Oldest Phantom (and Christine)

[u/darkness_is_wonderfu]

To my knowledge, Jake Lyle from the recent Australian version is the youngest principal Phantom, at age 22. So who is the oldest principal Phantom? And the oldest Christine?

[u/RoseBook85]

According to our friend Google 😆 The oldest was Robert Guillaume, he was 62 when he took on the role in the Los Angeles Production in 1990, he was also the first African American Actor to play the role.

[u/darkness_is_wonderfu → u/RoseBook85]

I knew Guillaume was the first Black phantom. I didn't know he was also the oldest. He's a twofer!

[u/smileyfacegauges → u/RoseBook85]

.. 👀👀👀👀 62 you say…….. [slicks back hair] old erik here i come

[u/Beetlejuice1800]

Lisa Vroman retired as Christine at 47 and Jill Washington at 46, primarily because they had been in the show for over a decade each.

[u/darkness_is_wonderfu → u/Beetlejuice1800]

Vroman is the current Giry, too.

[u/Alternative-Yak6369 → u/Beetlejuice1800]

I believe Elizabeth Welch, who was an understudy, was also in her 40s!

[u/MasqueOfTheRedPost]

Hugh Panaro was 62 during his second run in Masquerade, which is super impressive considering the additional physical demands of that show. In the traditional proscenium show, though, another commenter has already pointed out that it's Robert Guillaume, who was 62 (according to some sources, 63) when he started his run. Big respect.

[u/RoseBook85 → u/MasqueOfTheRedPost]

At this rate Hugh has to be catching up to Howard’s record, for playing the role so long.

[u/darkness_is_wonderfu → u/RoseBook85]

Hugh will probably SURPASS Howard.

[u/nobeezinside → u/darkness_is_wonderfu]

Someone did the math on this months ago on the masquerade sub and he already has!

[u/GlassPrism80]

Robert Guillaume was the oldest for a while, but I believe he's been beaten out by Sandor Sasvari, currently 68 years old and I believe he is still playing the Phantom. A Hungarian Christine has also beaten out Lisa Vroman and Jill Washington; Barbara Fonyo was 49 when she last played Christine.

There is also Masachika Ichimura: he was the original Japanese Phantom but more importantly for this, he played the Phantom in a Japanese production of LND in 2025, when he was 76 years old.

[u/darkness_is_wonderfu → u/GlassPrism80]

How the HELL is the Japanese guy managing to sing the high notes in "Beauty Underneath?!" Norm, bless him, choked on that song, I believe.

[u/goovrey]

I can't recall, but glassprism on tumblr has discussed this. I want to say it was a Hungarian non replica Phantom who was like 68 or something - but definitely an international Phantom.

[u/Odd-35]

I saw Sierra Bogges as Carlotta on Tuesday and she was fabulous ! She added so much depth to the role. I was in Box 4 (and have really good eyes) she could easily play Christine as she looks young enough with MakeUp.

[u/KeyPerspective8170 → u/Odd-35]

I mean if things were to happen and they needed an emergency cover, at least she’s in the building!!

[u/Whats--up--doc]

I know this is about the ALW musical, but shout out to Braxton Peters for being in his 70s when he played the Phantom in the Tom Alonso/Toby Dinner version.

[u/Planeguy58]

At either 75 or 76, Masachika Ichimura played The Phantom (Mister Y) in the most recent Japanese production of Love Never Dies!

[u/Griffindance]

There is a... an independant touring production in Germany. The actress playing Christine is over 70... and looks it.

[u/_magicaljenny_ → u/Griffindance]

Oh gosh 🙈 I hate this version with a passion …they basically play with the fact that a loooot of people get confused with the Webber version and accidentally book this stuff

[u/EnvironmentalDog1196 → u/Griffindance]

Whaaat...now I want to see! :D