The Phantom of the Opera at the Eccles

The very first show I saw on Broadway was The Phantom of the Opera with my sister Kristine when we were on a girls trip to NYC in 1998 so it was especially appropriate that I got to see the Broadway touring production at the Eccles last night with her! We had such a great time because the show is amazing! The Phantom (Isaiah Bailey) is a misunderstood genius with a facial deformity who lives in the catacombs under the Paris Opera House. His muse is a chorus girl named Christine Daae (Jordan Lee Gibert) who is drawn to him and his music but is also frightened of him. He haunts the opera house in order to get the managers, Monsieur Firmin (William Thomas Evans) and Monsieur Andre (Carrington Vilmont), to feature her. The Phantom's love turns into a dangerous obsession when Christine becomes involved with Raoul de Chagny (Daniel Lopez), a patron of the opera, and he ultimately forces her to choose between them (I always want her to stay with the Phantom). I love the music in this show and, no matter how many times I see it, I always get goosebumps during my favorite songs! This cast is phenomenal and their performances of "Think of Me," "The Phantom of the Opera," "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again," and "The Point of No Return" are some of the best I have ever seen!  One of my favorite moments came when Lopez sings "All I Ask of You." I loved his voice but, more than that, I loved his characterization because his body language is almost mechanical, especially when he drops to one knee matter-of-factly to declare his love, and that is such a great contrast to the passionate Phantom. Speaking of the Phantom, Bailey is incredible and his version of "The Music of the Night" is worth the price of the ticket alone because it is both emotional and restrained (he has such vocal control). I don't think anyone in the Eccles Theatre drew breath during the entire song because it is so powerful! This production features the original staging with a few tweaks, including different, but no less spectacular, chandelier drops. I was really happy when I realized this because, as much as I tried to convince myself that I loved the new staging during the last national tour, I definitely prefer the earlier version. I was most excited to see the return of the set and choreography for "Masquerade" (my favorite number in the show) because the grand staircase reveal is so dramatic and I am always blown away by the stylized dance sequence with the whole company in unison on the stairs! I loved every minute of this iconic musical and I am so glad that I got to experience it with my sister (again). It runs at the Eccles Theatre through April 26 (go here for tickets) and I highly recommend it even if you have seen it before.