January 6, 2003

• WOW!

  
  

  What can I say? Phantom of the Opera was INCREDIBLE. For the first time, we were close to the stage (third row). We were so close that we could feel the heat of the flames that the Phantom throws at one point. I could see the actors' faces instead of big blurs, and I think it made it that much more powerful. However, that would be for naught if the story and presentation wasn't good, and it was. I already knew the story from the soundtrack, but actually seeing it brought so much more dimension and understanding to it. My mom and I both deeply admired the theatricality of it. I never thought Phantom would ever come to Toledo, because the Stranahan has a pretty small stage. However, the technical people worked around that somehow, and I took pleasure in finally seeing it accomplished. Even though we were close enough to the stage to see the guide wires and hydraulics (as well as some of the actors offstage), I was surprisingly able to ignore it and see the illusions as they were meant to be seen (at that point, at least). As with Rent, I found myself identifying with the actors as well. I guess that comes with being somewhat of a theater person, even though I mostly do tech work now (Theater and acting are just hobbies, by the way). The actors did a fine job, too (Most of them had been in Phantom on Broadway before touring). Their voices were incredible, some more so than the people on the soundtrack, particularly Mme Giry and Raoul. I'll admit that it was hard to come back down to reality after the curtain call. Like with every other musical/concert I've liked, all I can think about is "When can I see it/them again?" Anyways, it was a GREAT night.

  
  

  There is one bit of frustration I must report on, though. The Stranahan's 2003-2004 season was listed in the Phantom playbill. There are five musicals listed: Miss Saigon, The Music Man, Mamma Mia, Saturday Night Fever, and Kiss Me Kate. Of those five, the one I really want to see is Miss Saigon (which I've only recently become interested in). Unfortunately, it's running October 28-November 2, 2003. I'll be at Denison then! Frustration! Somehow, I'll have to figure out a way to get home on that weekend.

  
  

  Until next time...

  • 12:20 am
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