'Phantom' star is looking forward to returning to S.L.

Phantoms may come and go.

"The Phantom of the Opera" is making its third visit to the Capitol Theatre this week -- with a different performer in the title role than the last two stopovers (1996 and 1999).

But some things don't change. David Cryer, who plays Monsieur Firmin, one of the new owners of the Paris Opera House, has been with this touring company for 12 years. And Cryer, who has performed twice as a soloist with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, is looking forward to returning to Salt Lake City.

"The other two times had so much joy for us (as a company), and I hope the same thing happens this time," Cryer said during a telephone interview from Appleton, Wis., a town of 71,000 where "Phantom" was in the middle of a four-week engagement. "And that's just unheard of" for a community that small, Cryer said.

The touring troupe will be at the Capitol Theatre for a six-week run -- a total of 47 performances before the curtain rings down on closing night, July 11.

Besides his ongoing role as Firmin, who frequently intercepts notes from the mysterious Opera Ghost, Cryer has especially fond memories of performing during concerts with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir -- also in '96 and '99. At the first concert, Cryer sang "The Lord's Prayer" and an excerpt from Bernstein's "Mass." The next time, his performance was geared more toward Broadway, as he sang "There But for You Go I" from "Brigadoon" and "The Impossible Dream" from "Man of La Mancha."

"These are some of my most treasured memories," he said, noting that he managed to save videotapes of his choir performances for each of his six children.

Cryer has always played Monsieur Firmin in the production, although at one time he was told that he would eventually be playing the Phantom. But he hasn't yet, and "as the years go by, that's become a distant thing."

"But I'm happy with my part. Somebody has to play the old guy. I'm counting on the tour lasting at least three more years, so I can get Billy (his youngest son) out of college."

Several of Cryer's children have gone into the family business. One of his sons, Jon, co-stars with Charlie Sheen on the hit television series, "Two and a Half Men." "We were in Los Angeles for a nine-week run last fall, and I got to visit Jon working on his set," said Cryer. "Then he sneaked me onto the nearby set of 'The West Wing.' John Spencer, who plays the chief of staff, is a friend of Jon's, and he invited us over to see it. Spencer said he had been a fan of mine since seeing me in 'The Fantasticks' (during a legendary 25-year run at the Sullivan Street Playhouse in New York City)."

If you go . . .

What: "The Phantom of the Opera"

Where: Capitol Theatre

When: Wednesday through July 11

How much: $30-$75

Phone: 355-3787 or 703-2068 (groups)

Web site: www.arttix.org

E-mail: ivan@desnews.com

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