Listening Library Announces Star Cast of Audiobook: OUR STRANGE DUET by Erin A. Craig
Erin A. Craig (photo credit: Cynthia Whipkey).
Listening Library and LW Entertainment, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s global entertainment company, announced the cast of the audiobook of OUR STRANGE DUET by #1 New York Times bestselling author Erin A. Craig. Set against the haunting, romantic world of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera, OUR STRANGE DUET sees Christine Daaé take center stage to tell her story in her own voice.
They are joined by Sierra Boggess as Carlotta Giudicelli (Phantom of the Opera), Tony Award-winning Katrina Lenk (The Band’s Visit) as Madame Giry, Tony Award-winning Norm Lewis (Phantom of the Opera) as Ubaldo Piangi, Stephanie Styles (Kiss Me Kate) as Meg Giry, Tony Award-winning Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family) as Monsieur Firmin, and Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey) as Monsieur Andre.
Beatrice Penny-Touré in the recording studio (photo credit: Will Carne).
Beatrice Penny-Touré made her professional and West End debut in Phantom in the ensemble before taking on the role of Christine Daaé, a role she is returning to in the show’s anticipated 40th anniversary season in London this fall. Further credits include Cosette in the 40th Anniversary and Arena World Tour of Les Misérables.
Penny-Touré says, “It’s been a magical experience recording this audiobook, and it’s something I’ve never done before. And it is very special that it is a story that is so close to my heart, and very relevant in my life right now. It feels very full circle because I spent a lot of time as a child creating fantasy stories and recording them on this little tape recorder that my parents got me for Christmas. And I think if 9-year-old me, saw me doing this now as a job she would be very impressed.”
Jordan Donica in the recording studio (photo credit: Charlotte Lesnick).
The Phantom/Erik’s role is voiced by the Tony Award–nominated Jordan Donica, who currently stars as Dr. William Kirkland in HBO Max’s The Gilded Age and recently starred as Sir Lancelot in the Lincoln Center Theater production of Camelot. Donica made his debut as Raoul in the Broadway production of Phantom of the Opera and this fall, he returns to the show to star in the 40th anniversary production in London’s West End as The Phantom.
Donica shares “The Phantom is a role that I’ve always wanted to play. It’s the role that made me want to pursue the arts as a career. And so, to get the honor of playing this role and diving into his psyche – you’ll know when you read the book…It only helps to inform all of the other versions of this show that I will be a part of and have been a part of.”
Jordan Fisher in the recording studio (photo credit: Ana Murphy).
Dancing with the Stars winner Jordan Fisher is the voice of Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny. Fisher has an acclaimed Broadway resume, including Hamilton, Sweeney Todd, Moulin Rouge, Dear Evan Hansen, and Hadestown. Fisher notes, “We’re getting to tell the story in a way that’s never been done before, never been heard before.”
Sierra Boggess in the recording studio (photo credit: Ana Murphy).
Sierra Boggess plays the role of Carlotta Giudicelli. Sierra is one of Phantom of the Opera’s most beloved Christines and one of Broadway’s great leading ladies. She starred in the 25th Anniversary production at London’s Royal Albert Hall and also appeared in Love Never Dies. She is returning to the show for its 40th anniversary production in London, as the Prima Donna, Carlotta in the fall.
Boggess expressed while in the studio, “Recording this audiobook has been really incredible because I’m getting to know these characters even deeper than I realized I needed to. I’ve been associated with the show so many times as Christine but stepping in as Carlotta and getting to see her journey and go deeper than even what we see on the stage has been really enlightening and it’s also really fun.”
Stephanie Styles in the recording studio (photo credit: Danielle Siess).
Kiss Me, Kate and Loot star Stephanie Styles performs the role of Meg Giry. Her connection to Phantom of the Opera traces back to her parents. Styles says, “It would not be hyperbolic to say that I may only exist because of Phantom of the Opera. My mom and dad’s first date was to see the original cast on Broadway.”