injury, which resulted in an early hip replacement operation.[21]. Sarah Brightman, Sierra Boggess, Meghan Picerno, and current leads Laird Mackintosh, Emilie Kouatchou, John Riddletheyall walked the pre-show red carpet. Once you got the gig, where did you start? "It's been hanging there for 35 years. She and her husband had arrived early for her lesson, and it was while waiting that they chanced to hear Crawford practising the aria Care Selve, from the opera Atalanta by Handel. In addition to Riddle, the New York production said goodbye with Emilie Kouatchou as Christine and Laird Mackintosh stepping in for Ben Crawford as the Phantom. The Broadway staging of the London-originated show won seven 1988 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. He has no relation to the originator of the role, Michael Crawford, but they both were Phantoms in 1988 and 2018, and they have the same last names. He originated the role of Don Price in the original 2013 Broadway production of Big Fish. At Phantom, its very much business onstage and a lot of fun offstage, but know where that line is and dont push it too much. [30], In February 2016 the BBC announced that Crawford and Dotrice would be reprising their roles in a one-off special of Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em, to be broadcast as part of the Sport Relief charity fundraiser event. "Then it goes to a complete blackout. Andrew Gans Blocking belongson the stage,not on websites. His mother's first husband, Arthur Dumbell Smith . Hair and makeup by Austin Thornton and Gianna Yanelli. What's announced and what's in previews in the West End. 'The Phantom of the Opera' closes on Broadway after 35 years You get a lot of leeway.. Ben Crawford - Age, Bio, Personal Life, Family & Stats - CelebsAges [2] After a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Crawford returned to the role in October 2021 and was set to be the final Phantom when the show closed after a record 35 year run on Broadway.
