The Phantom of the Opera Ballerina Paloma Garcia-Lee on Her Whirlwind Broadway Debut

This week, Broadway.com’s Gotta Dance! series showcases Paloma Garcia-Lee, a graceful ballerina in The Phantom of the Opera ensemble. Garcia-Lee, who made her Broadway debut in the Andrew Lloyd Webber megahit at age 17, can currently be seen dancing in the Ballet Chorus of the Opéra Populaire. As a young dancer in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Garcia-Lee was homeschooled by her ballet-savvy parents before dancing her way into in the Broadway spotlight. Click below to see Garcia-Lee “play dress up” in a photo shoot with Matthew Murphy, then watch her bring the Paris Opera House to life in The Phantom of the Opera.

Watch the video below to find out how Garcia-Lee went from being a Broadway hopeful to dancing on the Great White Way in only one day!

About the Photographer
Matthew Murphy is a New York City-based photographer specializing in theater and dance. His work appears regularly in the Arts and Leisure section of The New York Times and additional credits include Bravo TV, New York Magazine, Vanity Fair, The Village Voice, Dance Magazine, The Financial Times and The New York Post. He is a former member of American Ballet Theatre. For more information visit MurphyMade.com.

Additional Credits: Hair & makeup by Ariel Vega; styling by David Withrow; production assistant: Kevin Thomas Garcia; Photo Post Production: Matthew Murphy & Jennifer Dunne