Mann behind the mask

“It seems like it’s been more than three years,” Mann said.

If it feels that way to Mann, it is understandable. The three years following his performance on “The Voice” have been a whirlwind of activity for the 32-year-old singer. During this span he released a studio album and an EP of Christmas songs, toured extensively, recorded two PBS specials — one of which was released as a live album — and recorded a duet with Mexican superstar Paty Cant. He also married his longtime girlfriend, actress Laura Mann (nee Perloe), in 2013.

Mann’s story, on the surface, looks like that of an overnight success. But this breakout was years in the making. After graduating from Vanderbilt University in 2004 with a degree in opera, the Wichita, Kan., native spent years singing in clubs and auditioning for record labels.

“For 10 years I was in and out of major record labels,” Mann said.

Mann made his a living off of session work, and even landed a small role as a member of fictional vocal group the Warblers on “Glee.”

His appearance on “The Voice,” however, was the catalyst for his recent explosion of activity.

“"The Voice" was a wonderful platform for me,” Mann said.

After the flurry of performances and recordings following “The Voice,” Mann went looking for a new challenge.

“When the last tour finished, I called my agent about being on stage

in a different way,” Mann said. “I even mentioned that I would love to do ‘Phantom’ if it were ever available.”

As luck would have it, a new North American touring production of “The Phantom of the Opera” began auditioning singers shortly after. Mann landed the part and began to get his voice ready for the rigors of Broadwaystyle singing.

“I love that I’m getting to use my full instrument again,” Mann said.

“It’s a full-throttle experience.”

In addition to the usual challenges of Broadway productions, Mann is tasked with portraying one of the most famous musical characters in one of Broadway’s most well-known musicals.

“It’s a double-edged sword,” Mann said. “People have come to expect certain things. The bar is set very high.”

This production features a grueling schedule, including eight performances a week and over 400 performances over the course of the tour. Mann said he models his work ethic after his “The Voice,” mentor, Christina Aguilara. Mann admired her dedication to singing, even through rehearsals and walkthroughs.

“She was always on 100 percent,” Mann said. “I was impressed by that.”

“The Phantom of the Opera”

April 1-12 7:30 P.M. Tuesday- Thursday; 8 P.M. Friday; 2 P.M. & 8 P.M. Saturday; 1 P.M. & 6:30 P.M.

Sunday Wharton Center 750 E. Shaw Lane, East Lansing (517) 432-2000, whartoncenter.com

SATURDAY, APRIL 4 >> DOGGIE EASTER EGG HUNT

The furry members of your household will finally have an opportunity to join in on the Easter festivities with the inaugural Doggie Easter Egg Hunt. There will be tons of activities that your pooch and entire family can join in on, including dog agility equipment, giveaways and a chance to meet adoptable dogs who need a home. Photographer Cheryl Baase of Express Yourself Photography will be on hand to take photos of your dog with the Easter Bunny for a $5 donation to the Ingham County Animal Shelter Fund. There will also be a “kids-only” egg hunt from 2-3 p.m., and the doggie hunt will be 3-4 p.m. All proceeds from the event benefit the Ingham County Animal Shelter Fund. 2-4 p.m. $12 per family, $5 for each additional dog. Hawk Island County Park, 1601 E. Cavanaugh Road, Lansing. (517) 974-2638.

TUESDAY, APRIL 7 >> MERIDIAN GARDEN CLUB OPENING RECEPTION

The Okemos Library welcomes the Meridian Garden Club and its new art exhibit of pressed flowers. The exhibit will feature 52 pieces featuring pressed flowers, photography and table arrangements. All the flowers featured in the pieces were honored at the recent Lansing Home & Garden Show. The artists will be on hand at the reception to greet guests, and light refreshments will be served. A closing reception on April 28 will feature a program that will teach you how to create your own pressed flower artwork. 7 p.m. FREE. Okemos Library, 4321 Okemos Road, Okemos. (517) 347-2021, cadl.org.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8 >> CONVERSATIONS AT THE TABLE: AN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE AT THE BROAD

MSU Department of Art, Art History and Design faculty member Paul Kotula unlocks the secret histories found in tableware through the Broad Museum’s new exhibit, “Conversations At the Table: An American Experience.” “Conversations” takes an intimate look at objects found at the dinner table, spanning from the early 20th century to the present, and illustrates how such items contain a surprising amount of information about the era they come from. Kotula, who guest curates the exhibit, will be on hand to discuss the pieces that are on display. 3:30 p.m. FREE. Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, 547 E. Circle Drive, East Lansing. broadmuseum.msu.edu.