REVIEW: Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Opens at the Fox Theatre for Extended Run

Andrew Lloyd Webber's re-imagining of French novelist Gaston Leroux's classic story has become a wildly popular musical juggernaut since its debut in 1986, establishing itself as a classic in its own right. Leroux's work has been a favorite choice for horror film directors since Lon Chaney, Sr. was unmasked by Mary Philbin in the 1925 screen classic. The basic concept of a disgruntled and disfigured composer haunting a theatre has certainly been explored in endless variations, but Webber's emphasis on lush romanticism, and the sympathy he's able to create for the lead character, are all factors in it's continued success. A solid production, complete with eye-popping special effects, is currently in town at the Fox Theatre for an extended run.

The Phantom is a mysterious figure, and musical genius, who haunts the opera house and lives underground in the Paris sewers where he yearns for understanding and love. He becomes obsessed with a beautiful and virginal young soprano named Christine, and he mesmerizes her, leading her back to his lair so that he can mold her talent around his inspirations. But, his ghastly appearance, and perhaps the fact that he's hypnotizing her to do his bidding, are all impediments to any love ever developing between them. When she falls for her childhood friend and patron of the arts, Raoul, the Phantom flies into a rage and causes a chandelier to crash to the stage during a curtain call. He disappears, only to return during a masquerade ball to confront the opera producers with his demand to have his new opera, "Don Juan Triumphant", staged. Chaos ensues before true love triumphs in the end.

A very good cast is led by Tim Martin Gleason as the Phantom. He has a fine voice that's fairly suited to the material, and he does decent work conveying the despair and loneliness inherent in his character. His subdued take on "The Music of the Night" is especially affecting. Trista Moldovan is a lovely presence as Christine, and her warm soprano brightens numbers like "Angel of Music" and "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again". Sean MacLauglin plays the other participant in this love triangle and gives a nice performance as Raoul, performing a lovely duet with Moldovan on the rooftop of the opera house as they fall for one another in classic musical tradition.

A large and exceptional supporting cast includes: Kim Stengel as Carlotta, the overstuffed coloratura that Christine replaces; David Gaschen as Ubaldo Piangi, her corpulent co-star; D.C. Anderson and Michael McCoy as Monsieur Andre and Monsieur Firmin, respectively; and Nancy Hess as Madame Giry, the dance instructor who conveys the Phantom's threatening notes; and Paloma Garcia-Lee as Meg Giry, a dancer in the troupe, and Christine's best friend.

The Phantom of the Opera is really a triumph of staging with Harold Prince's direction presenting and coordinating these spectacular set pieces with cinematic precision. The constant movement of actors and curtains and backdrops provides a dazzling display of theatrical technique and technical virtuosity. Maria Bjornsson's amazing production design and Andrew Bridge's moody concert lighting scheme also contribute immensely. And, of course there's Webber's full-bodied orchestral score (with lyrics by Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe) to contend with as well.

The Fox Theatre's presentation of The Phantom of the Opera continues through October 25, 2009.

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