Broadway.com: Phantom of the Opera's John Riddle played Carlotta in his bedroom, now he's Raoul on Broadway
The UC alum has been singing Andrew Lloyd Webber’s songs of love and loss for 25 years
University of Cincinnati alumnus John Riddle, who currently stars as Raoul in Broadway's "The Phantom of the Opera," has been singing Andrew Lloyd Webber’s songs of love and loss for 25 years. "Phantom" was the first show he ever saw, he told Broadway.com.
Riddle knew nothing about musicals until his father brought him to see "The Phantom of the Opera" in Toronto when he was five years old.
“I sat there the whole entire time at the edge of my seat, didn’t say a word,” he said. “I was wearing a tuxedo, too, 'cause that was back in the day when you would dress up to the theater. And I sat there, and I turned to [my father] after the show, and I said ‘I want to be an actor.’ ”
Riddle studied musical theater at UC's College-Conservatory of Music. He then joined the 2013 national tour of "Evita," was cast in the 2014 Kennedy Center production of "Little Dancer "and made his Broadway debut as Young Anton in the 2015 Broadway production of Kander and Ebb’s "The Visit." Riddle also originated the role of Hans in "Frozen" and joined "The Phantom of the Opera" in September.
Related Stories
CCM welcomes Hiram Diaz as Visiting Artist of Euphonium
June 25, 2026
UC College-Conservatory of Music Dean Pete Jutras has announced the appointment of Hiram Diaz as CCM's Visiting Artist of Euphonium for 2026-27. A CCM alumnus (BM Euphonium Performance, 2007), Diaz's visiting appointment begins this fall.
CCM welcomes Ben Nicholson as Assistant Professor of Immersive Media and Live Events
June 24, 2026
UC College-Conservatory of Music Dean Pete Jutras has announced the appointment of Benjamin Nicholson as CCM's new Assistant Professor of Immersive Media and Visuals for Live Events. A CCM alumnus (MFA Lighting Design & Technology, 2025), Nicholson's faculty appointment officially begins on Aug. 15, 2026, and he will work with college leadership to develop classes, content and programming in Live and Immersive Media at CCM. Nicholson's position is a joint appointment shared by CCM's Divisions of Media Production and Theatre Arts, Production and Arts Administration, and he will teach classes for both areas of the college.
CCM grad Charles Peck wins Summermusik’s composition competition
June 22, 2026
CCM alumnus Charles Peck (MM Composition, 2012) was recently named the winner of the 2026 Kreitler Commission Competition. The competition, which is open to composers of any nationality and age, is organized by Summermusik with resident ensemble Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra in partnership with Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh, Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle in North Carolina and Reno Chamber Orchestra.