"The Phantom of the Opera" Restaged National Tour Review
As I am sure you already know, "The Phantom of the Opera" is a world wide phenomenon. It is the longest running show in Broadway history, it has been translated into 13 different languages, played in 30 different countries, has been seen by over 140 million people, and is probably one of the world's most successful musicals. It continues to run on Broadway, in the West End, on tour, and more. So it was only a matter of time before I saw it live, right?
While on a trip to Cleveland, I was able to catch the production that is currently on tour across North America and it was my first time seeing the show live and in person. This touring production is not the original Hal Prince staging, but the re-envisioned production by Laurence Connor. Meaning, that this is not the production that is currently running on Broadway or in the West End, although the original written material remains in tact. I wasn't sure what to expect going into this production, as I had heard lots of mixed to negative things about it, ranging from critics and to people I know. Personally, I loved it. Yes, it has some problems (which I will get into later), but overall it is an incredible production.
Taking on the role of The Phantom was Chris Mann, who you might know from NBC's "The Voice". Mann has a stunning voice and was simply amazing as The Phantom, playing the role with a certain type of humanity. However, Connor decided to play with the mysterious appeal that I do not like The Phantom to have. But, I will touch on that later.
At the performance I attended, the role of opera prodigy, Christine Daae, was played by understudy, Krista Buccellato. Buccatello has a very charming voice and brought a type of sweetness to the role that I have not seen before. Storm Lineberger was great in the role of Christine's main love interest, Raoul, but at times he seemed a bit condescending, which is a choice that I did not care for.
The cast was absolutely top notch. Jacqueline Fontaine was fantastic as the opera diva, Carlotta, and she made an excellent pair with Phumzile Sojola, who played the role of Ubaldo Piangi. The opera managers, played by David Benoit and Price Waldman were superb as well.
Laurence Connor's new direction is remarkable. I think that it is awesome how he was able to take something that has been done one way for such a long time and create a new and fresh staging. However, when re-envisonings like this happen, there are usually bound to be some problems. For example, I found the Overture to be quite lackluster. It is supposed to feel like the auction that takes place in the Prologue transforms into the opera house, but in this it just feels like they are pushing set pieces on. However compared to the one huge problem I have, the Overture is nothing. That problem is...the way Connor decides to portray the relationship between The Phantom and Christine. If for whatever strange reason, you do not know the story for "The Phantom of the Opera" or do not want spoilers for this new production, then stop reading here or skip to the next paragraph.
SPOILER
If you read my review of the sequel to "Phantom", "Love Never Dies", then you know that I cannot stand the thought of Christine and the Phantom being together. The Phantom is a murderer who stalks Christine and kills others for no particular reason. Ever since "Love Never Dies", they have been trying to push that The Phantom and Christine should be together by destroying the show's hero, Raoul, by turning him into this awful human being. In this production they don't really try to dehumanize Raoul, but he is a bit rough and like I said earlier, he can come off as very condescending. In fact, there is some added dialogue after "Twisted Every Way" where in Christine bursts out of the manager's office and yells at Raoul to leave her alone and that she thought he would protect her. Okay, now back to the other two leads. In the scenes between The Phantom and Christine, you can feel Connor pushing that he is on "Team Phantom". In "Music of the Night", The Phantom blindfolds Christine and it is very uncomfortable. But, the number "Point of No Return" is where the tension between The Phantom and Christine was high and I cringed in my seat. If you strongly dislike "Love Never Dies", then the staging of "The Point of No Return" in this production is unwatchable.
END OF SPOILER
Aside from those few scenes, I thought the rest of the rest of Connor's direction was great, perfect, you might even say. Numbers that stood out were the title song, which was spectacular and staged even better than the original (in my opinion), and the beautiful second act opener "Masquerade" was perfectly elegant. I really enjoyed the new staging, but there were certain scenes where I thought they could have used more of the stage and here are certain things that I thought they should have left the same as the original, but for the most part, the new staging wasn't bad.
The real star of the show is the incredible set by Paul Brown. The set was very massive and looked simply exquisite. It is very hard to believe that it tours. It is undoubtedly the best part of this production. Although Maria Bjornson's original set designs are not apart of this production, her costumes are and Bjornson's costume designs look as lavish as they do in photos.
This production of "The Phantom of the Opera" is absolutely worth seeing, especially if you haven't seen the show live before. It really is a spectacular production with sensational cast, breathtaking set, and of course the legendary chandelier. I look forward to seeing it again when it comes through El Paso this upcoming May.
CAMERON MACINTOSH'S SPECTACULAR NEW PRODUCTION OF
"THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA"
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics by Charles Hart
Additional Lyrics by Richard Stilgoe
Book by Richard Stilgoe and Andrew Lloyd Webber
New Production Directed by Laurence Connor
For tickets more information, visit: http://www.thephantomoftheopera.com/ustour/
As of October 2016, the current cast of "THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA" on tour consists of:
The Phantom- DERRICK DAVIS
Christine Daae- KATIE TRAVIS
Raoul, Victome de Chagney- JORDAN CRAIG
Carlotta-TRISTA MALDOVAN
Firmin- DAVID BENOIT
Andre- PRICE WALDMAN
Madame Giry- ANNE KANENGEISER
Ubaldo Piangi- PHUMZILE SOJOLA
Meg Giry-EMILY RAMERIZ
While on a trip to Cleveland, I was able to catch the production that is currently on tour across North America and it was my first time seeing the show live and in person. This touring production is not the original Hal Prince staging, but the re-envisioned production by Laurence Connor. Meaning, that this is not the production that is currently running on Broadway or in the West End, although the original written material remains in tact. I wasn't sure what to expect going into this production, as I had heard lots of mixed to negative things about it, ranging from critics and to people I know. Personally, I loved it. Yes, it has some problems (which I will get into later), but overall it is an incredible production.
