The first time I saw Andrew Lloyd Webber’s beloved musical production of Phantom of the Opera, Michael Crawford was starring as the Phantom in LA.  Having been a long time fan of the story, and having memorized every song from the soundtrack CD, I was ready to jump out of my skin as I sat in the audience waiting for the Phantom’s entrance!  The moment he appeared in Christine’s dressing room mirror, I was captivated by Michael’s seductive and angelic performance.

Watching his portrayal of the Phantom is among my most cherished life experiences, and years later I went onto express my love for the Phantom story by authoring my own Phantom of the Opera based novel, Chanson de l’Ange.

In the role of the Phantom, Michael delivered a sensuous and tragically beautiful performance that elicited deeply felt emotions from the audience as we witnessed his historic portrayal.  After his four years of inhabiting the Phantom’s mask, Michael left the role to portray other characters in other shows, but perhaps none so well loved as the Phantom…..(Click the MORE button to read the entire article)

Those who have been following his career are already aware of the role he is currently in the process of “creating,” for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new stage musical TheWizard of Oz, but for those who are not, I am posting the article below.  I would  like to wish Michael all the best as he comes out of retirement to portray yet another iconic figure, who will no doubt enchant adults and children alike!  I suspect that Michael will bring something uniquely magical and humorous to this beloved character, as audiences flock to see him on stage again!

When I first saw the photograph of Michael in all his royal “Wizardry,” I could not stop smiling!  Look at that warm smile and those lovely crinkly blue eyes!  As the Phantom, he made me feel desire and sorrow, but seeing him as the Wizard-I just want to hug him to pieces!

Now read on about Michael’s journey down his own Yellow Brick Road!

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Michael Crawford: “I fought off ME to make Wizard comeback to the West End.”

The 69-year-old performer has been away from the theatre world for almost six years, since leaving his role in The Woman In White due to ill health.

He is expected to make a triumphant return in Andrew Lloyd Webber‘s new production of the Wizard Of Oz tonight after fearing his career had been cut short by the debilitating illness.

He collapsed after a performance in 2005 and after numerous scans and tests, he was diagnosed with the post-viral condition myalgic encephalopathy (ME). He told the Standard: “I did think my career was over. I had no idea if I was going to get better or not. It was inexplicable. I kept trying everything – I changed my diet, tried different herbs, but it really came down to not putting pressure on my life.

“I moved out to New Zealand to live as I thought the warmth and peace and quiet would help me. I went away and changed my whole life routine. I took the pressure off, and when I was tired I just stopped. I was lucky as that is something you can’t really do in every day life.”

The Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em star, who was in the musical Billy for two years, Barnum for four years and Phantom Of The Opera for four years, said at the height of his illness he was exhausted by around 4pm each day. But as he relaxed into his new lifestyle of sailing, fishing and playing with his five grandchildren, he gradually found himself with more energy.

“I spent a lot more time with my family and my grandchildren,” he added. “You learn so much from them and they had a lot to do with my recovery. Playing around in the pool with them, I had such fun. My recovery just seemed to happen slowly when I had taken my mind off things.”

Lord Lloyd-Webber had tried several times to coax Crawford out of his hiatus, but only succeeded when the role of the Wizard cropped up.

He said: “I had to think for a long time over this offer. In the end I felt it was too good to turn down.

“It’s not a massive role, but I’m quite happy doing this, and I will see how it goes. I really didn’t realise until I got back the work that goes into a performance. You’re like an athlete – if you haven’t been practising things tighten up. I had to do a lot of practice work, but I got through it. Even when I was 21 I would have a 40-minute nap on the day of a show, and I will still do that. But it’s been so far so good.”

Crawford has signed up for a six-month run in the Wizard Of Oz, which will begin previewing at the London Palladium tonight.

http://www.wizardofozthemusical.com