Chris Mann discusses ‘Phantom of the Opera’ role, ‘The Voice’ boosting career

Chris Mann will star as the title character in The Phantom of the Opera, opening at the Straz Center in Tampa. He detailed the casting, preparations, his take for fans while speaking with the press ahead of opening night.

“It was intense and yet, someting I enjoyed,” Mann says of the whirlwind and fast paced experience of gettting the role and heading to “Phantom boot camp.”

Chris Mann, “Phantom of the Opera” at the Straz Center photo/Brandon Jones

“I has not been as long as it feels,” he joked before explaining how proud he was to be a part of this spectacular production.

“This is based on real feelings,” Chris said, contrasting this Phantom to portrayals as a “magician or hypnotist” noting that his “torment and rejection plays to the audience and we can all relate to the longing to be accepted.”

Mann enjoyed a boost after a successful stint on The Voice and toured for two years. He says it’s “nice to not be alone on stage” and praised his co-stars, who are “wonderful and talented.”

Working with Cameron Mackintosh was both “terrifying and wonderful” as well as crediting Norm Lewis and Hugh Panero (also Phantoms) for advice and support.

“From The Voice, I have fond memories,” Mann explains, speaking of lighting the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center and performing before the President and First Lady. “I have lots of great people I’ve met in the recording industry and I talk to them all the time. Producer Walter Afanasieff is one I talk to….I’m just so excited. I always wanted to get back on stage.”

Tickets are now on sale for THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, which will play the Straz Center for the Performing Arts’ Morsani Hall, Dec. 17, 2014-Jan. 4, 2015, as part of the Bank of America Best of Broadway Tampa Bay series.

Get tickets HERE!

Mann will be joined by Katie Travis as ‘Christine Daaé,’ Storm Lineberger as ‘Raoul,’ Jacquelynne Fontaine as ‘Carlotta Giudicelli,’ David Benoit as ‘Monsieur Firmin,’ Edward Staudenmayer as ‘Monsieur André,’ Anne Kanengeiser as ‘Madame Giry,’ Frank Viveros as ‘Ubaldo Piangi’ and Morgan Cowling as ‘Meg Giry.’

For more information on the production and a video sneak peek, please visit www.ThePhantomOfTheOpera.com/USTour