Norm Lewis Honors Sierra Boggess On Her Birthday
Veteran performer posts throwback photo and heartfelt tribute to Phantom co-star’s big day
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Norm Lewis’s Instagram Tribute
Broadway veteran Norm Lewis took to his Instagram account on Wednesday to celebrate Sierra Boggess’s birthday with a sweet throwback. The Tony and Emmy nominee posted a photo of himself alongside Boggess, writing, “Happiest birthday to the one and only @officialsierraboggess! It’s been an honor to be a part of your world! 🧜🏿♂️🧜🏻♀️ Love, your forever phantom father! 🥀🎭🎶.”
In his caption, Lewis referred to himself as Boggess’s “phantom father,” a nod to their time together on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s long-running Phantom of the Opera. The affectionate message earned thousands of likes within hours, with fans chiming in to praise their on-stage chemistry.
Phantom Of The Opera Reunion
Sierra Boggess first earned acclaim as Christine Daaé in the 2019 Broadway revival of Phantom of the Opera, while Norm Lewis made history as the first African American to star in the title role on Broadway. Their partnership on stage marked a milestone for diversity in musical theater, with Lewis’s baritone and Boggess’s crystalline soprano drawing rave reviews from critics and audiences alike.
Since closing in 2023, both performers have maintained busy schedules. Boggess has appeared in staged concerts and international productions of musicals such as The Little Mermaid in Germany, while Lewis has kept his baritone in top form, taking on a variety of stage and screen roles over the past five years.
Current And Upcoming Projects
Lewis is far from idle. In early May, he announced on Instagram that he will star in The Muny’s 2025 summer production of La Cage aux Folles. The production runs August 8–14 in St. Louis’s outdoor amphitheater and marks the show’s first Muny staging in nearly four decades. “I’m thrilled to take on the role of Georges in this hilarious musical comedy,” Lewis wrote alongside a rehearsal snapshot.
Meanwhile, New York theatergoers can catch him Off-Broadway in Ceremonies in Dark Old Men, a revival of Lonne Elder III’s classic drama set in 1950s Harlem. Running through May 18 at Theatre at St. Clements, the limited engagement features Lewis in a multi-layered role that Variety called “riveting” during its press opening. He shared ticket giveaway details on his Instagram, encouraging fans to enter for a chance to attend.
Norm Lewis’s career spans more than three decades, from his early days as a swing in The Little Mermaid to starring roles on Broadway and beyond. A graduate of Howard University, he has appeared on television series such as Madam Secretary and Smash, and lent his voice to animated projects. His history-making turn as the Phantom cemented his status as one of musical theater’s leading baritones.
With the Instagram birthday shoutout to Sierra Boggess, Lewis reminded fans of one of Broadway’s most memorable partnerships—and previewed the new theatrical chapters ahead. Their bond, forged in one of theater’s grandest spectacles, clearly remains strong offstage as well.
Whether revisiting the Phantom’s shadowy corridors or embracing new comedic heights in La Cage aux Folles, Norm Lewis continues to prove why he’s a fixture of both Broadway and regional theater.
Fans who enjoyed the birthday tribute can follow both performers on social media for updates, and theater enthusiasts can secure tickets now for the Muny’s La Cage aux Folles or Off-Broadway’s Ceremonies in Dark Old Men. The celebration of Boggess’s big day is just one more reminder of the lasting connections forged under the spotlight—and the stories still waiting to be told.
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