

The French Quarter, where New Orleans is not only known as America's most haunted city, but the music, French Creole culture, the voodoo mystique, masquerade pageantry of Mardi Gras, just lent itself to a natural adaptation of the Paris setting, and a story that has revenge, unrequited love and mystery. "I have long wanted to explore The Phantom of the Opera in a contemporary and new way and in a French Quarter setting," Fusco said in a statement obtained by THR.Īdditionally, Fusco told Deadline, "This is set it in the sultry nightlife scene of modern day New Orleans, the world of jazz, R&B, neo-Soul and funk. A flop movie version, starring Gerard Butler and Emmy Rossum, was released in 2004. RELATED VIDEO: John Legend Announces 24-Date Las Vegas Residency for 2022: 'Beautiful Show, Magical Night' Ben Crawford currently plays the Phantom and Emilie Kouatchou is Christine Daaé. A film adaptation of the musical was released in 2004 starring Gerard Butler as the Phantom and Emmy Rossum as the understudy, Christine. The story was later adapted into the 1986 musical of the same name by Andrew Lloyd Webber and is the longest-running show in Broadway history.

With Jonathan Allen, Jeffrey Archer, Rosemary Ashe, Sally Ashfield. Never miss a story - sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Phantom of the Opera: Behind the Mask: Directed by Janice Sutherland. He was a genius and obviously knew what he was doing.

Terry O'Neill/Iconic Images/Getty Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera The phantom was a brilliant manipulator, magician and hypnotist and probably planned everything about this down to the last detail.
