The Phantom has returned.
After a successful summer tour last year, Welsh tenor Peter Karrie is back in the Okanagan to perform the most beloved songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera and other musical theatre treasures.
Joining him once again is Vernon coloratura soprano Melina Moore, who teamed up with Karrie last year to play Christine to the tenor’s Phantom. Together they sang to sold-out audiences and standing ovations.
Those who missed them perform at Vernon’s Sparkling Hill Resort last week now have another chance to catch their show in Vernon.
Headbones Gallery is hosting the duo, who will perform the best from Broadway, including Phantom, at the art gallery on Old Kamloops Road Thursday at 8 p.m.
“Peter and I have been sharing the stage for several years now, and I never tire of singing with him,” said Moore. “This tour will focus on much of the music of Phantom and Les Mis, and I feel I’m always elevated to higher levels as a singer when I perform with Peter. His energy on stage is remarkable, his commitment to his characters and the sheer power and beauty of his world-renowned voice all humble me and exhilarate me.”
Karrie, who has starred on Broadway and in London’s West End, calls his return to B.C. a “homecoming.” He was made an honorary Canadian citizen upon completing his Phantom role in Vancouver for close to a decade.
Besides Phantom, Karrie’s other acclaimed and award-winning roles have included the original Che in Evita for the first national tour of Britain, Jean Valjean in Les Misérables for more than a decade at London’s Palace Theatre, Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Palace Theatre, John Blackthorn in James Clavell’s Shogun on Broadway, Fagin in the acclaimed Cameron Macintosh production of Oliver!, Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha, Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof and Joby “Peg Leg” Churchill in the box office smash The Contender.
Also the original cast members of Chess, Karrie played the role of Freddy Trumper, and was host of his own BBC television chat show, Peter Karrie…. Unmasked.
Moore has taken on as many operatic roles with her upbringing in New York City and education at Juilliard. Her professional career has grown since she moved to the Okanagan more than a decade ago, with solo tours in Canada and the U.S. and appearances with symphonies around B.C.
She also performs regularly at Vernon’s Sparkling Hill Resort and with The Dharma Dolls, a trio featuring fellow divas Judy Rose and Tanya Lipscomb.
Dates for The Phantom of the Opera Returns tour include Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre, May 18; Headbones Gallery, Vernon, May 23; Okanagan Jewish Community Centre, Kelowna, May 27; Haney Heritage Village, Salmon Arm, May 30; and Lorenzo’s Café, Ashton Creek, May 31.
Tickets for most of the performances are available at www.virtualvernon.com.
Limited tickets for the Headbones show are $25 from the Bean Scene or call Headbones Gallery 250-542-8987 to reserve.
