The Phantom of the Opera

Other theatrical spaces, even on Broadway in New York, like there are a lot, like all these different sort of more immersive theatrical experiences are popping up.

I went to the Phantom of the Opera immersive show called Masquerade this year.

Wow.

And as someone who had been to Sleep No More a number of times and had done other sort of shows that were like doing the same thing, but on a smaller scale, I should say, Masquerade kind of just feels like the culmination of that path where you have, you know, you're applying that formula to a narrative piece whether or not you're familiar with it is not the point.

Like I knew the music.

I had never seen Phantom of the Opera musical on Broadway or anywhere else.

And it was the coolest thing I had done in a professional theater or had seen in a professional theater in a super long time.

And I know that other shows are maybe not doing quite the same thing, but I think things are pushing in that direction.

So for those who don't know, this is Joseph Millson.

He is actor of TV, film, stage and game, director, producer, writer, and currently a is Monsieur André in Phantom of the Opera for the 40th anniversary of the show.

And you were actually previously in the prequel for Phantom of the Opera.

Known for roles in Casino Royale, Angel Has Fallen, The Last Kingdom, Holby City, EastEnders, and I believe over 100 other roles.

Award-winning, 11 awards in total, including Best Screenplay for Signs of Life and Best Debut Filmmaker for Care.

I hadn't really had singing lessons and I can't read music, but I have now and then do musicals.

I get sometimes they want an actor who can sing and I just about get in that category.

So what I'm doing right now, every night, Phantom of the Opera terrifies me every night.

You might be wondering why I specified longest running American musical.

And that's because the Phantom of the Opera still holds the record for the longest show to run on Broadway, which was 35 years.

But that show transferred from the West End in London, so Chicago has its own record.

Ever since The Phantom closed in 2023, Chicago has been inching its way closer to the title of longest running show on Broadway ever.

This series of episodes features interviews with members of the Chicago family who have had exceptionally long associations with the show.

Today I'll be speaking to Bianca Marroquin, who has a 25-year history with Chicago.

Bianca was born in Monterrey, Mexico, and she began her professional career in Mexico City, appearing in The Beauty and the Beast, Rent, The Phantom of the Opera, and Chicago.

Her performance as Roxie Hart in the Mexican production of Chicago earned five Mexican Critics Association Awards, including Best Actress.

Yeah, scary jokes.

Like, what's happening? But also, the masked phantom, like, when I got this, it reminds me of, have you seen the opera? The Phantom of the Opera?

No.

It just reminds me of that.

music cue in a pitch recently that I'm like, there's no way you're gonna understand the vibe of what I went through without, yes

yeah we'll see how it goes and then the Phantom of the Opera starts playing

my husband almost every morning this week has been singing Phantom of the Opera and I just reference it yes because I've

also been recently singing in the shower Phantom of the Opera is there a did we all see the same what is that a disgusting thought

Can we just talk about how that is just the most dorkiest concept?

Yeah.

The Phantom of the Opera.

Listen, I was into it.

Yeah.

I, it's definitely not Phantom of the Opera.

That's always when people, you know, that's a musical and I love when somebody will go, what's your favorite? Oh, it's Phantom of the Opera.

I'm like, oh yeah, that's great.

You know, so anyway, just so we all know, let's take a lesson.