BWW Reviews: See the Phenomenon THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA at the Hippodrome

It seems like only yesterday I saw the original Broadway cast of Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, but it was 22 years ago when it garnered seven 1988 Tony Awards including Best Musical.  The first viewing of this phenomenon will almost always never  be forgotten. This is such a classic, the Playbill front cover doesn't have the name of the show, just the show's logo, a mask.

For those who have never seen it, do not miss this touring production which is laden with talented performers. For those who may not have seen it for a while and need a Phantom"fix", you will not be disappointed.  Allegedly, this is the final tour, so act accordingly.

This is one show where whatever you pay for your ticket, you will be impressed with the spectacle, the extravagant costumes, lavish sets, a huge incredibly talented  cast, and the famous special effects. If you can, sit in the orchestra before row "N" or head to the balcony to best appreciate the inevitable crashing chandelier.

How big is this show? There are 230 costumes for 36 cast members. It takes 16 53-foot semi trucks and 2 42 semi trucks to transport the show.  The famous chandelier weighs 1,000 pounds and has 35,000 beads. There are 22 scene changes.  Yes, this is no Avenue Q.

It was on January 9,2006, that it surpassed Cats as the longest-running show in Broadway history.

I had the pleasure of having as my guest a Baltimore City music teacher who was celebrating her fiftieth birthday.  While she had never seen a production of TPOTO, she was very familiar with the music and after the show commented that Trista Moldovan (playing Christine Daae) had a better voice than Webber's former wife Sarah Brightman who originated the role.

All of the leads will meet your expectations. Tim Martin Gleason plays the Phantom with strength and tenderness and Sean MacLaughlin is terrific as Raoul.

The ensemble will cause you goose bumps during the opening number of Act II, the incredible "Masquerade". I wish Webber had more such numbers in the show .

When the show opened, the orchestra pit was comprised of 26 musicians. The tour has 13. Need I say more? But the musicians do an admirable job under the baton of Jonathan Gorst. One of the violinists, Joanne Taylor happens to be a Peabody Conservatory graduate and was a member of the Baltimore Symphony for 14 years.

This is a solid, professional production. You will be tempted to hum along with the cast, but try to refrain.

For tickets, call 410-547-SEATor visit www.B roadwayacrossamerica.com. The show runs until April 25.

Read the book "The Complete Phantom of the Opera" by George Perry with terrific photos of the production and a history of the story. 

The show's web site is at www.phantomoftheopera.com

For a sneak peak of the musical, go to www.youtube.com/thephantomoftheopera.

Hippodrome Foundation Fundraiser April 21

There will be a fundraiser for the Hippodrome Foundation on Wednesday night, April 21 at 8 p.m.  You will get a premium ticket, dessert & coffee, champagne, beer and wine, meet the cast after the performance and get one parking pass per order. You get all of this for $160. Proceeds benefit the Hippodrome Foundation. Go to www.hippodromefoundation.org. Tickets are very limited.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids Fundraiser April 21

The same night, some members of the cast will be having a benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids at the Club Hippo entitled "Divas After Dark". Admission is $7 and doors open at 10:30 pm. with general seating. The evening will also include a silent auction of "Phantom Treasures" and other theatre items.  Pre-show fun will be provided by Showtune Video Madness, a weekly event at the Club Hippo every Tuesday night at 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.stagesbaltimore.wordpress.com or call 410-488-5180.

2010-2011 Hippodrome Season

Next year looks like a terrific season at the Hippodrome.

Baltimore finally is getting the huge hit Jersey Boys, the surprise hit musical Rock of Ages, the entertaining Shrek the Musical, and the superb new edition of West Side Story. Also on the agenda are Les Miserables, the off-Broadway sensation Blue Man Group, and Cirque Dreams Illumination.

For subscriptions, visit www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com or call 800-343-3103.

For comments, write to cgshubow@broadwayworld.com.

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