A gold- and platinum-selling artist in his native U.K., singer/actor Michael Ball began his career by appearing in West End productions of Les Miserables, Aspects of Love, and Phantom of the Opera before recording albums of show tunes and standards such as Movies and Musicals. 2000's The Very Best of Michael Ball: In Concert at the Royal Albert Hall was his U.S. debut. The seasonal effort Christmas was released that year as well.