“If everyone’s healthy and in the show, the swings sit backstage and wait in case there’s a last minute cast change. “I had never done a swing job before,” says Harris, who worked in regional theater and opera productions before joining the “Phantom” Music Box Company three years ago. 31, at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles, ending its nearly 18-year run.

The Second National Tour (Raoul Company) had an eight-and-a-half year run, and now, the Third National Tour (Music Box Company) will play its final performance on Halloween, Oct.

cities since the First National Tour (Christine Company) opened in Los Angeles in May 1989. Three national tours have played in 77 U.S. This month, his performances will be somewhat bittersweet, as the musical juggernaut that has grossed more than $1.5 billion in box office sales on the road is ending its historic run. The job requires not only versatility in voice and quick thinking, but also the ability to handle going to work every day, not knowing if or when you’ll be called to go on stage. You might call him one of the unsung heroes of the show, as Harris is a swing - responsible for covering any one of 11 roles in the musical whenever another cast member is unable to perform. Michael Scott Harris has had 11 debuts with the third national touring company of “ Phantom of the Opera,” playing a different character each time in the Broadway musical that has generated the longest continuously-running tour in U.S.

Posted in Between Us column, Business, Entertainment at 6:49 pm by dinaheng OctoSwing plays pivotal role in “Phantom of the Opera”

Touring phantom of the opera cast