Phantom of the Opera (national tour #3, 1998)Phantom of the Opera (national tour #3, 1998)[NOTE: Astute readers will note that much of the descriptive material about the show itself were cribbed from my review of the 1995 tour; it is, after all, the same show. The new material here concerns the particular performers in this tour.]
He's back!
The Phantom of the Opera, that is. The Andrew Lloyd Webber musical version of Leroux's gothic parody is celebrating its 10th anniversary on Broadway this year with a third national tour. It's at the Fox Theater through September and it's still a fun bit of musical pulp fiction.
Everybody probably knows this by now, but just for the record: Phantom is more opera than conventional musical, with very little spoken dialog. The book, by Richard Stilgoe and Lloyd Webber, combines the major story line of the disfigured Phantoms doomed and destructive love for the soprano Christine with some satirical jabs at the foibles of opera and theatre in general. Charles Hart and Stilgoe are credited with the lyrics which, like both the book and Leroux's novel, are serviceable without resembling High Art in any way.
And, of course, production designer Maria Bjornson provides eye-popping costumes, sets, and stage magic. It's quite literally the icing on the cake - tasty, but not necessary.
That's because Lloyd Webbers music is ultimately what makes Phantom work so well - and what brings audiences back in droves. This lyrical, dramatic, and intelligent score is, in many ways, one of the popular composers best. He manages to both make fun of and pay homage to 18th and 19th-century opera conventions while still producing popular songs such as "Music of the Night" and "All I Ask of You".
Once again, the show is performed by a talented cast. Brad Little artfully emphasizes the mad and melodramatic side of the Phantom without stepping over the line into parody. He's got a solid and powerful voice, but it's a bit weak at the higher end, posing problems in "Music of the Night" and the Act I finale.
Amy Jo Arrington makes her professional debut in the challenging role of Christine, but aside from her visible enthusiasm you wouldn't know it. It's a lovely and entrancing performance. Megan Starr-Levitt alternates in this role on most Saturday matinees and Sunday evenings.
Jason Pebworth is appropriately handsome and dashing as Christine's lover Raoul. Other fine performances come from Julie Schmidt as the egocentric diva Carlotta and Steven Stein-Grainger as the fatuous tenor Ubaldo Piangi. Both of them have substantial operatic experience, demonstrating once again that you have to understand something well to parody it effectively.
Technically, there were a few minor rough spots on opening night, including a somewhat uneven sound mix. I expect that these will be corrected by the time you get to see the show.
In short, The Phantom of the Opera is an entertaining and well-crafted diversion. It doesn't raise any important issues and there's no subtext - what you see is what you get - but it does have the same mix of humor and melodrama that characterized Leroux's original novel. Put your mind on hold, suspend disbelief, and enjoy this big bon-bon of a show.
The Phantom of the Opera continues at the Fox Theatre through September 26th. Call 534-1111 for ticket information.