Off-Broadway PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Utilizes Traditional and Non-Traditional Dance

The new musical "Phantom of the Opera" at The Players Theatre in the West Village features, as one would expect, some very familiar characters from the 1911 novel by Gaston Leroux. What one might not expect is the intriguing use of dance which adds visual texture and depth to the production. Choreographer Stefanie Smith elegantly balances the use of traditional ballet and modern dance with grace and skill.

Our first glimpse of ballerinas occurs early in the show when four classic dancers, appearing to have just stepped out of a Degas painting, come screaming on to the stage. Yes, they have seen "the ghost" or at least have heard about him. One quickly realizes that these poised creatures are not just accomplished dancers but comic actresses as well. Soon we are treated to a snippet of classical ballet, lovely and traditional, but shortly the movement takes an unexpected turn as we enter the graveyard in Perros where the dancers transport the audience into an eerie recollection of the previous evening.

"The entire stage comes to life and we experience what Raoul experienced the night before. I wanted to surround him with these creepy visions as he is describing them" said Smith. Later the ballerinas represent the attic architecture, inhibiting Christine and Raouls every movement as they attempt to race higher and higher through the Paris Opera House.
The Choreography is not limited to the ballet dancers. The Masked Ball scene is a huge ensemble piece that utilizes every inch of the stage. Here Smith wanted to give the illusion of grandeur while underneath everything was just a little off balance. Smith admits "I wanted the audience to feel uneasy during this number but not know exactly why".

Ms. Smith, an accomplished performer, also plays the role of Meg Giry in the production. The first act ends with the full-company singing a Kyrie choral while she performs an interpretive dance depicting Christine's plight - the number is a breathtaking end to the first act. Director/Playwright Brenda Bell commented that "the dance in the show adds a unique quality to the production that propels the intensity of the piece".

BASIC INFORMATION:
Open-ended run.
DAYS: Thursday - Saturday Evenings at 7:30p. Thursday and Sunday Matinees at 3p
LOCATION: The Players Theatre - 115 MacDougal Street (Btwn Bleecker and West 3rd)
SUBWAYS: One block east of the West 4th Station - A, B, C, D, E, F and V
TICKETS: $45, $55 and $65.00. Tickets can be purchased through Theatremania: https://www.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/680235 or by calling 212-352-3101 or 1-866-811-4111. Tickets may also be purchased at the box office which opens at 11a daily.
SPECIAL RATES FOR GROUPS: call (212) 475-1237
PRODUCED BY: Be Bold! Productions, NYC
SHOW WEBSITE: http://www.phantommusical.com

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