Ramin Karimloo to star in new ”Phantom of the Opera” production in Italy

Ramin Karimloo (Funny Girl, Les Misérables) will return to the role of the Phantom of the Opera in a new production of the iconic show.

The fresh vision for Andrew Lloyd Webber, Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe’s musical is produced by Broadway Italia, and will be directed by Federico Bellone (Dirty Dancing, Phoenix Theatre/Dominion Theatre). It will be staged in English.

Karimloo said: “I couldn’t be more thrilled to be part of this new production of The Phantom of the Opera with Broadway Italia. I’m excited to work with director, Federico Bellone. Together we have been long-standing fans of the original production and both agree it’s a masterpiece. We want to celebrate that and have let that inspire us into creating a brand-new production of the glorious score, story and design”.

Bellone added: “At last, thanks to the definitive recovery of the musical theatre industry in Italy we have the opportunity to stage a show that is a milestone in the history of the musical and that, for the first time, plays in Italy, boasting the presence of an actor considered an excellence worldwide, with the hope of following up all the other productions we have planned.”

The new production is set to run at Teatro Stabile del Friuli Venezia Giulia in Trieste from 4 July 2023, with tickets on general sale from 9 March. It marks the first time that Phantom has been seen in Italy. The staging will feature new, innovative special effects, including a flaming chandelier with the Phantom on it.

Karimloo is currently on Broadway, appearing opposite Lea Michelle in the Broadway revival of Funny Girl.

The Phantom of the Opera continues to run at its usual haunt, Her Majesty’s Theatre, in the West End, with a new cast set to be led by Jon Robyns arriving this spring.

The musical premiered in the West End in 1986 and has since become one of the most popular and longest-running shows in theatre history.

It follows an elusive and murderous musical genius known as the Phantom who haunts the Paris Opera House, living in its underground labyrinth and terrorizing the cast and crew. He becomes infatuated with a young soprano named Christine and coaches her to become a star, all while hiding his identity and intentions from her.

The musical features memorable songs such as “The Music of the Night,” “All I Ask of You,” and “Masquerade,” and has won numerous awards, including seven Tony Awards.