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Hugh Panaro is an acclaimed actor and singer, best known for his extensive work on Broadway, particularly his more than 2,000 performances as the Phantom in 'The Phantom of the Opera'.
Hugh Panaro performed with Barbra Streisand on her first European concert tour in the summer of 2007.
Hugh Panaro has performed with The New York Pops in events such as 'From Stage to Screen' at Carnegie Hall and has been involved with their board appointments and cabaret performances.
Hugh Panaro has had multiple engagements at 54 Below, including a solo show 'Man Without A Mask' and collaborations with other artists.
Panaro has upcoming engagements with the Philly Pops, among other symphony orchestras.
Panaro has upcoming engagements with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra.
Panaro has upcoming engagements with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra.
Panaro has upcoming engagements with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra.
Panaro has upcoming engagements with the Maui Pops Orchestra.
Panaro has upcoming engagements with the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra.
Hugh Panaro was cast by Harold Prince as both The Phantom and Raoul in the Broadway production of 'The Phantom of the Opera'. He also debuted in Harold Prince's 'Show Boat' in London.
Panaro originated the title role in the American premiere of Sir Cameron Mackintosh's 'Martin Guerre'.
Hugh Panaro was born on February 19, 1964, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended St. Helena’s parochial school and graduated from La Salle College High School in 1982. Initially considering a career in veterinary medicine, Panaro discovered his passion for theatre after seeing his first Broadway musical. His early stage experience included high school productions of ‘Godspell’ and ‘Pippin’, as well as regional and dinner theatre performances. His first professional stage role was Friedrich in ‘The Sound of Music’ at age 13. He further honed his skills by studying voice with Robert Grooters at the Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University.
Panaro made his Broadway debut as Marius in ‘Les Misérables’, a role he originated in the first U.S. national touring company. His Broadway career also includes creating roles such as Buddy in ‘Side Show’ and Julian in Jule Styne’s ‘The Red Shoes’. He made his West End debut in the original London company of Harold Prince’s ‘Show Boat’ as Ravenal, a role he had previously performed on Broadway and in Toronto. Panaro is notable for being one of the few actors to play both Raoul (1991) and the Phantom (1999, 2003–2005, 2010–2014) in the Broadway production of ‘The Phantom of the Opera’, with over 2,000 performances as the titular character, including the 25th Anniversary production. He also originated the title role in the American premiere of Sir Cameron Mackintosh’s ‘Martin Guerre’ in 1999.
His career also extends to television and film, including an appearance as a Hotel Clerk in an episode of ‘Law & Order’ (1998) and a role in the 1997 romantic comedy ‘Broadway Damage’. In 2005, he created the title role in Elton John’s musical ‘Lestat’, for which he earned an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination. More recently, Panaro reprised the role of Sweeney Todd in the Off-Broadway production at the Barrow Street Theater from 2017 to 2018, having previously played Anthony Hope in a 2002 concert version. He is slated to reprise his role as The Phantom in an immersive revival in New York City in 2025.
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