Who are the BIG names in PotO?

Phantom's been around for almost 25 years now, and aside from the original cast, who do you think have been the standout "names" that came out of the show? Not necessarily your favorites, but what actors and actresses are deeply associated with the show due to their involvement in it?

R.

I don't know that anyone else has made their name primarily because of Phantom, at least not huge household names on the level of Crawford and Brightman. Certainly lots of performers are known mostly for being in Phantom, and there are big performers like Colm and McGillin who already had a lot of success but are also associated with playing the title role.

Honestly, other than Crawford & Brightman, I don't think there has been anyone who became a "name" due to starring in Phantom, (in the theatre world, OK, but certainly not to the general public) it's just not that kind of show. Plus the fact that it's been running continuously for so long means that it's never had the chance to be nominated for any revival awards, or had a second cast recording.

Oh, I don't necessarily mean big outside of Phantom, more like - within the Phandom, who are the heavy-hitters? Such as the focal points of massive fan camps that caused the epic Actor Wars of years ago. Karrie comes to mind as one of the big names. McGillin definitely and I suppose to some extent Wilkinson (although I imagine he found wider acclaim in the Les Miz community than he did with us, but I could be wrong).

Anyone else? Are there any well-known and/or loved Christines? Raouls? Megs? Carlottas? etc.

R.

If I've understood you correctly, you want those "everyone" is familiar with, and whose portrayal is generally considered very good. It would be performers lots of people have seen because they did the role for a long time or in many productions, or because they are featured in a cast album. Such a list is of course up to interpretation (which is why you ask...), but from the top of my head, I would say...

PHANTOMS: Michael Crawford, Anthony Warlow, Peter Karrie, John Owen Jones, Ethan Freeman, Mikael Samuelson, Howard McGillin, Colm Wilkinson, Gary Mauer, Thomas Schulze, Henk Poort, Scott Davies, Brad Little, Hugh Panaro, Dave Willetts, Saulo Vasconcelos, Ian Jon Bourg

CHRISTINES: Sarah Brightman, Claire Moore, Rebecca Caine, Jill Washington, Elisabeth Berg, Sandra Joseph, Dale Kristien, Ana Marina, Colby Thomas, Joke de Kruijf, Sierra Boggess, Kimilee Bryant, Rachel Barrell, Patti Cohenour, Lisa Vroman, Celia Graham

RAOULS: Steve Barton, John Cudia, Ramin Karimloo, Michael Shawn Lewis, Björn Olsson, Tim Martin Gleason, John Bowles

For my personal preferences I would also list Flemming Enevold + Earl Carpenter as the Phantom, Gina Beck as Christine, and Ramin Karimloo + Tomas Ambt Kofod as Raoul. And I'm sure I forgot tons of people in the lists above...

I'd have to say Maria Björnson. Even though she is no longer with us and designed many major pieces of work, I instantly think of 'Phantom' when I hear her name and instantly visualise the sets and costumes.

I'd also throw Alexander Goebel into that mix...

In America, Jennifer Hope Wills really made an impression as Christine this past decade. I wouldn't necessarily put her on the international scale, but she really helped shift the role in this country back to its youthful beginnings. When she was cast as the NY alternate in 2006, she was completely new to the show, and was very different from ever other actress to have played the role for YEARS. (She was the first Christine I'd seen in some time who approached the role as an actor-singer, rather than a singer-actor).

George Lee Andrews, D.C. Anderson, and Kim Stengel all come to mind as long-running fan favorites. Surely they would all be considered big names in the Phantom world, yes?

Ummmm, someone has obviously hijacked Mandy's account up there because there's no way that's actually her.....