Last week, I had the pleasure of getting to see The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. I definitely enjoyed what I saw and I can’t wait to see it again! Playing Raoul was Ryan Silverman, who just joined the Broadway cast on April 24, 2009.

Ryan played Raoul for 6 months in Las Vegas, Nevada but I am very glad that Ryan has joined the NY cast! This gives the East Coasters a chance to see what a talented actor and singer he is. You also get the chance to read my new interview with Ryan right here. So make sure you buy your tickets to see The Phantom of the Opera after you read this interview!

Photo Credit: Isaac Brekken

What were rehearsals like for Broadway?
It wasn’t too bad. I had ten days to remind myself what I did in Vegas and learn all of the things that were cut in the Vegas production. A lot of things in Act 2 here in NY aren’t in Vegas at all. It’s funny because here in NY when I am singing “All I Ask Of You” I would be in the car heading home already if I were in Vegas.

Is there an incredible difference with the Las Vegas stage and the NY stage?
The Vegas stage is a bit bigger and the theatre was built for the show. The chandelier is updated and it comes together in pieces.

What was your most challenging song to learn for Phantom back in 2007 when you first started in Las Vegas?
It was moreso the style. I had just come from doing Carmen which was rock and pop and then I came to Phantom. I had to reprogram my voice in a sense and that was the most work. It is more operatic than modern so you really have to work at it and take care of your voice.

What are your remedies to take care of your voice?
Vodka. (laughs) I’ll come home and have a couple of shots of vodka and I’ll feel like a million bucks the next day. It gets rid of everything in your throat, it’s great. Also, pineapple juice is great.

Now, have you read The Phantom of the Opera novel?
No, I have never read it. I just read the script in the beginning and I continue to listen to the cast album.

So what would you say you have learned most about yourself through this character, Raoul?
That’s a good question. I definitely learned that you can’t relax in that role. He is a very proper, aristocratic guy. As an actor, you can never let down your guard and slouch your shoulders for a second.

Do you have a favorite piece of wardrobe or a favorite set?
Oh yea. What Raoul gets to wear is so luxurious. His black suit with a white vest…but it is really all about the long black coat that I wear. It is something about when I put it on, I feel proper. It makes you stand straighter and pull your shoulder back. You feel like a million bucks when you wear it.

That’s awesome. Moving on now, had you seen Cry Baby the film prior to your involvement in the musical?
Yeah, I had seen the movie. There were workshops for Cry Baby but when I left Phantom to come to NY, the cast and crew were in previews and had lost somebody, so that is when I joined Cry Baby. The show actually closed about a week before I started rehearsals for West Side Story.

What are some of our favorite memories from West Side Story in London?
I love London. Being in London was so exciting. It is such a beautiful city and it is so historic. There is something calming about London. The people in London love West Side Story. I was kind of surprised since it is a NY story and I didn’t expect them to latch onto it like they did. There were lines around the block waiting for canceled tickets. That was exciting.

Did you have the chance to see any Shakespeare plays?
No, I didn’t. I saw a couple of plays but I never got to see anything at the Globe Theatre.

You also had another incredible experience. You shared the stage with Kristin Chenoweth (for the production, Music in the Air). What was that like?
Oh my Goodness, that was incredible! That was also another highlight. She is so amazingly talented and she is so nice. She is very giving as an actor and it was just fun to be in rehearsal with her and be on stage with her. It was a learning experience too, to see how all of those great actors are on stage. It was fun to be on stage with her because she is so hilarious.

Can you tell me about the progress of Wonderland: Alice’s New Musical Adventure?
I believe the out of town trials will be in Florida in November. I did the reading twice. It is a great show. It is a great show. The music is great, it has many different styles and the show is funny. The last reading I did was the first time the second Act has ever been read and it was pretty strong then so I am excited about what could come of it.