John Cudia
John Cudia was born in North Carolina on September 21, 1970. He was raised
in Toms River, NJ. He did his first musical play in the first grade.
His first role on Broadway was as Feuilly in Les Miserables. He went on to
play many of the lead male roles in Les Miserable, inlcuding Jean Valjean.
His first encounter with Phantom was when he was cast as a temporary swing
in the touring production. There he met his now wife, Kathy Voytko. Nine
months later, he gained the role of Raoul in the touring cast. He played Raoul
on Broadway also, where he was an understudy for the Phantom. Finally he
was cast as the Phantom in the touring production. He has also played the
Phantom on Broadway. This makes him the first man to play both Jean
Valjean and the Phantom on Broadway. His regional credits inculde Jesus in
Jesus Christ Superstar, Lieutenant Cable in South Pacific and Tony in West
Side Story.
He is currently playing the part of The Phantom on the National Tour of The
Phantom of the Opera.
Thank you John for your time and support in this interview.
Sandra - What has meant for your artistic career being the Phantom of the
Opera in Webber's musical?
John - Phantom of the Opera is the ultimate challange and offers the best
rewards. It has meant as much to me in my personal life as my professional
life. The show introduced me to my wife Kathy Voytko and also has given
me the most exposure as an artist.
Sandra - What scene/song of the Phantom musical is your favourite and why.
John - I truly enjoy playing the final scene in the show. The "final lair" as we
call it, calls upon every emotion and every bit of energy. It is tremendous fun
to play.
Sandra - What are some of the aspects you have brought into your
interpretation of the Phantom?
John - I think my "Phantom" is very vulnerable. He really does not want to be
seen without his literal and emotional mask. Yet, he is so hopeful that
Christine can set his heart free.
Sandra - Can you tell us a good anecdote you remember when you were the
Phantom?
John - Well, just the other day when I was "hanging" Raoul, the noose simply
popped off his head. Luckily it was still within reach and I was able to grab
it and return it where it belongs. AH, RAOUL, THE MAN SO NICE, I'LL
HANG HIM TWICE!
Sandra - What is it, in your opinion, that makes the show so appealing?
John - It has everything. Beautiful music, a simple yet great story, and all the
technical elements you could ever want in a show.
Sandra - What did you find most difficult to prepare for your role? Did you
read any book or see any movie?
John - I did not use any particular source in preparation of the role. My
performance has developed over several years of being in the show as Raoul
and as the Phantom's understudy. So, most of my ideas have slowly evolved
from playing with the material contained in this version of the Phantom's
story.
Sandra - What is your opinion about your main character, the Phantom?
John - I understand a lot of what drives him. I love his passion, however
misguided or misdirected.
Sandra - You have played Raoul's role too, what's your view of him?
John - My feeling about him is that Christine really changes his outlook on
life. She; or rather falling in love with her, changes him into a more caring,
less self centered person. He loves life, and has lived it to the fullest, as one
would expect of someone in his position.
Sandra - We know you have played Valjean's role in Les Miserables
Broadway musical, what is in your opinion the scene which presents a maxim
vocal difficulty ?
John - The whole show is ridiculousy difficult. I tip my hat to anyone who
has gotten through it successfully. But, if I had to choose one scene, it would
be the prologue "what have I done..."
Sandra - You have been in geat musicals like the Phantom of the Opera,
JesusChrist Superstar, South Pacific, West Side Story Les Miserables..., what
is the role you would like to play some day?
John - I would love to play Emille Debecque in South Pacific, Billy Bigelow
in Carousel or Rodolfo in La Boheme.
Sandra - What would you say to your fans?
John - I am so happy if people feel I am doing their favorite show justice.
This show has been a blessing to me and the fans coming to see it again and
again has kept me employed for a long time. We can't do it without you.
Thank you.
Sandra - Tell us about your future projects.
John - Nothing in the fire for me right now. I am looking forward to
returning home at some point soon and starting a family.
Please, don't copy this text and photos without my permission.
