Patricia Hurd (2nd national tour, current and 1993) A soprano from Chicago, returns to the cast of The Phantom of the Opera after a brief hiatus to concertize in London, Chicago and elsewhere, and to recharge her batteries. Her first incarnation as diva Carlotta encompassed 2,000 performances and brought her praise from critics around the country for the humor of her portrayal and the beauty of her voice. Said the Chicago Tribune, "Patricia Hurd is both very funny and very well vocally equipped for the role of the prima donna,"while the Boston Globe pronounced her "A clear-voiced knockout." A graduate of Northwestern University, with an operatic focus, Patricia has performed at Britain's Aldeburgh Festival, with Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and other companies; Phantom is her first foray into musical theatre. After years of carefully studying the rituals and customs of divas in their native habitats, Patricia feels exceptionally well qualified to interpret this exotic culture for the audiences of The Phantom of the Opera.