The Phantom of The Opera
By MADY BRAND
The longest running Broadway show and musical, currently showing at Majestic Theatre, is “The Phantom of the Opera”. This show tells the story of the deformed composer who haunts the French opera house, Opéra Populaire. “The Phantom of the Opera” is based on the 1910 French horror novel, by Gaston Leroux, of the same title. Andrew Lloyd Webber, who created The “Phantom of the Opera” has also worked on shows such as “Cats”, “Evita”, and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”. Hugh Panaro, who has played the phantom several times on Broadway, said, "We all have our wound." The phantom is wounded both inside and out; that is what has made this story so appealing because in the phantom, we see an exaggerated version of ourselves. “The Phantom of the Opera” shows us that someone who finds them-self in the background can have great talent, you cannot force someone to love you, a single act of kindness can have a big effect, and that when you choose to fight hate with hate, the hatred only grows.
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Paris 1881, the Prima Dona of the Opéra Populaire opera house, refuses to perform leaving the show without a star. A chorus girl is brought to the attention of the new owners of the opera house. They audition her and discover that she is, in fact, quite talented. Meanwhile another soul of the opera house finds her voice to his liking as well. This soul has remained hidden in the shadows of this opera house, yet has been a voice with power over the Opéra Populaire through his ominous means of persuasion.
Opéra Populaire’s new star, Miss Christine Daaé, catches the attention of Raoul, an old childhood friend, while performing. However, their friendship is put to the test when Christine’s Angel of Music lures her into his world. Enchanted by his voice, Christine grows curious of this creature and discovers that he desires her love and despises the face he has hidden behind the mask. This angel, the same figure that has attempted to puppeteer the Opéra Populaire, sends Christine back to be the star that he so wishes her to be. However he soon finds that his attempts to teach the new owners of the opera house who The Phantom of the Opera is, only lead Christine into the arms of Raoul.
From here on out it is a fight for Christine’s love. The opera house is through with The Phantom of the Opera and yet he still prevails, until he has control of Raoul and leaves Christine with a choice, one that will change the phantom forever.
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Like “Hamilton”, “The Phantom of the Opera” examines someone who desires love, but doesn’t understand how to love. They bring someone into their world to fill their desire for affection, but when they do this, they discover that love is mutual; it requires two parties who are both willing to do what it takes to have it. Like “Wicked”, “The Phantom of the Opera” tells of a girl who disregards the beliefs of society to act upon her own beliefs. These girls both choose to act without support, but their actions allow them to do what they know is right.
By MADY BRAND
The longest running Broadway show and musical, currently showing at Majestic Theatre, is “The Phantom of the Opera”. This show tells the story of the deformed composer who haunts the French opera house, Opéra Populaire. “The Phantom of the Opera” is based on the 1910 French horror novel, by Gaston Leroux, of the same title. Andrew Lloyd Webber, who created The “Phantom of the Opera” has also worked on shows such as “Cats”, “Evita”, and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”. Hugh Panaro, who has played the phantom several times on Broadway, said, "We all have our wound." The phantom is wounded both inside and out; that is what has made this story so appealing because in the phantom, we see an exaggerated version of ourselves. “The Phantom of the Opera” shows us that someone who finds them-self in the background can have great talent, you cannot force someone to love you, a single act of kindness can have a big effect, and that when you choose to fight hate with hate, the hatred only grows.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Paris 1881, the Prima Dona of the Opéra Populaire opera house, refuses to perform leaving the show without a star. A chorus girl is brought to the attention of the new owners of the opera house. They audition her and discover that she is, in fact, quite talented. Meanwhile another soul of the opera house finds her voice to his liking as well. This soul has remained hidden in the shadows of this opera house, yet has been a voice with power over the Opéra Populaire through his ominous means of persuasion.
Opéra Populaire’s new star, Miss Christine Daaé, catches the attention of Raoul, an old childhood friend, while performing. However, their friendship is put to the test when Christine’s Angel of Music lures her into his world. Enchanted by his voice, Christine grows curious of this creature and discovers that he desires her love and despises the face he has hidden behind the mask. This angel, the same figure that has attempted to puppeteer the Opéra Populaire, sends Christine back to be the star that he so wishes her to be. However he soon finds that his attempts to teach the new owners of the opera house who The Phantom of the Opera is, only lead Christine into the arms of Raoul.
From here on out it is a fight for Christine’s love. The opera house is through with The Phantom of the Opera and yet he still prevails, until he has control of Raoul and leaves Christine with a choice, one that will change the phantom forever.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Like “Hamilton”, “The Phantom of the Opera” examines someone who desires love, but doesn’t understand how to love. They bring someone into their world to fill their desire for affection, but when they do this, they discover that love is mutual; it requires two parties who are both willing to do what it takes to have it. Like “Wicked”, “The Phantom of the Opera” tells of a girl who disregards the beliefs of society to act upon her own beliefs. These girls both choose to act without support, but their actions allow them to do what they know is right.
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