The Phantom of the Opera Review - Part 2

Please read the other one first...

The Phantom of the Opera
Belk Theatre Charlotte, NC
Saturday June 20th 2009

Well the second time around Tim Martin Gleason did bring me to tearing up. I did enjoy it just as much this time as I did yesterday. Which answers the question of "Can you see it too many times?" with a resounding "NO!"
Announcement: Passarino was played by Michael Scott Harris this time instead of Stephan Trafton.

Prologue / Overture: This time around, the auctioneer (Andrew Varela) was much more dramatic than last night. I also enjoyed how the Auctioneer seems to speak about the story of the Phantom of the Opera, as if he himself experienced the events as well. Again the blinding crack before it starts. I heard a few startled people around me, which was interesting. I always enjoy hearing that.

Think Of Me: People always laugh at Carlotta singing with that head. Again I couldn't take my eyes off of the slave master. I love how Monsieur Reyer only shows Christine the score for only a second before shutting it quickly. I noticed that there was writing on the back of the curtain, and could not figure out what it says. This will drive me nuts!

Angel Of Music: Again when Madame Giry comes to tell Meg that she should be practicing, I noticed that both Meg and Christine seemed to snap into attention at her entrance. I also love Meg's "Practice, always practice" spoken after she is out of earshot of Madame Giry. When Raoul enters, he seems to be scolding her for a moment for seeming to have forgotten 'the boy who went into the sea to fetch her scarf.' I liked how Christine really seemed to be asking her 'Angel of Music' to be taking her with him. Of course, he obliged.

Title Song: The Phantom seemed to be saying the "Sing, my Angel of Music…" part this time in a more yelling manner opposite to last night's performance. Christine's candenza was beautiful.

The Music of the Night: I noticed a much livelier audience tonight, which is awesome. But, please, let the man finish the note first! Everyone was clapping before he could finish the note at the end of Music of the Night.

I Remember/ Stranger Than You Dreamt It: When Christine began singing, she reached over to the monkey music box, as if to snooze it. I got a kick out of that. Then, when she was trying to remove his mask, after the first few tries, she seemed to get annoyed. Then, when she does, they both scream and she tries to run away, then finds herself face to face with the mirror bride, which is what makes her fall to the ground. Again, a lot of emotion from the Phantom.

Magical Lasso / Notes/ Prima Donna: I noticed how Buquet was laughing and enjoying scaring the Ballet Girls with his story of the Opera Ghost. I noticed this time that, when everyone turns away from the desk, Meg begins looking through the letters, then Raoul turns around and she suddenly stops. Once he turns back around, she begins looking through them once again. Also, Madame Giry wanting her to stay close to her. I also noticed that when Meg seemed to be worried about Christine, Raoul was willing to comfort her, caring about Christine's friends as well. That was a nice touch.

Il Muto: After the Phantom interrupts the performance the first time, and Carlotta begins her part again, when she notices that Christine was already out of her disguise, she looks and sounds worried for a moment and then continues. I liked that touch. I also like the little leg shake that she does when they are suppose to be kissing.

All I Ask Of You/ I Gave You My Music: Again, you can really tell that Raoul and Christine are in love. She seems so excited about the idea of leaving with Raoul after the performance, and the little giggles that they do. I also love how during the song, Sean MacLaughlin goes on one knee for her. Also how he sings "Christine, I love you" holding his arms out to her, and sounding so excited about it. Then the pain, and tears from the Phantom, and he holds his hands to his ears to block out the sound. Then his words of 'No' before he goes into his rage and drops the chandelier, which… holy crap it hit something before landing on the stage, is that suppose to happen?! I didn't think so? That seemed a little low at first!

Entr'Acte/ Masquerade/ Why So Silent: I couldn't help overhearing during the Intermission someone talking about a friend sitting below that had not seen the performance before and thought the chandelier was going to hit them. I loved how monkey girl stole Christine's mask. There were many 'awes' from some of the people around me during this sequence as well. I always used to love watching the Phantom's feathers on his hat, but due to an un-named someone that is not where my eyes ended up. Piangi's costume is really cool as well.

Madame Giry's Tale/Notes II/ Don Juan Rehearsal: Again, I wish the movie had kept the full background of the Phantom the way the stage version does. I much prefer that. I noticed Michael MacCoy (Monsieur Firmin) running onto stage quickly to get into position this time. I like how Christine seems to be near passing out during 'Twisted Every Way', and the way Tonna Miller (Carlotta) says 'She's mad'. During the 'Don Juan Rehearsal', I liked when Madame Giry said 'Are you so sure of THAT signora' to Carlotta about the composer not being there, how Piangi looked around checking to see if he was or wasn't.

Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again/ Bravo Monsieur: I liked the way Christine tossed the scarf down during "Too many years fighting back tears" The way she turned and motioned to her father's grave during "Why can't the past just die!". During 'Bravo Monsieur', the fireballs didn't seems to go towards backstage this time. It could be due to the fact that I was at a different angle. Or not.

Seal My Fate/ Don Juan: I don't know why, but, last night and tonight, the gunfire startled me. I knew it were coming, but it still startled me. Again, I love Carlotta's costume during this scene.

The Point Of No Return: I noticed this time, that the Phantom tries taking away the apple from Christine earlier, but she doesn't let him. When he finally does, he hands her the wine glass and she starts to drink from it. This time, Christine's Aminta reminded me a lot more of Carmen! Wow, she moves her hands along her body more this time, and so did the Phantom. Then they reversed this when she began singing. Wow. It did get steamed up more this time!!! Then, she removes his hood revealing who he is. Then he sings for her his wishes, and she removes his mask. He screams, and takes her away, and then more startling gunfire. They discover that Piangi is dead.

Final Lair: I believe I was much more emotional this time around knowing that I had to fly back tomorrow instead of being able to see it again. So the final lair really did seem like a final lair to me. I noticed the rat catcher run by this time! I had also noticed people grabbing the clothing Raoul had to remove to jump into the lake.
Tim Martin Gleason had more sarcasm about him this time, I love it when they do that. Again you don't notice him grab the 'punjab lasso' to hang Raoul with. Then when Christine kisses him everyone gets a shock! At the end of the kiss she seemed to move her head back a little so it almost seemed as if his head was in her chest. I believe she also kissed him on the forehead (reminiscent of the book)! I loved that touch! I always wondered about that. I love how the Phantom seems to go from wanting to kill Raoul to immediately wanting to save him. But, the hurt when Christine believes he is going to kill him after the kiss, just gets to me. Once he is finished singing "It's over now, the Music of the Night" The entire audience is clapping, then quiets as people come down the portcullis. Then Meg holds out the mask. I could actually hear other people sniffling, along with myself. I was glad I wasn't alone in that.

Cast:
Phantom… Tim Martin Gleason.
Christine… Kelly Jeanne Grant.
Raoul… Sean MacLaughlin.
Monsieur Andre… D.C. Anderson.
Monsieur Firmin… Michael MacCoy.
Carlotta Guidicelli… Tonna Miller.
Ubaldo Piangi… John Whitney.
Madame Giry… Nancy Hess.
Meg Giry… Jessi Ehrlich.