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A Phantom Family Effort -
In 2002, Kris Koop, who plays Page in The Phantom of the Opera, launched the second edition of the show’s popular cookbook, enlisting the culinary cache of her cast-mates and friends in the publishing field. From an initial printing of 500, The Phantom Cooks, Part Deux has sold nearly 9,000 copies and raised more than $80,000 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. We recently chatted with Kris about her career, her long history with BC/EFA and the inspiration for all that good cookin’. Shining O’er the Shenandoah Valley As one of four sibs growing up in Davidsville, PA, it was Kris who followed her mother’s ambition to perform, starting with recitals at her local church, where she won a hymn-writing contest at age six. Although tempted by an offer to study Journalism at Penn State, when a scholarship to the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music appeared, it was Koop’s thespian mother who declared, with not a little authority, “Well, I’d say our choice is clear!” Peter Borzotta, BC/EFA’s Retail Outreach Manager, has known Kris since their days together at Shenandoah. “Kris and I did so many shows together when we were in school. I remember when she was a freshman, she was so beautiful and sang so sweetly, I thought she’d make the perfect Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls; and sure enough, three years later she was cast in the part.” From Broadway Cares to Broadway Bound After graduation, Kris found work almost immediately, performing nationwide before settling in Richmond, VA with a production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Her first gig in New York brought her non-Equity work in a production of Showboat at New Jersey’s Paper Mill Playhouse, which was taped for PBS. While enjoying her first production contract on a tour of Cats, Kris met her husband, Steve Ouellette – House Manager at the Neil Simon Theatre (home of BC/EFA’s Gypsy of the Year event). When Kris returned to New York, the couple settled in Queens. She also stayed in touch with Peter, who introduced her to Broadway Cares. “When I started working for BC/EFA, I needed a volunteer to help me during the holiday season with Christmas card orders,” says Borzotta. “Kris, gracious as always, offered to help even though she was juggling a paying job at the same time.” After years of giving BC/EFA her time, what Kris loves most about the organization is its thrift. “There is no money wasted. If you need a pen you have to ask to open up the supply closet to get it – unlike a lot of other offices where people get their Post-it notes and everything at work and take them home. The attitude is ‘We’re not doing that here because the money needs to go where the money needs to go.’ And I love that!” Kris eventually joined BC/EFA’s paid staff, fielding calls at our front desk. It was during this period that she got “The Call” from Phantom.“That was thrilling to have her find out while she was here, and knowing she was going into the show right after the New Year was a great Christmas gift for her,” adds Borzotta. For Kris, it was an opportunity to pay it forward. “When I booked Phantom, I donated my salary back to BC – because I could! I was very lucky.” The Phantom Cooks, Part Deux Building on the success of the first Phantom cookbook, Kris personalized the second edition by gathering colorful histories and stories about the recipes from her Phan-team players ’ submissions. Her friend Ted Kim punched up the pages with fun graphics. Husband Steve pitched in with writing and production while Angie Finn ( Phantom’s dresser and attorney) was assistant editor. Featuring more than 100 recipes, this bestseller goes for only $10 in the lobby of the Majestic Theatre during collection periods and at BC/EFA’s webstore year round. Click here, to order The Phantom Cooks, Part Deux online today! Now Kris is gathering recipes for a Third Edition of The Phantom Cooks. See a preview of delicious dishes to come, including ocean stew from Jennifer Hope Wills (Christine Daae) and French toast from Kara Klein (Meg Giry). Kris’ hard work and creativity have helped Phantom – not only Broadway’s longest-running production but BC/EFA’s longest-collecting show – generate $3.1 million to date. Now, that’s a dish for success!
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By Jody O’Neil