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Phantom Of The Opera Lead Makes History On Stage

CHICAGO (CBS) -- For Derrick Davis, playing the iconic role of "The Phantom" is the biggest gig of his career.

"Oh My God, it is the highlight thus far."

He's also the first African American to play the lead on tour, something he takes pretty seriously. WBBM's Lisa Fielding reports.

"It's a huge responsibility. Not that anyone is waiting for anyone of color to fail, but they are watching with eager anticipation of a great success, so I hope to be that success," Davis said. "To play this role is a dream. It's overwhelming sometimes to think about, not only to be an actor, to be able to step into these iconic shoes, but also to be a performer of color. To this point, nothing matches this experience."

Davis grew up in New York and the first musical he ever saw was "The Phantom of the Opera."

"My parents took me when I was about 11 and I fell in love with the theater," he said.

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Derrick Davis (Credit: WBBBM/Lisa Fielding)

And when he donned the mask for the first time?

"When I first put it on, the very, very first time, it felt foreign and it felt like something was on my face," Davis said. "Oddly enough now, I don't feel comfortable until it's on my face. It transforms me. It helps me feel the character hiding part of himself being behind something."

Andrew Lloyd Webber's show opened on Broadway on January 26, 1988. Now the longest running show in Broadway history, Davis said the story transcends generations.

"The story is so simple and relatable. We've all experienced unrequited love, everyone has tried to be a success and then had somebody sneak in and take it away," Davis said. "Everybody has fought for love. There's something to be found in every character. It's a cathartic experience. The audience walks away feeling lighter."

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Phantom of the Opera, Derrick Davis and Katie Travis (Credit: Broadway in Chicago/Matthew Murphy)

He said the 2016 version is bigger and better.

"The score, the beautiful music, and the costumes, the technology, the spectacle, the pyrotechnics, the explosions and the fire. It's everything you'd want from an action, love, drama story," Davis said. "It's just everything."

Davis' first big role was Mufasa in "The Lion King". He's also appeared in "Dream Girls" on various TV shows and he even has his own Christmas album.

"The Phantom of the Opera" is performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making this one of the largest productions on tour in North America. The show runs through January 8th at the Cadillac Palace.

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