Michael Ball

One of the shining lights of musical theatre is the British performer, Michael Ball. He has a rich and powerful baritone voice, which has enhanced many productions over the years. He was born in 1962 and graduated from drama school, getting his big break in Les Miserables as Marius. This was followed by playing Raoul in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera.

He would work with Lloyd Webber again in London and Broadway productions of Aspects of Love in the role of Alex. This also led to a number one hit in the UK charts, when he released a single from the show, titled Love Changes Everything. In 2002, he took the part of Caractacus Potts in a stage version of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Michael Ball replaced Michael Crawford in the musical of The Woman In White in 2005, when Crawford, who was playing Count Fosco fell ill.

In addition to stage musicals, he is very much in demand as a concert performer and tours the UK, Australia and America. He has also done a one-man show, called Alone Together. In these shows, he goes through his repertoire of hits from the musicals, the Lloyd Webber productions being the most popular. His successful working relationship with the famed songwriter was recognized when he was invited to sing at the big bash for Andrew Lloyd Webber's 50th birthday party in 1998.

Apart from the one top selling single, the others have not sold as well but all his albums have gone gold and his songs from the movies release achieved platinum sales. In 1992, Michael Ball was selected to represent the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest. His song, One Step Out of Time was voted in at second place.

Hs career has also included presenting radio shows, playing his favorite music and presenting TV shows such as The National Lottery. His good looks and charm have made him a sought after TV celebrity.

Musical theatre will probably never go out of style and will no doubt be the mainstay of his career in the future. His natural vocal talent does not therefore rely on any passing fashion for success. Michael Ball is also fond of new challenges, as shown in 2005 when he debuted with the prestigious New York City Opera in a new production of Gilbert and Sullivan's Patience. The theatre is a hard taskmaster and Ball is deservedly reaping the rewards of many years' hard work.

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