A play for the masses (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
Everyone knows Phantom of the Opera.
Even if you haven’t seen the play—the longest running play in Broadway history—you at least know the premise or can recognize that spooky organ music. Phantom is described as a “mega-musical” and, not being a fan of Hollywood blockbuster movies (which I equate a mega-musical to), I wasn’t sure how I’d like the play. It’s not that I dislike things for being popular. It’s just that, in my opinion, entertainment gains popularity for two reasons: because it’s a classic or it’s a craze.
I wasn’t sure if Phantom was a true classic or whether it was a craze being revived for old time’s sake.
But I should have known. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s play is the definition of classic drama.
“Well, duh…” is probably what you’re thinking if you’ve seen the show. And you know. You know the emotional appeal of the music, the power of the special effects and the thrill of the drama. Well now I know, too.
There’s a reason Phantom has garnered 600,000 audience members in the Allen at PlayhouseSquare since it first came to town in 1993. This is classic stuff.
This is a play with remarkable universal appeal. There was a diverse crowd in the Allen on a Tuesday night – I saw everyone from kids and couples on dates (old and young) to punks dressed in grungy black outfits to young professionals in suits and fancy dresses. And everyone ate up the show. I’m not sure how the reaction was back in ’93 but I know that in 2010 people still jumped when the giant chandelier fell over the audience into the stage. I know that I was impressed with the show. I didn’t see anything cheesy or overdone, even by today’s standards.
If you’ve yet to see Phantom of the Opera, go see it now in its final Ohio engagement or kick yourself for not seeing this classic drama live in person. The acting and singing are superb and Brunswick native/Baldwin-Wallace grad Trista Moldovan does an excellent job playing the Phantom’s love obsession, Christine.
Phantom of the Opera is playing now through Sun 8/22 at the Allen Theatre in PlayhouseSquare. For tickets visit http://PlayhouseSquare.org or call 216-241-6000.
Cool Cleveland events editor Sarah Valek graduated from Ithaca College with a double-major in arts and writing. After graduation, she came back to her beloved city and served as an AmeriCorps*VISTA with the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless. She currently spends her days chasing after her toddler-age son, drinking soy lattes and digging up the coolest events around town.