WHO WAS THAT MASKED MAN?

WHO WAS THAT MASKED MAN?

F. J. Hartland

In what is billed as the “final tour,” Andrew Lloyd Weber’s The Phantom of the Opera makes a stop here in Pittsburgh.

Set in the Paris Opera House, the tale tells the story of a love triangle between the beautiful Christine, her suitor Raoul and the masked (and disfigured) Phantom.

D.C. Anderson and Michael McCoy make a very funny pair as the Opera House’s new owners, adding much comic relief to the love story.

Nancy Hess cuts a stark and powerful figure as Madame Giry, the ballet taskmaster who seems to have inside information about the Phantom. In ever scene she appears, it is difficult to keep one’s eyes off her.

As Christine Trista Molodovan is a stunningly beautiful Christine.  Paired with the handsome Sean MacLaughlin as Raoul, they make a picture-perfect couple.  Their scene on the rooftop of the theatre is particularly moving.

And as The Phantom Tim Martin Gleason wowed the audience—not only with his powerful voice—but also with his physical stamina required to play this challenging role.  He was rewarded with a most deserved standing ovation.

The production is visually stunning. 

The massive set is gorgeous, and the many scene changes were executed almost flawlessly.  Likewise, the costumes are colorful and eye-catching.

Pacing is perfect and the shows clocks in a two-and-a-half hours.

In addition Phantom is filled with all sorts of shocks and special effects that will cause you to jump out of your seat at least once!

My only concern about The Phantom of the Opera was the sound.  It was difficult to understand what is being sung in many of the larger scenes (such as the ones in the managers’ office and in the “Masquerade” number).  Also, at times some of the vocals had a “tinny” or unnatural sound.  This was due either 1) to the inadequacies of the sound system or that 2) some of the vocals were recorded and not sung live.  I truly hope it is the former and not the latter.

All that aside, I enjoyed the show.  It was my first time to see The Phantom of the Opera, and I’m glad I did not let it slip away with “The Music of the Night.”

The Phantom of the Opera runs through September 19.

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