Broadway star Michael (The Phantom of the Opera) Crawford will open the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts' 1999-2000 season Aug. 13-14 with a concert engagement backed by an orchestra and featuring the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Broadway hits, popular songs, inspirationals and standards. Crawford's performances will mark the singer's first public appearance at the Cerritos Center. Last year, he taped his first TV special, "MIchael Crawford in Concert," at Cerritos. The show premiered nationwide on PBS as part of its March 1998 pledge drive.

After starring in London, New York and Los Angeles in Phantom for nearly four years, Crawford has busied himself with concert engagements, record dates, TV and special guest appearances. Born in England, Crawford began his career as a boy soprano in Benjamin Britten's Let's Make an Opera. In the 60s he was featured in numerous films, returning to the stage in such musicals as Billy and Barnum. In 1986, he opened in Phantom, which not only became a hit show but a hit CD, topping sales of 12 million worldwide. The album was the first in British musical history to enter the charts at number one and is now certified RIAA quadruple platinum in the United States.

Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts is located at 12700 Center Court Drive. For tickets call (800) 300-4345 or (562) 916-8500, or fax (562) 916-8514.