Phantom of the Opera marks 25 years

Canadian actor Ramin Karimloo will play the lead in The Phantom of the Opera at a special staging of the hit Andrew Lloyd Webber musical in London to mark its 25th anniversary.

Karimloo will be reprisingthe role,whichhe's played in London, as well as in the Phantom sequelLove Never Diesin the West End.

An Iranian-born Canadian who grew up in Peterborough, Ont., and Toronto, Karimloo has also appeared in the West End production of Les Misrables and starred as Enjolras in Les Misrables - A Special Concert at Windsor Castle, in a performance before the Queen. He is currently recording his first solo album.

U.S. actor Sierra Boggess will portray ingnue singer Christine opposite him in October's anniversary show.

Boggess, who also played Christine opposite Karimloo in Love Never Dies, is currently starring opposite Tyne Daly in the Broadway revival of Terrence McNally's Master Class.

The three special performances of Phantom will be held at London's Royal Albert Hall on Oct. 1-2, in celebration ofthe 25th anniversary.

Record performance runs

The Phantom of the Opera originally opened at Her Majesty's Theatre inLondon's West End on Oct. 9, 1986 and has been running there ever since.The British productioncelebrated its 10,000th performance in October 2010.

The New Yorkincarnation holds the record of being Broadway's longest-running show.

One of the most successful musicals of all time, Phantom has played in 27 countries, including current productions on stage in Budapest, Las Vegas and Kyoto.

"The success of the show has become the stuff of theatrical legend, so Andrew and I felt we needed to create a really special performance to celebrate the 25th anniversary," producer Cameron Mackintosh said in a statement.

A cast and orchestra of more than 200 people will be included the show, which will be directed by Laurence Connor, with a set by Matt Kinley, inspired by Maria Bjrnson's original production design.