Phantom Swept Me Off My Feet!
A Review by Sharon Richmond
Mother Lode music fans shouldn’t miss this chance. The Phantom of the Opera is back in town and tickets are going fast. Take your kids, spouse, friends - and your tissues. This fabulous performance left me sobbing so hard I soaked the neckline of my blouse and earned me hugs from other red-eyed, smiling audience members. The instant ovation given to the cast at curtain close left no doubt that opinion of the packed house was unanimous.
The Phantom of the Opera is the pinnacle of the live theater and music experience. The set is the most elaborate and sophisticated I’ve ever seen, possibly ever made for live theater. The special effects, lights, and sound mesh perfectly with the singers and musicians. The magic of the show snares the audience in the prologue when we see the tragic remains of a once-majestic theater being auctioned off. The gilt edifice and tattered curtains gradually come alive with light and mystery as the tragic tale unfolds.
The auctioneer’s cold and unfeeling voice is haltingly replaced by lyrical memories of one of the bidders. Then the music soars. The Orchestra, conducted by Jonathan Gorst, provided a perfect framework for the singers to hang their own outstanding performances.
From the Phantom’s first dramatic entrance to his mysterious and tragic rejection and disappearance at final curtain, Stephen Tewksbury grabs our emotions and plays them with unparalleled mastery. Just – WOW! Tewksbury takes us through the gamut of longing, desire, exultation and triumph, through the final despair and loss. Audience members of all ages willingly followed this emotional pied piper to his underground lair, and most would have stayed there with him.
The lead role of Christine Daae’ and person of the phantom’s desires, was performed by Sarah Jean Ford. Her voice is remarkably rich. Sopranos of such slight build frequently have a thinner quality to the music they produce – this is NOT true of this remarkable singer. This woman’s range of acting is as profound as her voice. She is excellently cast. Ford’s vocal competitor in the role of Carlotta was Kim Stengel. This stunning singer is tremendously comfortable with her long-standing performance in this role. She throws herself playfully into this caricature of an opera singer and twines the audience around her little finger. Her 4,500 performances in this role give her an unmatched authority.
Our hero, the handsome and debonair Raoul, was convincingly performed by Greg Mills. John Whitney had fun opposite "Carlotta" with the role of Piangi. Monsieurs Andre’ and Fermin were wonderfully portrayed by D.C. Anderson and Bruce Winant. Nancy Hess has a beautiful voice and was the epitome of a strict dance mistress. All the supporting cast were highly accomplished singers and actors. One expects top quality from Broadway shows, and we were not disappointed. Live performances are only as strong as their weakest performers. No one on stage, working tech or playing music, was remotely weak. Their consistency was an audience members' and per-formers' dream. A show of this nature can be a real investment for a family to see. This one is worth it.
Broadway Sacramento’s production of Phantom of the Opera runs through June 14, and this is the last of this season. Tickets may be purchased at the Community Center box office at 916-808-5181 or at Wells Fargo Pavilion at 916-557-1999. For more information on Broadway Sacramento shows for the 2008-2009 season, visit online at www.BroadwaySacramento.com.
The Music Circus summer season opens July 5 with the family oriented Sound of Music, followed by Gypsy, July 15-20. For bloody-minded viewers, the Music Circus premier of Sweeny Todd: the Demon of Fleet Street runs from July 22-27 (I won’t miss this!). Watch for Swing, My Fair Lady, Evita, and Hairspray later this summer, to be announced in this publication.
There are shows for all types of viewers and performances are always great. Tickets for these shows can also be purchased at The Wells Fargo Pavilion at 916-557-1999. Tickets are available at the Wells Fargo Pavilion Box Office, Sac-ramento Community Center, 1301 L Street. www.californiamusicaltheatre.com
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