From a February 2012 review:

“First of all, I have to focus on stage presence.  Hugh Panaro (The Phantom) is powerful.  His first booming voice sent chills down my spine.  He creates a focus around himself that other actors can only envy.  In fact, it was well after intermission that I realized he was actually quite short.  Call it a quirk of character placement on stage, but when he stood next to Trista (Christine Daaé) towards the end of the play they were actually of a similar height.  He simply appeared a grander and larger character by sheer force of will and voice.  Awesome to behold.”

Singing “Anthem”

Playbill, production photo, and headshot from The Red Shoes

hugh-panaro:

Clips of Hugh Panaro in The Red Shoes, with Steve Barton and Margaret Illmann

marylr96:

Well, back in January (yesyesyes, I know, it was an epoch ago) I had the lucky opportunity to travel to the Big Apple (a long way away from where I live) and while I was there, I made a point to go see Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. (I had seen the 2004 movie and had worn out my iPod listening…

Hugh Panaro as Lt. Cable in South Pacific

Left:  Regional production ca. 1985

Right:  Tarbell Awards concert, 2009

cotypubby:

Hugh Panaro & Kate McCauley in the Walnut Street Theatre’s production of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC from 1986.

“Philadelphia native Hugh Panaro is truly a treasure of the American stage. With a remarkable list of credits, including Walnut Street Theatre, he is one of the most popular actors to play The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera. Panaro is currently performing the iconic role at Broadway’s Majestic Theatre. The Walnut is proud to welcome Hugh Panaro back to Philadelphia, where his love for theatre began, to honor him with the Edwin Forrest Award.”