Imagine returning to the very stage where your dreams first took flight, but this time, you’re not the wide-eyed teenager—you’re a seasoned performer, revisiting the story that shaped your career. For Alyssa Giannetti, a Bloomfield Hills native, the latest production of ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ is more than a show—it’s a full-circle moment that bridges her past and present in the most magical way.
But here’s where it gets even more fascinating: Giannetti’s journey with ‘Phantom’ began long before this tour. As a junior at Andover High School, she starred in a school production of the musical, performing at the very same Detroit Opera House where the current tour is now staged. And this is the part most people miss—during her senior year, she returned to that iconic venue with her high school choir, unknowingly planting the seeds for a future she couldn’t yet imagine. Her first national tour after graduating from Northwestern University? The cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Love Never Dies,’ the sequel to ‘Phantom,’ which played at Detroit’s Fisher Theatre in 2017.
‘Being back with the original ‘Phantom’ feels like coming home, but in a completely new way,’ Giannetti, now 31, shares over the phone from the tour’s Chicago stop. ‘When I joined ‘Love Never Dies,’ it was my first professional contract—I was just starting out. Now, I’ve built a career, honed my craft, and learned so much about stage presence, partnership, and what it means to truly embody a role. It’s surreal to return to where it all began, but with so much more experience under my belt.’
And this is the part that sparks debate: Does revisiting a role you’ve played before make it easier, or does it add pressure to outdo your past self? Giannetti, who understudies the female lead Christine Daae (as she did in ‘Love Never Dies’), sees it as an opportunity to reconnect with the character’s journey in a deeper way. ‘I feel like I’m aging backward 10 years,’ she jokes, ‘but watching Christine find her voice, her desires, and her strength—it’s a story that resonates even more now. Her growth mirrors my own in so many ways, and that connection informs how I approach the role today.’
Giannetti’s path to musical theater wasn’t exactly traditional. Raised by theater-loving parents, she memorized ‘Les Misérables’ before ever seeing it live and took piano lessons, but she considers herself ‘a late starter.’ It wasn’t until she auditioned for ‘Phantom’ at Andover High School—and landed the lead role of Christine Daae—that her passion ignited. ‘The lead usually goes to a senior, so I never expected it,’ she recalls. ‘My voice teacher practically had a heart attack when I told her I got the part. She said, ‘Do you realize what this means?’ It was a crash course in opera, but I fell in love with it. By that summer, I knew performing was my future.’
After studying opera at Northwestern and touring with ‘Love Never Dies,’ Giannetti has built a diverse career, from performing in ‘Unmasked’ at the Paper Mill Playhouse to ‘Into the Woods’ in Pittsburgh and ‘Mary Poppins’ in St. Louis. She’s even started a ‘side hustle’ as a makeup artist, working on everything from theater productions to weddings. ‘It’s a creative outlet that complements my performing schedule,’ she explains. ‘It’s all about staying connected to art in every way I can.’
Being part of the ‘Phantom’ legacy—a show with seven Tony Awards and over 160 million viewers worldwide—is undeniably a career highlight. ‘This tour is as close to the Broadway production as you can get,’ Giannetti says. ‘Everything is grand, from the sets to the performances. There’s a beautiful balance of honoring the original while bringing fresh energy. Some cast members have been with ‘Phantom’ for years, while others are new to it, and that mix creates something truly special.’
But here’s the question that lingers: Can a show as iconic as ‘Phantom’ ever truly be ‘new,’ or is its magic in its timelessness? As Giannetti continues her journey with this legendary musical, one thing is clear: for her, and for audiences, the story of the Phantom and Christine Daae remains as captivating as ever.
‘The Phantom of the Opera’ will grace the Detroit Opera House stage from February 4th to 15th, with a special Open Caption performance on February 8th at 6:30 p.m. Don’t miss your chance to witness this timeless tale—and Giannetti’s full-circle moment—live. For tickets, visit broadwayindetroit.com or call 313-872-1000. Now, tell us: What’s your favorite memory of ‘Phantom,’ and do you think some stories are too iconic to ever be reinvented? Let’s discuss in the comments!
