“Phantom of the Opera” is a Timeless
Romantic Thriller at the Fabulous Fox

by Pat Lindsey

It’s been 37 years since “Phantom of the Opera” made its debut on Broadway, and it continues to mesmerize audiences and play to packed theaters throughout the country. No matter how many times I’ve seen it, the Phantom still has me in his spellbinding grip and the music of the night sends chills up and down my spine.

Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom of the Opera” at The Fabulous Fox seems revitalized and bigger and better than any other version I’ve seen. The orchestra is
fantastic and brings new life to Webber’s outstanding score. And, oh, my goodness, the vocalists are phenomenal! Soprano Jordan Lee Gilbert, who plays the heroine Christine Daae’, sings like a nightingale. Isaiah Bailey as the Phantom is a tour de force. His powerful and well-trained voice is magical. When he sings “The Point of No Return” with Christine, I can barely breathe. Christine’s love interest, Raoul (Daniel Lopez) also lends his beautiful tenor voice to the mix throughout the show.

The cast members of the play, “Hannibal,” also grace the stage with their phenomenal operatic voices as they rehearse for the opera within the musical. Midori Marsh, who plays Carlotta the star of the opera, is soprano supreme. There isn’t a note she can’t hit. She is supported by several other talented vocalists, who deserve individual recognition, as well as a chorus and a troupe of ballerinas.

The story is set in the late 19th century in a Paris opera house.    That’s where the disfigured Phantom has made his home. It is also where he discovers a young soprano in the chorus during rehearsals of “Hannibal.” The Phantom decides that the young protege should replace the star of the opera, Carlotta (Marsh), and he begins his evil plot to make that happen.

The Phantom is a cold-blooded killer who has everyone in the opera house on edge. He sends them notes with his demands and constantly reminds them he is always lurking in the shadows. He tries to make Christine (Gilbert) fall in love with him, but her heart belongs to Raoul (Lopez), an arts benefactor. The Phantom’s attempt to steal Christine and Raoul’s plan to save her take the audience on an emotional journey to the dark, candle-lit labyrinth beneath the opera house and across a subterranean lake.

As the jourrney continues, the sets seamlessly change from the stage of the opera house to its roof, to the cemetery where Christine’s father is buried, to the underground lake and then to the Phantom’s lair. Special effects add to the suspense and make the Phantom even more powerful. The costumes, especially at the masquerade party scene, are sheer works of art.

“Phantom of the Opera” is an enormous show with elaborate sets, a large cast, and dozens of Andrew Lloyd Webber compositions. (My personal favorites are, “All I Ask of You” and “The Phantom of the Opera.”) This is one show that will definitely send you home humming and reminiscing about the music of the night.

Your opportunity to see this phenomenal production is now through Mar. 8. Tickets are available through Metrotix at 314-534-1111 or visit The Fox box office.

For more information, go to fabulousfox.com.

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