The Phantom of the Opera
Join the adventure and experience the rich array of artistry behind the great performances on stage at the Kennedy Center.
Discover the mystery and the intrigue behind the longest running show on Broadway! Produced by Explore the Arts™ and moderated by Scot Reese, faculty member of the University of Maryland Theater Department.
The Phantom of the Opera
John Cudia
The Phantom
For more than ten years, John has proudly been associated with the two longest running shows in Broadway history, Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera. He made his Broadway debut in Les Miz, going on to perform nearly every role in the show including the lead character Jean Valjean. John began with Phantom as the Raoul understudy then later took over the role. John played Raoul with both the touring and Broadway companies while understudying and performing the role of the Phantom. In fact, John holds the distinct honor of being the first and only actor to have performed both roles, Jean Valjean and the Phantom, on Broadway. Regional credits include Tony in West Side Story, Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar, Freddy in My Fair Lady, Lt. Cable in South Pacific and tenor Tony Candolino in Master Class at such theatres as The Paper Mill Playhouse, St. Louis Rep., North Shore Music Theatre and Portland Stage. Most recently, John appeared in The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber at the Bushnell Theatre in Harford. Also in concert, John was a featured tenor soloist with the Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea in his home state of New Jersey. John is happily married to Broadway actress Kathy Voytko.
Marni Raab
Christine Daaé
A graduate of Oberlin Conservatory, Marni has performed in both the United States and abroad. Regionally in the United States, she has been praised for her portrayals of Eliza in My Fair Lady, Julie in Carousel and Luisa in The Fantasticks. New York: Jerome Kern’s Have a Heart (Peggy). Readings/workshops: Edgar, The Lily of St. Pierre, Sabina, The Count of Monte Cristo, Atlantis the Musical!!! Europe: Hamburg Company of Cats (Jellylorum) as well as concert appearances at the Mozarteum in Salzburg. Marni’s extensive operetta experience encompasses works by Romberg, Lehar, Strauss, and Gilbert and Sullivan. Opera credits include performances with the Metropolitan Opera Guild, Boheme Opera and Connecticut Grand Opera. She is delighted to return to the National Tour as Christine Daaé after recreating the role in Shanghai, Seoul, Taipei and Hong Kong for the Phantom World Tour. A native of New Jersey, Marni now calls New York City home.
Greg Mills
Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny
Broadway: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Woman in White (original B’way cast). National Tours: Big (Josh Baskin). Other New York and regional: Evita (Che) at West Virginia Public, Jesus Christ Superstar (Jesus), Miss Saigon (Chris) and Aida (Radames) at Seaside Music Theater, After the Ball (Mr. Hopper) at The Irish Repertory Theatre and 2005 cast recording, Where’s Charley? (Jack Chesney) at Goodspeed Opera House, Sweeney Todd (Anthony), Chess (Freddie), Camelot at The Paper Mill Playhouse and originated the roles of Danceny in the world premiere of The Game at Barrington Stage and Roman in Warsaw in NYC. A proud graduate of Florida State University.
Scot Reese
Moderator
Scot is an associate professor at the University of Maryland, College Park whose focus is Black theatre, directing, and musical theatre. His theater credits include productions from Los Angeles to New York. Television credits include daytime dramas, situation comedies, variety specials, commercials, and an Emmy Award for individual achievement in performance. Most recent productions include Electra at the University of Maryland, Barefoot in the Park at Los Angeles Theatreworks, Crumbs From the Table of Joy at the Round House Theatre, A Raisin in the Sun at Olney Theatre Center, and Bells Are Ringing and Purlie at the Kennedy Center.
