General News
19 September, 2025
Local kicks off national tour
A set of live shows celebrating the talent of Michael Crawford has launched in Victoria, led by Maryborough local Keith McNamara, before he embarks on a nationwide tour.
When Mr McNamara boarded a bus for a Highview College excursion in the early 90s, he had no idea that encounter would land him on his current tour.
“A Highview College bus trip to see the original production of Phantom of the Opera in 1991 sparked my passion for singing. I found my voice singing along with Michael Crawford on the original cast recording,” he said.
“I went on to study musical theatre at the Victorian College of the Arts.”
Since then, he has performed over 20 stage musicals including Miss Saigon and Les Miserables.
But he has not forgotten his first encounter with Phantom of the Opera, and has launched a tribute to the songs performed by the musical’s main actor.
“We will tour the show through Victoria this year, then take it around the country in 2026. This is the show I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid,” Mr McNamara said.
“Michael Crawford was my first musical hero, and I can’t wait to honour his career and share his music.”
The locally produced matinee concert tour is a celebration of Michael Crawford’s hit stage musicals and multi-platinum recordings featuring The Music of Night, Phantom of the Opera and more.
Backed by a talented group of classical musicians, he will now be capturing the power, passion and tone of Michael Crawford’s iconic performances taking the audience on a heartfelt journey through the remarkable career of one of the world’s most iconic musical theatre stars.
For fans of Andrew Lloyd Webber and the West End musicals, the two hour show revisits a wide range of these discographies.
Mr McNamara said he is looking forward to returning to the stage after a hiatus raising his young family, but has not forgotten his love for performing.
“I took several years off from stage work to raise my children, but never stopped singing and exploring my voice. After singing along to some Michael Crawford records, it surprised me how much I actually sound like him, and the idea for this tribute tour was born,” he said.
Phantom: a tribute to Michael Crawford is coming to Bendigo’s Capital Theatre on Saturday, October 4 at 2 pm.
The show will be on in Ballarat at the Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts on Sunday, October 12 at 2 pm.
The Advertiser is currently running a promotion giving away 10 double passes to the Bendigo performance, with giveaway details on Page 16 of today’s edition.