Brightside’s first production of 2026 will be a concert performance of the musical PHANTOM, with a score by Maury Yeston (composer of the musicals TITANIC and NINE) and a book adapted by Arthur Kopit (author of the plays WINGS and INDIANS). The musical is based on the Gaston Laroux novel THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and has enjoyed over 1000 productions around the world. A hauntingly beautiful take on the tale of the Phantom of the Opera, this musical offers a deeply emotional and romantic reimagining of the novel, offering a deeper exploration of the phantom's past, set to Yeston’s mesmerizing score. PHANTOM IN CONCERT will be directed by BrightSide Artistic Director Jeffrey Cass and Phil Videckis will be Music Director. It will be performed by a cast of 16 and a 9-piece orchestra, from January 9 to 18 in the Madden Theatre at North Central College in Naperville. The PHANTOM IN CONCERT press opening will be January 9, 2026, at 7:30 pm.
Leading the 16-member cast as Erik the Phantom, will be Caden Cole of Frankfort. Christine, the singer the Phantom coaches and loves, will be played by Emily Lewis of Chicago. Count Philippe de Chandon, who helps Christine get a job with the Paris Opera, will be performed by Joe Moerschel of Vernon Hills. Julie Ann Kornak of Naperville will be Carlotta, the company Diva who is threatened by Christine’s talent. Gerard Carrière, the former head of the Opera who is secretly Erik’s father, will be played by Michael Rivera of Westmont, while Carrière’s successor as Opera head, Cholet, will be performed by Stan Austin of Winfield. Austin will also understudy Carrière. Cast in other principal roles are Michael John Lynch of Chicago as Jean-Claude, Myles Mattsey of New Lenox as Inspector LeDoux, and Dana Vetter of Lombard as Belladova. Vetter will also understudy Christine.
The ensemble, some of whom will additionally understudy principal roles, includes Matthew Andresen of Greenfield, Wisconsin; Amy Arbizzani of Naperville (also u/s Carlotta), Michelle Bolliger of Roselle (also u/s Belladova), Jack Keilman of Chicago (also u/s LeDoux and Philippe), Juan Sedonio of Port Barrington, Shaina Summerville of Rolling Meadows and SarahAnn Sutter of Northbrook.
PHANTOM IN CONCERT will be performed in North Central College’s Madden Theatre at 171 Chicago Avenue in Naperville, Tickets are $37.00 for adults and $32.00 for students and seniors. Tickets are on sale at www.BrightSidetheatre.com or by phone at 630-447-TIXS (8497).
PHANTOM IN CONCERT
Book by Arthur Kopit, Music and Lyrics by Maury Yeston
Based on Gaston Leroux’s novel THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
Directed by Jeffrey Cass
Music Direction by Phil Videckis
January 9-18, 2026
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 2 pm, Saturday matinee on January 17 at 2 pm
Press Opening Friday, January 9 at 7:30 pm
Madden Theater
North Central College, 171 Chicago Ave in Naperville
Tickets $32 - $37, on sale now at www.BrightSideTheatre.com or at 630-447-TIXS (8497)
Experience the haunting romance of PHANTOM IN CONCERT, the stunning musical by Maury Yeston (NINE and TITANIC) and Arthur Kopit, inspired by Gaston Leroux’s classic novel. This elegant concert presentation showcases the lush, melodic score and sweeping storytelling that set this version apart from all others. With its rich orchestrations and deeply human characters, PHANTOM offers a poignant and powerful take on the legendary tale of love, obsession, and music beneath the Paris Opera House. A must-see for musical theatre lovers and romantics alike.
BIOS
Jeffrey Cass (Artistic Director) is a Joseph Jefferson Award Nominee and has successfully directed over 30 Productions for BrightSide Theatre, most recently THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, PIPPIN, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, CHESS IN CONCERT, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC and GYPSY. He also played “Edna” in BST’s production of HAIRSPRAY. He holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theater Performance from Roosevelt University. He previously served as the Producing Director for Circle Theatre where he directed eight productions, including THE WHO’S TOMMY (6 Joseph Jefferson Nominations including Best Musical and Best Director).
Maury Yeston (Composer/Lyricist) Maury Yeston’s music and lyrics include his internationally acclaimed Broadway musicals NINE and TITANIC (both of which earned him Tony Awards for Best Score and Best Musical, as well as Grammy nominations) and GRAND HOTEL (Tony nomination, Olivier Award). The Broadway revival of NINE, starring Antonio Banderas, won an additional Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. Yeston received Academy Award, Golden Globe and Critics Choice nominations for Best Original Song for the film of NINE, which featured Daniel Day Lewis, Sophia Loren, Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman and Judi Dench. His musicals produced Off-Broadway are PHANTOM, DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY and IN THE BEGINNING.
Arthur Kopit (Bookwriter). Throughout a career spanning seven decades, Arthur Kopit authored an extraordinary string of admired, acclaimed and award-winning stage works, beginning with OH DAD, POOR DAD, MAMMA'S HUNG YOU IN THE CLOSET AND I'M FEELIN' SO SAD, which Jerome Robbins directed on Broadway while Kopit was still an undergraduate at Harvard. His other works include INDIANS (Tony Award Nominee, Finalist for Pulitzer Prize); WINGS (Tony Nominee, Finalist for Pulitzer Prize); END OF THE WORLD, WITH SYMPOSIUM TO FOLLOW; a new translation of Ibsen's GHOSTS; the book for the musicals NINE and PHANTOM (both with scores by Maury Yeston); the book for the musical HIGH SOCIETY; ROAD TO NIRVANA; BECAUSE HE CAN (originally entitled Y2K); and numerous one-act plays.
ABOUT BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE
BrightSide Theatre (Jeffrey Cass, Artistic Director and Julie Ann Kornak, Executive Director) is committed to Enlighten, Educate, and Entertain through comedies and inspirational stories from across the globe. A unique blend of award-winners, premieres, modern works and timeless classics meant to reflect upon and inform our community inhabit BrightSide’s stage. For more information on BrightSide Theatre, please visit www.BrightSidetheatre.com.