Friday, December 25, 2009

The Phantom of the Opera: A Review with Opera Glasses

By Jeff Bridges

The Phantom of the Opera is a marvelous and poetic performance that will push you through every feeling possible, from terror, to glee, to the pits of depression and back. As you attend this musical masterpiece, remember your opera glasses, to make sure you catch every last detail

Our Story begins in the nineteenth century, and the curtains open to reveal that two business men have purchased an old theater house which is haunted by a spirit. This spirit is that of a genius construction worker who helped build the opera house by the name of Erik. The reality of the matter is that Erik is not in fact a phantom but was one who was disfigured from birth. To cover the disfigurement of his face the Phantom of the Opera wears the mask that we all know so well today.

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.

As Christine and Raoul start to fall even more in love, the Phantom; Erik watches and hears all that is happening, finally he decides to meet with Christine face to face. When he shows his face in her dressing room for the first time, he wears the mask that has made this play famous. He then abducts Christine, and takes her through winding tunnels down to his home in the secret catacombs of the opera house.

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.

Christine desires to see the man behind the mask, and wonders who he really could be. In an amazing duet she pulls the mask by surprise from his face. We recommend using your opera glasses at this point to see if you can catch a glimpse of the Phantom's face. After this amazing pinnacle of the duet, Erik feels betrayed and angry and vows to never release Christine from his underground lair. The Phantom, simply loves Christine, and more than anything wants this true love to be returned.

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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