THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA by Carol Kaufman Segal

             

The Phantom of the Opera is a musical that first opened in London in 1986.  It opened on Broadway in 1988 winning the 1988 Olivier Award, the 1988 Tony Award for Best Musical, and Michael Crawford, as the Phantom, won the Olivier Award and the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.  The book was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Richard Stilgoe with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Charles Hart, with additional lyrics by Stilgoe. 

           

In association with the Really Useful Group, Cameron MacKintosh Presents the New Production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera at The Hollywood Pantages Theatre.  Though The Phantom has appeared in Los Angeles more times than I can recall (I have seen it at least four times), it still draws sell-out audiences who never tire of seeing it and those who have never had the opportunity of seeing it before.

           

The play first opens in 1911 at an auction of old props from the Paris Opera House, pieces with connections to, in past years, the Phantom of the Opera, as he was known then. This is followed by Act I which goes back in time to 1881, at the Paris Opera House where  Carlotta (Eva Ravares) is rehearsing for the Opera Company’s new managers, Monsieur Firman (David Benoit) and Monsieur Andre (Rob Lindley) when a huge piece of equipment falls  from above, nearly hitting her.  Some members whisper fearfully, “It’s the Phantom of the Opera”!

          

  Because she has lived for several years through past frightening incidents, Carlotta walks away from her role and is replaced by Christine Daae (Eva Tavares), a chorus girl who is recommended to the new owners by Madame Giry (Susan Moniz), the Opera ballet mistress.  Though they are leery about an unknown taking on the role that night, they have no choice unless they cancel a completely sold-out evening. When they audition Christine, she surprises them with her talent and relieves them of all their concern.  From then on, the rest of the story revolves around the Phantom (Derrick Davis) who, already obsessed with his music, becomes more so with the lovely Christine.

            

The entire production is extremely well cast with lovely voices by all. Something about this production gave it a different look to me than any other production I had seen, and particularly the interesting use of areas where we would find the Phantom or how to get to his hideaway.  Perhaps it was the more colorful costumes.  Whatever, it was, I still thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.  Set design by Paul Brown, costume design by Maria Bjornson, choreogrpahy by Scott Ambler, and directed by Laurence Connor all add up to a very pleasing show that, obviously, was enjoyed by the full opening night audience.        

           

Phantom of the Opera continues Tuesday, June 11 and Wednesday, June 12 at 8 PM, Thursday, June 13 at 2 PM and 8 PM, Friday, June 14 at 8 PM, Saturday, June 15 at 2 PM and 8 PM, Sunday, June 16 at 1 PM and 6:30 PM.  After that date, it will play Tuesdays through Fridays at 8 PM, Saturdays at 2 PM and 8 PM, and Sundays at 1 PM and 6:30 PM through July 7, at the Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles.  However, on its final day, Sunday, July 7, it will only play at 1 PM.  Tickets are available by phone at (800) 982-2782, or online at www.hollywoodpantages.com, or at the Theatre Box Office.

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