BWW Reviews: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA at Blumenthal Performing Arts Belk Theater

Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's phenomenal musical success, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is at Blumenthal Performing Arts Belk Theater until February 15, 2015. Part of the Broadway Light Series, tickets are on sale at the Belk Theater Box Office at (704) 372-1000.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is truly the largest spectacular tour production that I have ever seen. The set design by Paul Brown is magnificent with creativity that captivates the senses. There are many set changes, each one more breathtaking than the one before. The revolving stone exterior set extrudes steps reaching out to carry the actors and then recedes. The imaginary fourth wall extends to the audience to include the chandelier hanging above our heads, adding to the tension of the story, as the danger of the Phantom unfolds. The Tony Award winning original costumes, designed by Maria Björnson are breathtaking. She used complementary rich colors and gold brocade to enhance the story and period of this piece. The lighting design with sunrises, sunsets and silhouette vignettes of story are stunning, designed by Paule Constable, with added video and projection by Nina Dunn for Knifedge.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Lyrics by Charles Hart with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe, is a true opera. Each scene is propelled by music and song with the help of written notes (letters), sometimes humorously read. In this genre, when there is just song to propel story, the realism of responsive interaction of emotion can be diminished with stylized emotion of song. I though, was taken with the prima donna persona of Carlotta Guidicelli, played with strength and humor by Jacquelynne Fontaine. The Phantom of the Opera was played by understudy, Allan Snyder, who brought a hauntingly magnificent voice with added distraught breath to this performance. Christine Daaé, the ingénue, trained by the Phantom to become the leading lady, was played by Katie Travis. She had a beautifully graceful voice, executing those high notes effortlessly and was complemented in duets by Raoul, her lover, played by Storm Lineberger. He had the appropriate demeanor to be the Phantom's rival. Madame Giry, played by Anne Kanenguiser, was enjoyable, as she was committed to character in the strictest sense, to guide and warn.

Director, Laurence Conner interprets THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA with humor and realism. The spectacle of the special effects, the kaleidoscope of visuals and Webber's music will keep you very entertained.

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