Ben Crawford (singer)

Ben Crawford (born May 22, 1982) is an American singer and stage actor from Tucson, Arizona. He played the lead role of The Phantom in the Broadway production of The Phantom of the Opera for five years.

Ben Crawford
BornMay 22, 1982 (age 41)
Tucson, AZ
Occupation(s)Singer, actor
Known forThe Phantom of the Opera
Partner(s)Kate Crawford (divorced)
Kelsey Connolly
Children2
Websitehttps://www.ben-crawford.com/

He made his Broadway debut in 2007 in Les Misérables as the understudy for Jean Valjean and Javert. His first principal role on Broadway was the title role in Shrek the Musical.

Early life

Born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, Crawford received a BFA in Music Theatre from the University of Arizona.

Personal life

On June 22, 2022 he announced his engagement via Instagram to former-Phantom costar, Kelsey Connolly.[1]

The Phantom of the Opera

Crawford made his debut performance in The Phantom of the Opera on April 16, 2018, following the tenure of Peter Joback.[2] After a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Crawford returned to the role in October 2021 and was set to be the final Phantom when the show closed after a record 35 year run on Broadway.[3] However, he was forced out of the show on April 1, 2023 due to sickness. He was covered the last fifteen days by Jeremy Stolle, Ted Keegan, and Laird Mackintosh.[4]

He has no relation to the originator of the role, Michael Crawford.

Stage credits
Show Role(s) Year(s) Production
Oliver! Bill Sikes 2006 The Muny
Les Misérables Courfeyrac / Factory Foreman / Brujon / Champmathieu

u/s Jean Valjean
u/s Inspector Javert

 2007-08 Broadway
Oklahoma! Jud Fry 2008 Regional
Shrek the Musical s/b Shrek Regional Tryout
Broadway
s/b Shrek
u/s Lord Farquaad		 2009 Broadway
Shrek 2009-10
Titanic Frederick Barrett 2010 The Muny
Footloose Chuck Cranston
Guys and Dolls Sky Masterson 2011 US Tour
Next to Normal Dr. Fine / Dr. Madden Regional
Merrily We Roll Along Ensemble 2012 Encores!
South Pacific Luther Billis Regional
Big Fish Don Price 2013 Regional Tryout
Broadway
On the 20th Century Ensemble
u/s Bruce Granit
u/s Max Jacobs		 2015 Broadway
110 in the Shade Bill Starbuck 2016 Regional
Evita Che
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Mr. Salt 2017-18 Broadway
The Phantom of the Opera The Phantom of the Opera 2018-23
Beauty and the Beast The Beast 2023 The Muny

References
  1. Hall, Margaret (June 22, 2022). "Ben Crawford and Kelsey Connolly Announce Engagement".
  2. Gans, Andrew (April 16, 2018). "Ben Crawford Is Broadway's The Phantom of the Opera Starting April 16". Playbill.
  3. Paulson, Michael (2022-09-16). "'Phantom of the Opera,' Broadway's Longest-Running Show, to Close". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-01-22.
  4. Laird Mackintosh Will Play Phantom of the Opera's Final Broadway Performance; Principal Ben Crawford Sidelined


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