From May 13 to the 24, Phantom of the Opera is live at Paramount Theatre. The musical, composed by Andrew Llyod Webber, tells the story of a physically deformed musical genius living within the basement of an opera house. It’s based on the 1910 novel by Gaston Leroux and has taken the stage for over 35 years.
This past weekend, I attended one of the cast’s one o’clock shows at Paramount. Going in as a fan but only having seen the movie, I was intrigued to how they would portray certain scenes on stage with no editing or movie magic. They nailed everything about the set, and I couldn’t believe the optical illusions or speedrun quick changes they created. Throughout the whole performance I was in awe of just how beautiful everything looked. I couldn’t list all the things I sat through and thought “how on earth did they make it look like that?”
Not only the set, but the costumes were amazing. They were pretty accurate to all the Broadway outfits I have seen through photos or video clips. They were a mix of the classic gothic feeling you get from the play, with the extravagance of the Opera house.
The Actors and Actresses all blew me away, Christine Daae’s actress didn’t miss one note and her voice was so strong throughout the whole musical. Raoul’s actor being similar, and their song All I ask of You brought out many tears. However, I was a bit let down by the actor playing Phantom. While he was incredibly talented, next to the other two leads, his voice was lesser. The strength of voice that the Phantom’s role needs is hard to come by, so I understand why that role was the most disappointing for me but anytime multiple singers would have parts at the same time, his voice was drowned out and It didn’t pop how I’ve heard it pop in other soundtracks.
Another downside was that all the big conflicts rushed to me. The chandelier drop being number one. I know they couldn’t have done anything close to what Hollywood has done with the chandelier drop; it wasn’tthe effect of this that was a letdown to me. When it happened, it was right before intermission and I feel like as soon as it started, the lights were back on in the theatre, and I didn’t even process it had just happened. It was so cool, but so rushed. As many other moments in the play as well, the grave scene conflict between Raoul and Phantom, the hanging, even little conflict like Prima Donna seemed rushed.
Big picture wise, everything was phenomenal, and I am so grateful I got to see the show, but I just wished they focused evenly on the chaos as they did on the emotional events of the musical. Because each areimportant to the story.