Taking on the role of The Phantom was Chris Mann, who you might know from NBC's "The Voice". Mann has a stunning voice and was simply amazing as The Phantom, playing the role with a certain type of humanity. However, Connor decided to play with the mysterious appeal that I do not like The Phantom to have. But, I will touch on that later.
 |
| Chris Mann (The Phantom) and Katie Travis (Christine Daae) performing the title song. |
At the performance I attended, the role of opera prodigy, Christine Daae, was played by understudy, Krista Buccellato. Buccatello has a very charming voice and brought a type of sweetness to the role that I have not seen before. Storm Lineberger was great in the role of Christine's main love interest, Raoul, but at times he seemed a bit condescending, which is a choice that I did not care for.
The cast was absolutely top notch. Jacqueline Fontaine was fantastic as the opera diva, Carlotta, and she made an excellent pair with Phumzile Sojola, who played the role of Ubaldo Piangi. The opera managers, played by David Benoit and Price Waldman were superb as well.
Laurence Connor's new direction is remarkable. I think that it is awesome how he was able to take something that has been done one way for such a long time and create a new and fresh staging. However, when re-envisonings like this happen, there are usually bound to be some problems. For example, I found the Overture to be quite lackluster. It is supposed to feel like the auction that takes place in the Prologue transforms into the opera house, but in this it just feels like they are pushing set pieces on. However compared to the one huge problem I have, the Overture is nothing. That problem is...the way Connor decides to portray the relationship between The Phantom and Christine. If for whatever strange reason, you do not know the story for "The Phantom of the Opera" or do not want spoilers for this new production, then stop reading here or skip to the next paragraph.
SPOILER
If you read my review of the sequel to "Phantom", "Love Never Dies", then you know that I cannot stand the thought of Christine and the Phantom being together. The Phantom is a murderer who stalks Christine and kills others for no particular reason. Ever since "Love Never Dies", they have been trying to push that The Phantom and Christine should be together by destroying the show's hero, Raoul, by turning him into this awful human being. In this production they don't really try to dehumanize Raoul, but he is a bit rough and like I said earlier, he can come off as very condescending. In fact, there is some added dialogue after "Twisted Every Way" where in Christine bursts out of the manager's office and yells at Raoul to leave her alone and that she thought he would protect her. Okay, now back to the other two leads. In the scenes between The Phantom and Christine, you can feel Connor pushing that he is on "Team Phantom". In "Music of the Night", The Phantom blindfolds Christine and it is very uncomfortable. But, the number "Point of No Return" is where the tension between The Phantom and Christine was high and I cringed in my seat. If you strongly dislike "Love Never Dies", then the staging of "The Point of No Return" in this production is unwatchable.
END OF SPOILER
Aside from those few scenes, I thought the rest of the rest of Connor's direction was great, perfect, you might even say. Numbers that stood out were the title song, which was spectacular and staged even better than the original (in my opinion), and the beautiful second act opener "Masquerade" was perfectly elegant. I really enjoyed the new staging, but there were certain scenes where I thought they could have used more of the stage and here are certain things that I thought they should have left the same as the original, but for the most part, the new staging wasn't bad.
The real star of the show is the incredible set by Paul Brown. The set was very massive and looked simply exquisite. It is very hard to believe that it tours. It is undoubtedly the best part of this production. Although Maria Bjornson's original set designs are not apart of this production, her costumes are and Bjornson's costume designs look as lavish as they do in photos.
 |
| The touring company of "The Phantom of the Opera" performs "Masquerade" |
This production of "The Phantom of the Opera" is absolutely worth seeing, especially if you haven't seen the show live before. It really is a spectacular production with sensational cast, breathtaking set, and of course the legendary chandelier. I look forward to seeing it again when it comes through El Paso this upcoming May.
 |
 |
CAMERON MACINTOSH'S SPECTACULAR NEW PRODUCTION OF
"THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA"
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics by Charles Hart
Additional Lyrics by Richard Stilgoe
Book by Richard Stilgoe and Andrew Lloyd Webber
New Production Directed by Laurence Connor
For tickets more information, visit: http://www.thephantomoftheopera.com/ustour/
As of October 2016, the current cast of "THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA" on tour consists of:
The Phantom- DERRICK DAVIS
Christine Daae- KATIE TRAVIS
Raoul, Victome de Chagney- JORDAN CRAIG
Carlotta-TRISTA MALDOVAN
Firmin- DAVID BENOIT
Andre- PRICE WALDMAN
Madame Giry- ANNE KANENGEISER
Ubaldo Piangi- PHUMZILE SOJOLA
Meg Giry-EMILY RAMERIZ
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