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, ready to reclaim your place in the spotlight. For Alyssa Giannetti, a Bloomfield Hills native, the return of ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ to the Detroit Opera House is more than just a performance—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 this iconic musical began long before this tour. As a junior at Andover High School, she starred in a school production of ‘Phantom,’ and by her senior year, she was performing at the very same Detroit Opera House with her high school choir. Fast forward to her first national tour after graduating from Northwestern University, and she found herself in the cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Phantom’ sequel, ‘Love Never Dies,’ which graced the Fisher Theatre in 2017. Now, at 31, she’s back with the original ‘Phantom,’ reflecting on how far she’s come.
‘It’s a completely different time in my life,’ Giannetti shares from her tour stop in Chicago. ‘Back then, ‘Love Never Dies’ was my first professional contract. Now, I’ve built a career, honed my craft, and learned so much about stage presence and partnership. Returning to the original ‘Phantom’ feels like a dream come true.’
And this is the part most people miss: Giannetti, who understudies the female lead Christine Daae—just as she did in ‘Love Never Dies’—finds deep meaning in revisiting the first chapter of this timeless story. ‘It’s like aging backwards 10 years,’ she jokes. ‘But watching Christine’s journey—how she finds her voice, her purpose, and her place in the world—it’s a connection that runs through both shows. It’s shaped how I approach this role now.’
Giannetti’s love for theater began early, thanks to her parents. ‘I had ‘Les Misérables’ memorized before I even saw it on stage,’ she recalls. Despite taking piano lessons and singing in the school choir, she considers herself a ‘late starter’ in musical theater, only diving in when she unexpectedly landed the role of Christine in her high school’s ‘Phantom’ production. ‘The lead usually goes to a senior, so I never saw it coming,’ she admits. ‘My voice teacher practically had a heart attack when I told her I got the part. It was a crash course in opera, but I knew this was what I wanted to pursue.’
But here’s the controversial part: Does starting late in musical theater really put you at a disadvantage? Giannetti’s story challenges that notion. By the summer after her high school production, she was already taking steps toward college programs, studying opera at Northwestern, and eventually touring with ‘Love Never Dies.’ Since then, she’s worked on productions like ‘Unmasked’ at the Paper Mill Playhouse, ‘Into the Woods’ with the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, and ‘Mary Poppins’ in St. Louis. She’s even started a ‘side hustle’ doing makeup for shows and weddings, blending her artistic passions with her performing career.
Being part of the ‘Phantom’ legacy—a show with seven Tony Awards and over 160 million viewers worldwide—is undeniably a highlight of Giannetti’s career. ‘This tour is as close to the Broadway production as you can get,’ she says. ‘Everything is grand, beautiful, and true to the original, but with fresh energy. Some cast members have a history with ‘Phantom,’ while others are new to it. It’s a perfect blend, and I’m honored to still be part of this world.’
As ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ takes the stage at the Detroit Opera House from February 4th to 15th, it’s not just a performance—it’s a testament to the power of dreams, perseverance, and coming full circle. A special Open Caption performance will be held on February 8th at 6:30 p.m. For tickets, call 313-872-1000 or visit broadwayindetroit.com.
Now, here’s a question for you: Do you believe in the idea of ‘late starters’ in the arts, or is it ever too late to pursue your passion? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation!
