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The role of Christine Daae in The Phantom of the Opera is a dream come true for Ana Marina, who grew up in Te Atatu in West Auckland.
But being cast as the young singer who becomes the target of the Phantom's crazed obsessions has not been easy, she says.
"It's pretty challenging emotionally and physically. There's a lot of expectation on me.
"I just have to look after myself. I don't drink a lot during the day, I don't talk and I usually don't go home till late so it's hard."
The musical, which opened at the Civic Theatre in Auckland on Tuesday for a limited season, has been touring Australia since July last year.
Directed by Harold Prince, The Phantom of the Opera - set in the Paris of the early 1900s - features 230 costumes and spectacular sets.
Marina - of Danish, Swedish and German-Samoan descent - refers to herself as a fruit salad and says she calls various places home.
"I am quite split - I was born here and I have a lot of family here, but it's the same in Australia."
With a voice to match her looks, the young soprano is a striking partner for Australian Anthony Warlow's Phantom.
* Phantom of the Opera is at the Civic Theatre until November 16.
