Bloomfield Hills actress Alyssa Giannetti is back on stage, bringing a full circle experience to the metro area's return of 'The Phantom of the Opera'. Giannetti's journey began in her junior year of high school, starring in a production of 'Phantom' at Andover High School, and performing at the Detroit Opera House, where the iconic musical, the longest-running show in Broadway history, is now being staged. Her first national tour, post-graduation from Northwestern University, was in the cast of 'Love Never Dies', the sequel to 'Phantom', which played at the Fisher Theatre in 2017. Now, she's thrilled to be back with the original 'Phantom', bringing her newfound experience and training to the role of understudy for the female lead, Christine Daae.
Giannetti's passion for theater started early, thanks to her parents' influence. She recalls memorizing 'Les Misérables' before even seeing it on stage and taking piano lessons and choir classes. However, she considers herself a 'late starter' in musical theater, only beginning her journey after winning the Daae role in the Andover High School production of 'Phantom'. Despite her late start, she pursued performing with determination, participating in a summer program at the University of Michigan and taking steps towards pre-screenings for college programs.
Since her time with 'Love Never Dies', Giannetti has worked with various productions, including 'Unmasked' at the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey, 'Into the Woods' with the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, and 'Mary Poppins' in St. Louis. She also started a 'side hustle' doing makeup for shows and weddings, finding a creative outlet that complements her performing schedule.
Being part of the 'Phantom' legacy, with its seven Tony Awards and over 160 million global audience, is a significant milestone in Giannetti's career. She describes the current tour as a faithful representation of the Broadway production, with a mix of familiar faces and new energy. Giannetti is excited to be a part of this iconic musical, sharing her love for theater with audiences worldwide.