Copyright by Ladyghost.
in Toms River, NJ. He did his first musical play in the first grade.
His first role on Broadway was as Feuilly in Les Miserables. He went on to
play many of the lead male roles in Les Miserable, inlcuding Jean Valjean.
His first encounter with Phantom was when he was cast as a temporary swing
in the touring production. There he met his now wife, Kathy Voytko. Nine
months later, he gained the role of Raoul in the touring cast. He played Raoul
on Broadway also, where he was an understudy for the Phantom. Finally he
was cast as the Phantom in the touring production. He has also played the
Phantom on Broadway. This makes him the first man to play both Jean
Valjean and the Phantom on Broadway. His regional credits inculde Jesus in
Jesus Christ Superstar, Lieutenant Cable in South Pacific and Tony in West
Side Story.
He is currently playing the part of The Phantom on the National Tour of The
Phantom of the Opera.
Thank you John for your time and support in this interview.
Sandra - What has meant for your artistic career being the Phantom of the
Opera in Webber's musical?
John - Phantom of the Opera is the ultimate challange and offers the best
rewards. It has meant as much to me in my personal life as my professional
life. The show introduced me to my wife Kathy Voytko and also has given
me the most exposure as an artist.
Sandra - What scene/song of the Phantom musical is your favourite and why.
John - I truly enjoy playing the final scene in the show. The "final lair" as we
call it, calls upon every emotion and every bit of energy. It is tremendous fun
to play.
Sandra - What are some of the aspects you have brought into your
interpretation of the Phantom?
John - I think my "Phantom" is very vulnerable. He really does not want to be
seen without his literal and emotional mask. Yet, he is so hopeful that
Christine can set his heart free.
Sandra - Can you tell us a good anecdote you remember when you were the
Phantom?
John - Well, just the other day when I was "hanging" Raoul, the noose simply
popped off his head. Luckily it was still within reach and I was able to grab
it and return it where it belongs. AH, RAOUL, THE MAN SO NICE, I'LL
HANG HIM TWICE!
Sandra - What is it, in your opinion, that makes the show so appealing?
John - It has everything. Beautiful music, a simple yet great story, and all the
technical elements you could ever want in a show.
Sandra - What did you find most difficult to prepare for your role? Did you
read any book or see any movie?
John - I did not use any particular source in preparation of the role. My
performance has developed over several years of being in the show as Raoul
and as the Phantom's understudy. So, most of my ideas have slowly evolved
from playing with the material contained in this version of the Phantom's
story.
Sandra - What is your opinion about your main character, the Phantom?
John - I understand a lot of what drives him. I love his passion, however
misguided or misdirected.
Sandra - You have played Raoul's role too, what's your view of him?
John - My feeling about him is that Christine really changes his outlook on
life. She; or rather falling in love with her, changes him into a more caring,
less self centered person. He loves life, and has lived it to the fullest, as one
would expect of someone in his position.
Sandra - We know you have played Valjean's role in Les Miserables
Broadway musical, what is in your opinion the scene which presents a maxim
vocal difficulty ?
John - The whole show is ridiculousy difficult. I tip my hat to anyone who
has gotten through it successfully. But, if I had to choose one scene, it would
be the prologue "what have I done..."
Sandra - You have been in geat musicals like the Phantom of the Opera,
JesusChrist Superstar, South Pacific, West Side Story Les Miserables..., what
is the role you would like to play some day?
John - I would love to play Emille Debecque in South Pacific, Billy Bigelow
in Carousel or Rodolfo in La Boheme.
Sandra - What would you say to your fans?
John - I am so happy if people feel I am doing their favorite show justice.
This show has been a blessing to me and the fans coming to see it again and
again has kept me employed for a long time. We can't do it without you.
Thank you.
Sandra - Tell us about your future projects.
John - Nothing in the fire for me right now. I am looking forward to
returning home at some point soon and starting a family.
Please, don't copy this text and photos without my permission.
Copyright by Ladyghost.
