Thursday, January 21, 2010

The Phantom of the Opera: A Review with Opera Glasses

By Jeff Bridges

Phantom of the Opera is a marvelous performance that will send your feelings through an array of emotions from sadness, happiness, to fright. When planning on attending a performance of the Phantom of the Opera make sure you bring your opera glasses.

The story of the Phantom of the Opera begins in Paris sometime in the 1800's when two men take ownership of an old theater house believed to be haunted by a ghost. The ghost is said to be the spirit of a construction worker of the theater named Erik, who haunts the theater. The truth of the matter is that Erik is very much alive, although severely disfigured from birth. To cover his disfigured face, he wears the mask which has become the symbol of this wonderful performance.

As time passes, Erik tells the one of the performers, Christine, that her dead father who is has sent him to train her with voice lessons. The voice lessons take place in Christine's dressing room. This may sound fairly normal, but Erik is on the other side of the wall training her as he told Christine he is a spirit. As Erik trains Christine she becomes a phenomenal singer. Christine takes the leading role in a performance.

As Christine is performing one night on stage, Christine faints, and a man in the audience comes to save her. This man Raoul, we find out is a childhood friend of Christine, and begins to fall in love with her. Raoul begins to attend her performances, gifting her with flowers, and visiting with her often.

Jealousy of Christine and Raoul begins to consume Erik, for the Phantom has also fallen in love with Christine. Erik can no longer restrain himself from meeting in person with Christine. When he finally appears in her dressing room, he does so wearing the famed mask. He then takes Christine deep within the catacombs of the opera house to his secret home.

Christine becomes frightened and angered at Erik and wants to be let go back out into the world. Erik makes a promise to let her go after five days of being with him. Erik gives Christine a tour of his home which if very strange and horrific. Chills will be sent down your spine. Make sure you have your opera glasses out for this moment in the theatre.

During a powerful duet in the performance with Christine and Erik, Christine wonders who this phantom really is, and why he wears this mask over half of his face. Remember to use your opera glasses at this point, as Christine grabs his mask by surprise and takes it off. Erik, now upset, and feeling betrayed, decides that he will not release Christine, and that she will remain there with him always. You will feel at this point, the love that the Phantom has for Christine, and the deep desire he has to feel that love in return.

We will not reveal the ending of this wonderful performance; suffice it to say it is an epic one. You will never forget the impressions that this musical leaves on your heart. The costumes, music and storyline will truly astound you. This is a performance that demands to be seen again and again to full appreciate, for this reason it has remained on Broadway so long! As we always recommend bring your opera glasses to appreciate this wonder to the fullest.

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