The Phantom of the Opera is the mega-hit show created by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. More than 10 million fans have seen the show worldwide. It first opened its doors to London’s West End on October 9, 1986, and to New York’s Broadway scene on January 26, 1988. They are both still playing. Last year, it was turned into a movie that will be released on DVD in May 2005. It is still being performed by numerous Broadway casts on the road.
The Phantom is one of the most beloved, most glamorously staged, and hauntingly beautiful Broadway shows. The main characters are the Phantom, Christine, and Raoul. Christine is a chorus girl who has been working with a benefactor under the cloud of mystery. Set at the Paris Opera, the company is getting ready to open a lavish opera production. The show is Hannibal , and it stars Madam Carlotta with Christine in the chorus. This does not please the Phantom, who haunts the opera house. After several occurrences, the opera company is forced to give the lead to Christine. Christine does a wonderful job, and while at an after party, she runs into an old playmate, Raoul. She and Raoul fall in love, which displeased the Phantom. He kidnaps Christine and brings her to his labyrinthine under the opera house. There he reveals his disfigured self to Christine. She looks past the phantoms mask and falls in love with him, but he knows she can never be happy and sends her to the arms of Raoul.
The cast recording was one of the biggest hits from a Broadway show. Music of the Night, Point of No Return and All I ask of You were major hits. Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman became major celebrities. In fact, when they did not have Crawford as the Phantom in the movie, it caused quite a roar among diehard Phantom fans. That part in the movie version went to the sexiest man alive, Gerry Butler.
The Phantom is lavish and moving. It and RENT probably tie as my second favorite Broadway show. This show was sung entirely in Danish. But music is truly the universal language, since I was as moved as the first time I saw it.
The Det NY Theater (which means The New Theater in Danish) harkens back to 1748. The stage that is inside now dates to 1874. The building itself is magnificent. When you first walk in, you will notice two beautiful statues on the stairs. The marble staircase takes you upstairs to the entrances. There are several crystal chandeliers throughout the building. There are a number of statues of Venus to be found. And the artworks on the walls are masterpieces. This grand and opulent theater is the perfect backdrop for this lavish show. You can visit them at www.detnyteatre.dk. Upcoming shows in 2005 include Beauty & The Beast and The Producers. These are professional touring companies.