Musical theatre royalty turn out for The Phantom of the Opera opening night at State Theatre
Tennis ace Todd Woodbridge has said suffering a heart attack was a “wake-up call” to look after himself as he joined celebrities at The Phantom of the Opera opening night. SEE THE PICS.
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Todd Woodbridge has been given the all clear after suffering a mild heart attack last month.
The former tennis ace said he’s feeling good and was pleased to hear others had got checked as a result of him speaking up about his health.
“I’ve got my all-clear and I’m ready to get back to a full schedule as of next week,” he said.
“I know people who have got checked after hearing what happened to me and that’s a good thing.”
Woodbridge and son Beau, a musical theatre star, stepped out for the opening night of Phantom of the Opera on Friday night.
Woodbridge, 51, revealed to the Herald Sun that he had experienced sweats and chest pains before rushing to hospital.
Fit and healthy, he was shocked with the diagnosis, which also included having high cholesterol.
“I keep active, I eat well, I do all the right things,” he said.
“It’s been a wake-up call to me and to make sure I look after myself.”
The TV commentator will resume work on his new show Cross Court with Jelena Dokic, a summer preview show leading into the Australian Open. He will also be part of commentary for the Australian Open golf.
He said Phantom’s leading man Josh Piterman was a handy tennis player.
“I’ve played a bit of tennis with him, he was a high quality junior player,” Woodbridge said.
“He can also sing a bit too.”
The Phantom of the Opera opened at the State Theatre on Friday, with Melbourne celebrities turning out in full force.
Scheduled guests included actor Sigrid Thornton, singers Tottie Goldsmith, and Linda and Vika Bull, showgirl Rhonda Burchmore, musician Athol Guy, former tennis champion Todd Woodbridge, AFL great Billy Brownless, and former Sale of the Century co-host Nicky Buckley.
The show also marked the return of Josh Piterman, who played the Phantom on London’s West End, to his home town.
“Melbourne is my home town, and this means the world,” Piterman said. “Finally, my family and my mates get to see it. A lot of them couldn’t come to London to see the show, so this means everything to me. I can’t wait to share it with my home crowd.”
Amy Manford, who plays leading lady Christine Daae in Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s dark love story, also performed the role on the West End.
Phantom, which marked its 36th year on stage on Sunday, has seen stars including Michael Crawford, Rob Guest and Anthony Warlow play the title character, and Marina Prior and Sarah Brightman play Christine.
“Every person has made the role their own,” Manford said.
“It’s a chance for us to put our interpretation on it, and create something special on stage.”
The opening night crowd gave the Phantom of the Opera cast a rapturous standing ovation on Friday.
The dark musical, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, and updated for this run by Cameron Mackintosh, features grittier looks, particularly when the Phantom and Christine venture to the bowels of the opera house.
Overall, the Phantom of the Opera remains exquisite theatre, with powerful leads, pitch-perfect performances, spectacular sets, and the most famous music of the night written for the stage.
Piterman, Manford and Blake Bowden as the protaginst Raoul are outstanding.
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