PHANTOM - The Las Vegas Spectacular!

If anyone has ever traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada, they know that the town has a reputation for being… well, over the top! So when I saw Phantom - the Las Vegas Spectacular, it was most definitely a crowd pleaser! Now I know you don’t need to hear much about the plot line since almost everyone has seen the movie (if not the show), but I’ll give a brief synopsis anyway.

The show begins with an auction at the Opera Populaire in Paris in 1905, where old set pieces and treasures of the theatre are being sold. Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny, is introduced and the audience is sucked into his memory of his first months at the Opera Populaire.

It is now the year 1881, and the production of Hannibal is in rehearsal. The leading diva Carlotta is singing the aria “Think of Me” for the new owners of the Opera Populaire, Monsieur Firmin and Monsieur André. During her rehearsal, a backdrop falls dangerously close to her, and talk of the rumored “Opera Ghost” arises. Carlotta declares her unhappiness with the odd occurrences that have been happening in the theatre, and thus she quits. With the new owners frantic about losing their star, Meg Giry, a dancer in the chorus, suggests that her friend Christine Daaé sing the part. After a brief audition, the audience is transferred to one of her performances. Raoul, the patron of the Opera Populaire and Christine’s childhood sweetheart, recognizes her from his seat in the audience. After the show, Raoul goes to meet Christine, and minutes later she is taken by the Phantom deep within the theatre. As the musical unfolds, the audience is caught in the tension within the Opera Populaire, the love triangle between Christine, Raoul and the Phantom, and the magic of the production itself.

As some of you may know, Las Vegas productions are always abridged versions of the original. Thus, Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular ran at only 95 minutes and without an intermission. However, the length was achieved by removing a great deal of dialogue; hardly any of the original songs were cut (though a few were shortened). The theatre, known as the Phantom Theatre at the Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino, is an approximate $40 million masterpiece designed to look like the glamorous Opera Populaire itself.

The show also featured marvelous pyrotechnics and lighting, with blinding sparks and fireworks adding to the magic. The striking sets provided flawless travel on and offstage (mainly for the Phantom) in unexpected ways, such as shooting up from the floor or hanging by one hand from the jaw-dropping chandelier above the audience.

As a note: My family and I have concluded that Phantom - the Las Vegas Spetacular was very closely modeled after the Phantom of the Opera motion picture, as it featured sets and blocking very much like it. In addition, the plotline was much easier to follow than the original production, which can be attributed to its shortened Hollywood-inspired feel.

Now onto the performances!

Tony Award winning Anthony Crivello conquers the role of the Phantom with a brilliant mix of tenderness and terror (not to mention the most incredible voice) in his performance. His vocal range makes even the highest of notes seem easy, and inflects the perfect amount of emotion in every word spoken. His handsome looks, intense speaking voice and astounding performance most definitely carry the show. Can you tell I’m running out of compliments?!

Kristi Holden gave an excellent performance as the young Christine Daaé. Of course, her beautiful soprano voice soared to notes that most people couldn’t dream of reaching. Her acting performance was not jaw dropping (partially because of a distracting arm motion that resurfaced during every song), but she still remained at the high level of the rest of the cast. Most importantly, Holden had a noticeable grace and confidence onstage that boosted her performance even more.

The rest of the cast did phenomenal jobs, as well. Tim Martin Gleason (Raoul), having played his role on Broadway and in a national tour of Phantom of the Opera, provided a believable and impressive performance that could only be obtained by a seasoned performer comfortable in his role. In addition, Geena Jeffries Mattox (Carlotta), Rebecca Spencer (Madame Giry), John Leslie Wolfe (Monsieur André), and Lawson Skala (Monsieur Firmin), stood out among the smaller characters with performances that were worthy of more credit. The only disappointment in the production was the dance performances by the ballerinas, most of which - though not all - were mediocre individually and extremely sloppy as a group.

As expected, one of the highlights of Phantom was the number “Masquerade”. With the most colorful costumes, great choreography and vocals, and swelling orchestrations, it became the most memorable number, along with “All I Ask of You”. That scene, already powerful and emotional, climaxed with Crivello’s angry and defeated reprise. The special effects, in the numbers “Angel of Music/The Mirror” and “The Phantom of the Opera” were stunning, proving that a little Hollywood influence can be beneficial to the world of theatre.

Ok, sorry this is getting lengthy! I’ll wrap it up!

Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular did an outstanding job at telling its famous story in such a short time and was everything I expected it to be. Athough I never considered Phantom a comedy, there were surprising moments in which the audience just couldn’t stop laughing.

In conclusion, the actors’ performances, in addition to the INSANELY incredible special effects, sets, music, and costumes were almost overwhelmingly impressive. I highly recommend seeing this version of the Broadway classic if you’re ever in Las Vegas, as the magic onstage is truly unlike anything you’ve ever seen!