Jeremy Hays to Join Mary Michael Patterson & Hugh Panaro in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway

The Paris Opera House is getting a new Vicomte! Les Miserables alum Jeremy Hays will step into the role of Raoul in the long-running musical The Phantom of the Opera beginning August 26. Hays succeeds current Raoul Kyle Barisich, who will depart the production on August 24. The record-breaking hit musical is currently playing at the Majestic Theatre on Broadway.

The new star will join Mary Michael Patterson as Christine and Hugh Panaro as the Phantom, who returns from a summer hiatus on August 26. Patterson, who was previously the alternate Christine, will now be the principal Christine, while Marni Raab, who was previously the principal Christine, will now perform two shows per week as the alternate. As previously announced, Laird Mackintosh will also join the cast as Monsieur Andre on August 26.

Hays made his Broadway debut in Les Miserables, and played Enjolras in both the Paper Mill production and national tour. His additional credits include the U.S. tour of Cats, as well as regional productions of Hair, Camelot, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Oklahoma! and West Side Story.

Featuring music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe, and a book by Stilgoe and Webber, The Phantom of the Opera stars Tim Jerome as Monsieur Firmin, Michele McConnell as Carlotta Guidicelli, Ellen Harvey as Madame Giry, Christian Sebek as Ubaldo Piangi and Kara Klein as Meg Giry.