By Amanda VanNostrand
“Open up your mind, let your fantasies unwind…” at the Kimmel Center’s Academy of Music from now until November 12th. This production, by Cameron Mackintosh, of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera is sure to live up to the hype that this show understandably creates. Passion, music and drama flow from the stage and produce a show that is absolutely worth a viewing.
The Phantom of the Opera is a musical telling the story of a man in a mask (Derrick Davis) skulking below the Paris Opera House. Christine Daae’ (Kaitlyn Davis) is the masked man’s apprentice, learning musical secrets as he falls in love with her. Daae’ is secretly engaged to Raoul, Victome de Chagny (Jordan Craig) and he and the performers at the Opera House undergo a horror story as the Phantom of the Opera makes high demands in his attempt to control the theater and Ms. Daae’. Reasons behind the madness are revealed throughout the show, as the audience is entranced by romance and the musical masterpieces performed by a truly entertaining and flawless cast.
The Phantom of the Opera begins with an auction: the audience is drawn in as the auctioneer finds a mysterious monkey donning cymbals in his hands…
…Attention is drawn to a covered chandelier. At the close of a mysterious explanation, the orchestra boldly creates the dramatic melody (the energy of this opening song is enough to create genuine excitement and intrigue) that opens up our story and transforms the Academy of Music into the Paris Opera House. This is the exciting opening to The Phantom of the Opera and it somehow gets even better as the musical goes on.
Anyone who has experienced the music of The Phantom of the Opera understands that this alone creates an incredibly worthwhile story and performance. Derrick Davis’s enactment of The Phantom is excellent. He exhibits more than enough talent to handle the responsibility of The Phantom’s demanding role. He is at once frightening, captivating and sensual, bringing the audience a feel for Christine’s conflicting feelings towards him. Kaitlyn Davis’s performance as Christine Daae’ is an additional asset to this performance, fulfilling her part of the love triangle to a tee. Her scenes with The Phantom and with Raoul bring perfection to the stage and she more than does the music justice through her voice.
Another favorite is The Ballet Chorus of the Opera Populaire (McKenna Brimingham, Julie Eicher, Daniela Filippone, Abigail Mentzer, Kate Anne Mueller, Ally Taylor Sacks). They dance on a stage where each entrance is the start to a picturesque scene where flawless ballet performances weave amongst flawless music. The groups of performers in this show fill the ‘Opera House’ with song and dance that, in a perfect world, would go on forever.
And then there is the scenery. Created by Paul Brown, every intricacy from the falling chandelier, dungeon, underground lake, the Phantom’s lair, and the graveyard are exquisitely presented; the scenery is sure to be a favored aspect of this show. Brown’s stairway to the Phantom’s underground residence may be a favorite, especially in the initial descent of Christine and the Phantom. As the two walk down the steps, the stairs only appear seconds before they lower themselves to their destination. Given that the Paris Opera House is undoubtedly a beautiful place, the scenery reflects the elegance one would assume of the theater. From foggy mirrors to timely posters on the walls, the thought put into creating an old, authentic location is strongly reflected.
In addition to intricacies in set design, The Phantom of the Opera presents phenomenal costume design (Maria Björnson) as well. The dresses worn by the women at the Paris Opera House are worthy of mention; the colors and small detail combine to create stunning costumes and bring even more talent to this show.
Everyone should have at least one encounter with The Phantom of the Opera in their lives. This show is a classic with the power to satisfy even those whom are most resistant towards musicals. “Softly, deftly, music shall caress you. Hear it, feel it. Secretly possess you.” The Academy of Music has, once again, done a fine job in choosing a masterpiece.