On Broadway: Phantom of the Opera

If you've been reading this blog for a while you might remember that in March, 2005 my wife and I went to our first Broadway Show together. After years of suggestions Stacey finally gave in, and actually attempted to surprise me with tickets for Phantom of the Opera. You can find my original post about the show HERE. It was a lovely evening and that show would be the yardstick with which every show we would see thereafter would be measured. Of course, nothing has been able tomeasure up. It's that good.

Earlier this year Phantom had broken all records and became the longest running show on Broadway. With that they announced that they would bring the show to an end by June or July of 2006.

The news horrified my wife and me. How can they end such beauty, especially since it regularly sells out? So Stacey went crazy trying to acquire tickets. It was impossible. Tickets couldn't be found for any night. We began to worry. The show will end and we didn't get to see it again.

Luckily my wife figured out people were auctioning off tickets on skyauction.com. For a bargain price she secured a pair of orchestra seats and even gift certificates for a fine dinner but that would have to wait for another night. Curtain for the Phantom was a shockingly early 7 o'clock.

We ended up having some nondescript fast food enarby and were in line for the show by 6:30. Shortly after they started letting the patrons into the theater. That would be the Majestic Theatre, 247 West 44th Street in NYC. We had great seats with a splendid view of the stage. And what a stage it is. Over the past year we've been in several theaters and none match the grandeur of this one.

By 7:05 the music had started and the show was underway.

It was more marvelous than I had rememebered. Everything. Every aspect. Fantastic.

Of course none of the cast remained from our previous visit, yet all were perfect. There was a balance. The entire cast worked together in creating the lovely memory. This time, the Phantom, performed by Howard McGillin, eclipsed everyone in the show. The show IS the Phantom of the Opera, and the Phantom WAS the show. His voice cut through everything. It was strong. It was powerful. It was hurt. It was beautiful. It was heart-wrenching. It was phenominal. The show was over two hours, but it goes by as if in mere moments. And the roller coaster of emotions in the show wreak havoc on your soul and you love every second of it. It took every ounce of my m,anly strength to hold back the tears, but there were so many who couldn't say that for themsleves.

I won't say anything further, only that the show is the greatest one out now and it would be a tragedy to miss. Be sure you get to see it in New York if you can. You will not regret it!

More on the official website:
http://www.thephantomoftheopera.com/poto/home.php