Dale Kristien's The Beauty of Broadway: A Must-Listen for Phantom Lovers

Dale Kristien, The Beauty of Broadway

Dale Kristien holds the unique distinction of being the only actress to perform the role of Christine for eight weekly performances in the original Los Angeles production of The Phantom of the Opera until it closed. Her journey as Christine began as the Alternate Christine on Broadway, stepping in for Patti Cohenour who replaced Sarah Brightman. It’s a shame that replacement performers often don't get the chance to release a cast recording, especially when they possess a voice like Dale Kristien.

A page from Phantom's LA program featuring Dale with Michael Crawford

After the LA production of Phantom ended, Dale recorded an eleven-track CD for Prima Records titled The Beauty of Broadway. Naturally, she included a few Phantom tunes. Her renditions of “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again” and “Think of Me” are stellar, complete with her breathtaking cadenza and HIGH C. The album also features her duet “All I Ask of You” with her Raoul co-star, Michael Piontek. The other eight tracks span various shows, from Peter Pan and The Secret Garden to Irene. One of the most epic moments on this CD, besides the Phantom tracks, is her incredible vocal duel with her former Carlotta, Leigh Munro, during “Glitter and Be Gay” from Candide.

Dale’s voice is unique, lighter in tone than most actresses who have portrayed Christine. However, this lightness does not equate to weakness by any means. I highly recommend this CD to any Phantom fan who appreciates an outstanding Christine, as well as fans of classic musical theatre.

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Megan Starr-Levitt's Beautiful Broadway: An Intimate Vocal Masterpiece

I first encountered Megan Starr-Levitt as an understudy in the Broadway production of Phantom, but she truly shone when she covered the role of Christine. Her performance was mesmerizing. When I saw that Megan had released a CD, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it.

Beautiful Broadway features ten tracks, including beloved classics like "How Could I Even Know" from The Secret Garden, "Moonfall" from Drood, and "Think of Me" from Phantom. Megan's voice is stunning and crystal clear, and her renditions of these songs are simply captivating.

Megan Starr-Levitt as Christine

While the album is a simpler production, with Megan’s voice backed by a single piano, it allows her vocals to take center stage. This raw, intimate setup beautifully showcases her talent. Her rendition of "Think of Me" is a standout and is a permanent fixture on my playlist.

I highly recommend this CD to fans of Megan, classic Broadway, and those who appreciate the purity of piano and voice arrangements. Though it's a little hard to find, it's worth searching for as Megan’s voice is colorful and beautiful, making this album a delightful addition to any collection.

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