Poll Results: Fans Want Phantom's Sarah Brightman to Return as Christine

With Brian d'Arcy James back in Next to Normal, we wondered what other star you’d like to see return to the role they originated in a currently running Broadway show. Twenty-two years after The Phantom of the Opera opened at the Majestic Theatre, it looks like Sarah Brightman still reigns as Phantom fans’ “Angel of Music.” Brightman, the original Christine Daae in both the Broadway and London productions, pulled in a whopping 36% of all votes cast in our Weekend Poll.

The witches of Wicked proved to be popular, as always, landing in second and third place. While Idina Menzel took home a Tony for her portrayal of Elphaba, current Promises, Promises star Kristin Chenoweth’s Glinda flew ahead to runner-up status in our poll with 26% of the vote, twice the 13% Menzel earned.

Nowadays, fourth place finisher Bebe Neuwirth is playing ghoulish matriarch Morticia in The Addams Family, but 7% of voters hope she’ll take a trip back to Chicago as merry murderess Velma Kelly. Rounding out the top five is Brightman’s Phantom co-star, Michael Crawford. Six percent of voters would like to see Crawford don the Phantom’s mask again. Thanks for voting!