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7 Days Of THE LORD & THE MASTER: Day #5 - THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

By: Jun. 12, 2014
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Today we continue a special spotlight series highlighting the spectacular entertainment set to be presented this coming Monday, June 16, at Joe's Pub, THE LORD & THE MASTER: BROADWAYWORLD.COM SINGS THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER & STEPHEN SONDHEIM, tickets available here, with a tribute to THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.

Sweet Intoxication

"Floating, falling / Sweet intoxication / Touch me, trust me / Savor each sensation," sings the mysterious title figure in the longest-running musical in Broadway history, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. It is astounding to consider the sheer multitude of appreciable attributes that have made Andrew Lloyd Webber's unforgettable gothic musical the most successful entertainment of all time, now in its 27th year onstage and recently having surpassed 10,000 performances on Broadway. The gargantuan excitement generated by and the enthusiastic reception enjoyed by PHANTOM for audiences worldwide is, in a word, unprecedented. Excitement for PHANTOM was recently raised even higher still with the presentation of PHANTOM 25. Furthermore, bringing together the cast of a lifetime with the electricity of a live audience, the HD preservation of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA AT THE ROYAL Albert Hall is positively peerless in its sleekness, precision and polish of presentation as it exists on Blu-ray. Never before - not even in the vaunted hands and cords of original show stars Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford - has the show felt quite this contemporary, sexual and hypnotizing, proving that PHANTOM remains as fresh and vital as ever. Ramin Karimloo as the Phantom brought a rawness and austerity to the role that commanded attention and Sierra Boggess was, in a word, supreme, as the young ingénue under the Phantom's watchful musical tutelage. Of note, Boggess can now be seen eight times a week reprising her role on the Great White Way, opposite notable Broadway leading man Norm Lewis.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's rapturous, rich and enveloping score is unlike any other, even in his largely romantic canon. Bringing together an impressive and inspired assortment of genres in creating the quintessential pop opera, Lloyd Webber employs elements of grand opera, opera bouffe, operetta and musical theatre, as well as incorporates a diverse range of musical styles - even a little heavy metal guitar in the title song, along with some pre-EDM beats. The score of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is one of Andrew Lloyd Webber's finest achievements and stands tall alongside his other classic scores for JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, EVITA and CATS, among many other international hit shows - many of which will be represented in THE LORD & THE MASTER on Monday night.

Indeed, the story and score of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is so very complex and decadent as to allow for a continuation of the story, score, characters and overall themes in the form of the new musical, LOVE NEVER DIES, which premiered earlier this decade in a new version in Australia, now available on Blu-ray, whose story traces the relationship of the Phantom, Christine and Raoul from the end of the original show all the way from Paris to Coney Island ten years later where PHANTASMA is the entertainment everyone must experience thanks to a mysterious figure lurking in the shadows beyond the carousel. Perhaps a taste of LOVE NEVER DIES awaits in Monday night's spectacular show, as well!

Tickets for THE LORD & THE MASTER: BROADWAYWORLD.COM SINGS ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER & STEPHEN SONDHEIM are available here.

Now, let's take a look at some of the most phan-tastic moments from the long and lasting legacy of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.

First, view the campy and outrageous music video for the pre-show single of "The Phantom Of The Opera".

Next, see the 1988 Tony Awards performance by Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman.

After that, see Sarah Brightman join with five iconic Phantoms for a special performance at PHANTOM 25.

Now, get a taste of LOVE NEVER DIES with the moving "Till I Hear You Sing".

Lastly, check out the trailer for the LOVE NEVER DIES Blu-ray.

So, what makes THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA such an enduring classic in the musical theatre canon despite its horror roots? Furthermore, what song from the score would you like to hear most in THE LORD & THE MASTER? With a score this strong, any selection is a recipe for success, especially with real-life musical theatre superstars delivering them!

Tickets for THE LORD & THE MASTER: BROADWAYWORLD.COM SINGS ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER & STEPHEN SONDHEIM are available here.

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