Anthony Crivello "Phantom" star gained acclaim for work in "Kiss of the Spider Woman" Brent Barrett Performer has worked before with original "Phantom" director Hal Prince

Two Phantoms will haunt The Venetian's new opera house when "Phantom -- The Las Vegas Spectacular" opens in previews on June 4.

The iconic mask will be worn by Anthony Crivello, a 1993 Tony Award winner for "Kiss of the Spider Woman," and by Broadway and concert performer Brent Barrett, who co-starred with Reba McEntire in the Broadway revival of "Annie Get Your Gun."

"There are a lot of big shoes to fill coming into this, but it's the kind of role I think is open to a lot of interpretation," Barrett said by telephone from New York on Wednesday. "I've never shared anything like this before, and I doubt if Anthony has, either. ... I'll be taking the makeup off when he's putting it on."

Crivello was unavailable for comment.

Ticket sales for the relaunched version of the Broadway blockbuster "The Phantom of the Opera" begin April 9, with prices averaging $119.50.

The production designates June 24 for its gala opening night but doesn't discount tickets for performances designated as previews. The highest-priced ticket is $157 for the "golden circle" and the lowest is $82 for the last three rows of the balcony. Other seats go for $107 and $132.

Three principal roles -- the Phantom, Christine and Carlotta -- will be double-cast because of the scheduled 10 shows per week, with early shows at 7 and late shows at 10 p.m.

Christina, the budding soprano and object of the Phantom's dangerous affections, will be played by Elizabeth Loyacano, who recently was on Broadway in the latest Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, "The Woman in White," and by Sierra Boggess, who performed in regional productions of "Les Misérables" and "West Side Story."

Carlotta, the diva ousted when the Phantom coaches Christina to her full potential, will be played by Elena Jeanne Batman and Geena Jeffries, each of whom performed the role in other companies. Tim Martin Gleason moves over from the Broadway cast as Christina's true love Raoul.

The relaunched production, shortened to 95 minutes but with hi-tech special effects and a production design that encircles the audience, is billed on its official Web site (www.phantomlasvegas.com) as "Phantom -- The Las Vegas Spectacular."

The show's original director, Hal Prince, is overseeing the update.

The 17-year hit, which became Broadway's longest running show in January, never has had a "name" star billed above the title. The role was played most famously by Michael Crawford, but he was a character actor of nominal fame in England before putting on the mask.

"It's always been about 'Phantom.' It's not about anybody in the show," said Barrett, who worked for Prince in a 1997 revival of "Candide" and talked to the director about the Las Vegas show more than a year ago.

"Very few things happen in theater that you actually plan on," he said.

Neither Barrett nor Crivello have played the part before. "Maybe because they're doing a condensed version, they just wanted to start fresh. That's the only thing I can think of," Barrett said of Prince not offering the role to a previous "Phantom."