Brightside Theatre’s first production of 2026 will be a concert performance of the musical PHANTOM, with a score by Maury Yeston (composer of the musicals TITANIC and NINE) and a book adapted by Arthur Kopit (author of the plays WINGS and INDIANS). The musical is based on the Gaston Laroux novel THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and has enjoyed over 1000 productions around the world.
A hauntingly beautiful take on the tale of the Phantom of the Opera, this musical offers a deeply emotional and romantic reimagining of the novel, offering a deeper exploration of the phantom’s past, set to Yeston’s mesmerizing score. PHANTOM IN CONCERT will be directed by BrightSide Artistic Director Jeffrey Cass and Phil Videckis will be Music Director. It will be performed by a cast of 16 and a 9-piece orchestra, from January 9 to 18 in the Madden Theatre at North Central College in Naperville.
Leading the 16-member cast as Erik the Phantom, will be Caden Cole of Frankfort. Christine, the singer the Phantom coaches and loves, will be played by Emily Lewis of Chicago. Count Philippe de Chandon, who helps Christine get a job with the Paris Opera, will be performed by Joe Moerschel of Vernon Hills. Julie Ann Kornak of Naperville will be Carlotta, the company Diva who is threatened by Christine’s talent. Gerard Carrière, the former head of the Opera who is secretly Erik’s father, will be played by Michael Rivera of Westmont, while Carrière’s successor as Opera head, Cholet, will be performed by Stan Austin of Winfield. Austin will also understudy Carrière. Cast in other principal roles are Michael John Lynch of Chicago as Jean-Claude, Myles Mattsey of New Lenox as Inspector LeDoux, and Dana Vetter of Lombard as Belladova. Vetter will also understudy Christine.
The ensemble, some of whom will additionally understudy principal roles, includes Matthew Andresen of Greenfield, Wisconsin; Amy Arbizzani of Naperville (also u/s Carlotta), Michelle Bolliger of Roselle (also u/s Belladova), Jack Keilman of Chicago (also u/s LeDoux and Philippe), Juan Sedonio of Port Barrington, Shaina Summerville of Rolling Meadows and SarahAnn Sutter of Northbrook.
PHANTOM IN CONCERT will be performed in North Central College’s Madden Theatre at 171 Chicago Avenue in Naperville. Tickets are $37.00 for adults and $32.00 for students and seniors. Tickets are on sale at www.BrightSidetheatre.com or by phone at 630-447-TIXS (8497).
