Ben Crawford (born May 22, 1982) is an American singer and stage actor from Tucson, Arizona. He played the lead role of The Phantom in the Broadway production of The Phantom of the Opera for five years.
He made his Broadway debut in 2007 in Les Misérables as the understudy for Jean Valjean and Javert. His first principal role on Broadway was the title role in Shrek the Musical.
Early life Born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, Crawford received a BFA in Music Theatre from the University of Arizona.
Personal life On June 22, 2022, he announced his engagement via Instagram to former-Phantom costar, Kelsey Connolly.
The Phantom of the Opera Crawford made his debut performance in The Phantom of the Opera on April 16, 2018, following the tenure of Peter Joback. After a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Crawford returned to the role in October 2021 and was set to be the final Phantom when the show closed after a record 35 year run on Broadway. However, he was forced out of the show on April 1, 2023 due to sickness. He was covered the last fifteen days by Jeremy Stolle, Ted Keegan, and Laird Mackintosh.
He has no relation to the originator of the role, Michael Crawford.
Stage credits +ShowRole(s)Year(s)ProductionOliver!Bill Sikes2006The MunyLes Misérables Courfeyrac / Factory Foreman / Brujon / Champmathieu u/s Jean Valjeanu/s Inspector Javert2007-2008BroadwayOklahoma!Jud Fry2008RegionalShrek the Musicals/b ShrekRegional TryoutBroadways/b Shreku/s Lord Farquaad2009BroadwayShrek2009-2010Titanic Frederick Barrett 2010The MunyFootloose Chuck CranstonGuys and DollsSky Masterson2011US TourNext to NormalDr. Fine / Dr. MaddenRegionalMerrily We Roll AlongEnsemble2012Encores!AnastasiaReadingSouth PacificLuther BillisRegionalBig Fish Don Price u/s Edward Bloom2013Regional TryoutBroadwayOn the Twentieth Century Actor / Passenger / Ensembleu/s Bruce Granitu/s Max Jacobs2015Broadway110 in the Shade Bill Starbuck2016RegionalEvita CheWonderful TownWreckLos Angeles OperaCharlie and the Chocolate Factory Mr. Salt2017-2018BroadwayThe Phantom of the OperaThe Phantom of the Opera2018-20202021-2023Beauty and the BeastThe Beast 2023The Muny42nd StreetJulian Marsh2024Broadway SacramentoWaitressEarl Hunterson The MunyLittle Shop of HorrorsOrin ScrivelloArt Farm at SerenbeThe Lost BoysShopkeeper / Father / Vampire / Ensemble u/s Max2026Broadway
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