It's a New Age at Phantom in Sara Jean Ford's Calming Dressing Room

There’s a lovely new soprano at the Paris Opera House…er, the Majestic Theatre…as Sara Jean Ford settles into the starring role of Christine Daae in The Phantom of the Opera. A vet of the Phantom national tour, Ford most recently played Mrs. Anderson in the Broadway revival of A Little Night Music and has racked up an impressive resume since her Fresh Face-worthy NYC debut in The Fantasticks four years ago. Although the actress is still contemplating what color to paint her new backstage space, she’s already filling it with items that reflect her desire for a “grounded” vibe.

Photo by Jenny Anderson for Broadway.com



“My friend Sutton [Foster, Ford's co-star in Anyone Can Whistle] has these prayer cards that she uses whenever she’s in a long-running show, little phrases that give her something new to think about every day. I loved that idea, so I bought this book [Reflections in the Light: Daily Thoughts and Affirmations]. I read them to Hugh [Panaro, who plays the Phantom] every night. We get together and light our incense. It’s a way to keep grounded and present.”


“This is the second Phantom of the Opera book I’ve read. The first one was a direct translation of Gaston Leroux’s French novel; it was just weird. This is more like a retelling of the story, and it’s actually a really good book. I highly recommend it! I’ve underlined stuff, and if I ever lose my way it’s good to come back to it.”


“My stereo system is very important. I don’t know if I drive my dresser and my wig guy crazy, but I have to have music around me all the time. Right now, I’m having some jazz. Sometimes I have New Age, and sometimes I bust out John Denver classics. Nothing to get me into character—the show is so dark, I want everything here to be bright and happy.”


“I call this my ‘vision board,’ but it’s just a reason to craft! There’s a picture of me and my husband [actor Drew Gehling]—we got married last year—and my little brother. It has phrases and [pictures of] places we’ve been, like Yosemite and the Blue Ridge Mountains. I wanted something visual to keep me positive and grounded.”


“This is my Himalayan salt crystal rock light. It is salt, because I have licked it! It’s supposed to clear the air of negative ions, or something like that, but really it’s just a pretty light that warms up the room. Between shows, when I turn off the other lights, I have a lovely little light that makes me happy.”