The Circle of Life in Theatre: An Actress' Journey
In a remarkable twist of fate, a Bloomfield Hills actress, Alyssa Giannetti, has come full circle with her latest role in the iconic 'Phantom of the Opera.' This production holds a special significance for Giannetti, as it brings her back to the very stage where her passion for theatre ignited.
Alyssa's journey with 'Phantom' began during her high school years at Andover, where she starred in a school production during her junior year. Little did she know, this experience would lead her to perform at the prestigious Detroit Opera House alongside her school choir during her senior year. Fast forward a few years, and Giannetti's first national tour post-graduation from Northwestern University was with none other than the first national touring company of Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Phantom' sequel, 'Love Never Dies.'
'I'm thrilled to be back,' Giannetti shares, 'and it's an entirely different phase of my life now.' Reflecting on her previous experience with 'Love Never Dies,' she adds, 'That was my first professional contract. Now, with a career behind me, I've grown so much as a performer, learning the ropes of stage work, becoming a better scene partner, and continuously refining my craft.'
And now, returning to the original 'Phantom' production feels nothing short of magical for Giannetti.
But here's where it gets interesting... Giannetti, who has been an understudy for the female lead Christine Daae in 'Love Never Dies,' now gets to tell the first part of the 'Phantom' story. 'It's like I'm aging backwards 10 years,' she jokes. 'Watching Christine's journey is so important. It's about finding her voice, discovering what she wants from life, and learning from the people around her. That connection is what ties these shows together, and it greatly influences how I approach my role in 'Phantom.'
A lifelong theatre enthusiast, Giannetti credits her parents for introducing her to the world of musical theatre. 'I had 'Les Misérables' memorized even before I saw it on stage,' she recalls. While she took piano lessons and was part of the school choir, it was her audition for 'Phantom' at Andover that truly sparked her passion for musical theatre. 'I was a late starter,' she admits, 'but when I surprised myself by landing the role of Christine, I knew this was my path.'
'The lead role usually goes to a senior, so I never expected to get Christine,' she says. 'It was a crash course in opera for me, but I loved it and thought, 'I can do this.' That summer, I decided to pursue performing, and the rest is history.'
Since then, Giannetti has studied opera at Northwestern and toured with 'Love Never Dies.' Based in New York for nearly a decade, she has worked on various productions, including 'Unmasked,' a Webber revue 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 ventured into makeup artistry, a 'side hustle' that allows her to be creative and flexible with her performing schedule.
Being a part of the 'Phantom' legacy, with its seven Tony Awards and global reach, is undoubtedly a career highlight for Giannetti. 'This current tour is as close to the Broadway production as it gets,' she says. 'Everything is grand, beautiful, and larger than life. It's a wonderful blend of the original's beauty and fresh, new energy, with cast members who have a history with 'Phantom' and those experiencing it for the first time.'
'The Phantom of the Opera' will be staged at the Detroit Opera House from February 4th to 15th, with a special Open Caption performance on February 8th at 6:30 p.m. Don't miss this opportunity to witness Giannetti's magical journey and be a part of theatre history.
And this is the part most people miss... What do you think? Is there a certain production or role that holds a special place in your heart? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! We'd love to hear your stories and continue this conversation.
