My Review of The Phantom of the Opera.
I recall the first time I saw Phantom of the Opera. It was
the show’s second U.S. Tour, which happened to be the first time I ever went to
the theater. I was twelve, and it was at the 5th Avenue Theater in
downtown Seattle. It was
magical. Everything from the sets,
to the lights, costumes, and beautifully haunting music - The entire experience
was nothing less than enchanting.
At that point, I knew I was hooked! Thus began my love affair with the theater. I dreamed of the
day I could journey to New York City and get lost in the sights and sounds of
Broadway in Times Square.
Many years later, and nearly 100 shows later, I am a
self-admitted “Theater Junkie.” I suppose my passion for the performing arts is
also partly due to my mother introducing me to her entire collection of Rodgers
and Hammerstein on VHS at a very young age. While other kids were watching cartoons, playing video games
or outside riding bikes, we would put in musicals like Oklahoma!, The King and
I, and The Music Man. We would then act out our favorite scenes and dance
around the room on those typical rainy days in Seattle.
In viewing a very intimate online interview with the Phantom
of the Opera’s cast in New York, the young actress who plays Christine Daae’
lights up as she explains how touched she is when fans still wait for her at
the stage door to greet her after a performance. Many tell her this is their
first theater experience, much like Phantom was mine. I still truly believe
that The Phantom of the Opera is one of the most perfect shows to get your feet
wet with the theater, due to the plethora of reasons I have illustrated below.
Remembering the original production, I went into this new
tour with my eyes wide open, expecting some differences, as that was the word
on the press trail. I sat in my plush, red velvet seat, intensely waiting for
the show to begin. Then, as the first note of that hunting organ played the
theme, a sudden flood of nostalgia washed over me. Wrapped in memories from my youth, I loved the surprises
around every corner that marked this production as an unmistakable reproduction
of the original, with a fresh new perspective and personality of it’s own. Without going into too much detail, as
I don’t want to spoil this experience for future theater goers, Christine’s
character has been given more strength and free-will. She makes the conscience
decision to follow her “Angel of Music” to further her singing career, as opposed
to being hypnotized by his trance, and blindly following him into his lair. Any
woman can appreciate the new strength given to our heroine, which modernizes
this new production.
This new adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera is an invigorating
thrill for the senses! First, all
the sights including the new set design, costumes, choreography, and lighting
illuminates the mind. Next, the titillating lasting aroma of the larger-than-life
theatrical props, all-the-while feeling the emotions through the thespians portrayal
of these deep characters, including love, lust, fear, betrayal and pain. Last, and most captivating, the sounds
of the intense and chilling music seeps into the inner-most depths of your
soul.
The entire cast was absolutely amazing, from Katie Travis’
portrayal of Christine Daae’, to Storm Lineberger’s as Raoul, to Jacquelynne
Fontaine’s as “Prima Donna” Carlotta Giudicelli, and Phumzile Sojola’s as
Ubaldo Piangi!
That said, the “Angel of Music,” The Phantom, Chris Mann,
stole the show! As some remember,
Mann’s rise to stardom originated on NBC’s hit reality show The Voice four
years ago. Unbelievably, this is
Mann’s first ever casting in a Broadway production. His portrayal of the
Phantom is astounding, and nothing short of a stellar performance that mirrors
a well-seasoned professional. Not only is Mann’s singing phenomenal, but his
acting in this newly adapted show is beyond compare! Cheers to Mann and the
rest of the cast of Cameron Mackintosh’s spectacular new production of Andrew
Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera!
Brava! Brava! Bravissima!
This new, incredible production of the Phantom of the Opera
has a 10-day run in Jacksonville at the Times-Union Center, Moran Theater from
February 10–21, 2016.
Do not delay in seeing this show – Purchase tickets here.
