While "Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular" was celebrating its first anniversary at the Venetian, Kristi Holden finished her first month with the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical.
Holden stepped into the role of Christine, replacing Sierra Boggess who left the production to star in the Broadway version of "The Little Mermaid."
Holden shares the part with Elizabeth Loyacano. Each performs in four shows per week.
The character Christine is a chorus girl who becomes the love interest of the Phantom and the driving force behind the drama that turns into tragedy.
Holden, a native of Colorado, is a rising star onstage. Her regional credits include "Mame," "The Sound of Music," "Brigadoon" and "Sweeney Todd."
On her role selection
I'm an ingenue by my physicality and vocal range. Sometimes ingenues aren't very complex to play. I like to play ingenues with a little bit more meat to them, which is what's so great about Christine because she is complex.
On Christine
It's a vocally challenging and physically challenging part. The character is a wonderful character to play. It's a dream come true. It's a musical with a lot of meat to it, so there's a lot of different emotional ranges that I have an opportunity to portray every night and I really love that.
On being cast
I was in the first round of auditions for the original company at the Venetian. Unfortunately I did not get the part that time around, but I believe everything happens for a reason. In retrospect last year would not have been a good time for me. This round worked out perfectly. I just happened to be in New York when they were here looking for Sierra's replacement. My agent got in touch with them to make sure I was in the round of auditions. I actually auditioned the very last day I was in New York, on a Friday. I left New York on Saturday and found out I got the part on Monday.
On being Christine
The creative team encourages every actor to bring their own personality and their own self to the character. They do give you a Point A and a Point B and a subtext to work with and there are specific points that they want you to do, but within that frame they give you, you put yourself into the character. So you do have some freedom to give part of yourself to the show. It's not a total cookie cutter production. Everyone has their own opinion about their character and they are very open in discussions on how both sides can reach the same idea or the same subtext. It has been a really rewarding experience because they give you that opportunity to bring yourself to the character.
On being a new cast member
I'm a very approachable and outgoing person. I could have let it intimidate me, but before starting the show I had the opportunity to meet the cast members and to form friendships before rehearsals started. I worked hard to get to know each cast member and by the time I opened I had a family encouraging me and helping me. The cast is a wonderful group of people, very loving. I'm very fortunate to be joining a cast full of such talented and beautiful souls.
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