Critc Review of Broadway Phantom of the Opera
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A CurtainUp Review
Phantom of the Opera
The mask remains even equally the men hiding behind it change, along with the lady who is the subject of the mysterious phantom's obsession. Michael Crawford originated the role to much acclaim. Ron Bohmer, currently in a quite dissimilar disguise as the Scarlet Pimpernel had a successful tenure in the office. The most recent actor to don the mask, Howard McGillin, imbues the homo whose scarred face up rules his destiny with touching pathos..
The question that arises almost a show that has passed its showtime decade to become a fixture on the must-meet tourist horizon, is whether the overall quality on a par with the original. Is the show seen by today's audiences fresh and crisp or a warmed-upwards edition of the original? The answer is yes on the first count and no on the second. Anyone who is non enlightened of Phantom's longevity, could easily error it for a show that opened within the last 12 months rather than every bit many years ago. Staging, the orchestra, the performances -- all excellent and enthusiastic, fresh as bread from a hot oven. Who could ask for anything more?
Well, as far every bit the audiences who fill up the Purple dark after nighttime, nothing at all! Even the traditionally dull Tuesday at which I recently saw the show, there was nary an empty seat in sight. "Fabulous" is the adjective of pick one hears at the break.
For those of a more than critical mind ready will now, as ten years ago, wish for less reliance on the famous chandelier and other theatrical pyrotechnics as well as some rationing of the syrup and reprises of the more than memorable numbers. Only then, who'due south to diddle with success? Instead of weeping of bygone musical greats, why not accept Phantom on its own terms -- every bit an piece of cake to relish, visually take-your-breath-away amusement on the grandest of grand scales. Rogers and Hammerstein would hardly have been attracted to Gaston Leroux's gothic romance. Sir Andrew's soaring poperatic musical sensibility on the other hand is a perfectly suited to the story of the scar-faced, masked man who haunts the Paris Opera House until he falls in love with Miss Christine Daae and becomes her "Angel of Music."
As diverse actors have donned the Phantom's mask so the other leading players and the ensemble take changed over the years, oft rotating with players in the various road companies, the exception existence Leila Martin who still holds sway as the mysteriously forbidding Madame Giry. Gary Mauer brings the required dashing good looks to the role of the Phantom's rival, Raoul. The current Christine (Adrienne McEwan -- Sarah Pfeisterer spells McEwan on Wed matinee and Thursday evenings) and Carlotta (Liz McCartney) ably make full the shoes of their predecessors and accept strong enough voices to bring off one's fantasy that Lloyd Weber would add a few of Verdi's magnificent arias to his mock Aida. Even though the popular score prevails, the opera within an opera plot is great fun.
Praise though this and no doubt previous casts deserve, the stars whose vision haunt The Phantom of the Opera are the production designer Marla B. Bjornson and managing director Harold Prince. The chandelier is only one office of their-annihilation-is-possible-when-we-brand-theater vision. There'southward the auction scene that leads to that chandelier's gasp-causing descent, the Ziegfeld-like g staircase that makes the bandage await fifty-fifty larger than it is, the watery labyrinth of the Phantom's lair. It's all as grand every bit any ballet or opera production.
To sum up, as Laroux'south horror tale and Lloyd Webber's popera make for the ideal union of ii kitsch masters, so Bjorson and Prince accept proved themselves the dream team of theater magicians to provide the appropriate smoke and mirror glitz to make information technology, if not the best musical of the last decade, ane of the almost successful ones.
Should you bring the kids? While I saw some seven to 10 twelvemonth olds in the audition and this is not nearly as scary every bit some of the stuff being shown on the big and lilliputian screen, I'd stick to the 12 and upward recommendation in our Broadway accost book.
Music past Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics by Charles Hart
Additional Lyrics by Richard Stilgoe
Book by Richard Stilgoe and Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on the novel by Gaston Leroux
Directed by Harold Prince
Musical Staging and Choreography by Gillian Lynne
Production blueprint: Maria Björnson
Lighting Blueprint: Andrew Bridge
Sound Design: Martin Levan
Musical Supervision and Direction: David Caddick
Musical Director: David Lai
Orchestrations: David Cullen, Andrew Lloyd Webber
Current Broadway Bandage
The Phantom of the Opera/ Howard McGillin
Christine Daae/ Adrienne McEwan (Sarah Pfisterier at Midweek Mat and Thurs.Eve performances)
Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny/Gary Mauer
Monsieur Andre/ Jeff Keller
Monsieur Firmin George Lee Andrews
Carlotta Giudicelli/ Liz McCartney Madame Giry/ Leila Martin
Ubaldo Piangi/ Larry Wayne Morbitt Meg Giry/ Geralyn Del Corso Monsier Reyer-Hairdresser/Richard Poole Auctioneer/Richard Warren Pugh Jeweler/David Gaschen Monsier Lefevre-firechief/Kenneth H. Waller Joseph Buquet/Joe Gustern Slave Master/Paul B. Sadler Jr. Don Attilio/Passarino/John Kuether Solo Dancer/Richard Toda Spanish Lady/Wren Marie Harrington Porter-Firewoman/Maurizio Carbini Wardrobe Mistress/Confidante/ Mary Leigh Stahl Page/Leslie Giammanco Princess (Hannibal)Elizabeth Southard Madame Firmin/Melody Johnson Innkeeper's Wife/Johanna Wiseman Marksman/ John Schroeder Ballet Chorus/Emily Addona, Marisa Cerveris, Teresa Derose, Elizabeth Nackley, Lori MacPhersonChristine Spizzo, Kate Wray Ballet Swing/Susanna Gladstone Swings/Michael Gerhrhart, James Romick, Susan Russell,Jim Weitzer
Majestic, 247 Due west. 44th St. (Broadway/8th Av), 239-6200 Running fourth dimension: 2 one/2 including 1 intermission
Performances since Jan 26, 1988
Reviewed by Elyse Sommer based on 9/28/99 performance
| Musical Numbers | |
| Act Ane
| Human action Two |
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Source: http://www.curtainup.com/phantom.html
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