Hello Beautiful People,
Up until last month, I had never seen The Phantom of the Opera.
Do I know the music? Sure.
Had I ever sat in the Majestic Theatre and let the words and music and creative genius of of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe and Hal Prince? well, no. No I had not.
And so, when the opportunity came to witness the magic of these theatrical pioneers, and to experience the brilliance of Norm Lewis and Sierra Boggess, and the rest of the cast, I had to say yes.
Any other answer would’ve been inconceivable.
So, on June 25th 2014, I brought my mother to see the longest Broadway show, and it was everything I could have ever imagined…and then some.
I was completely enraptured from the first note to the very last. I knew the story, I had heard every song, and yet it was as if I was discovering them for the first time.
And when the show was over, we sat for a moment before heading backstage, (made possible by the phenomenal Kelly Grant) soaking it all in. Truth be told, that’s one of my favorite parts of a show, the moment after the last note is played and the audience is shuffling out the doors. It’s as if the magic just lingers in the air for a moment. ANd I found myself thinking of the brilliant performers who had been in this space, in this show, prior to that moment. And I know it sounds ridiculously cheesy, but it was so moving. For when you walk into a space like The Majestic – the history is palpable if those walls could talk I would love to know what they would say, and I have no doubt that Jennifer Ashley Tepper will soon find out in a later volume of The Untold Stories of Broadway…
But alas, I digress.
Here’s what you must know –
Norm Lewis makes an outstanding Phantom.
The Phantom of the Opera is a theatrical wonder.
Even after all these years, the beauty and heart of this show still resonates with it’s audiences – I mean, I went on a Tuesday night, and it was a full house. On a Tuesday.
I urge you to see this show.
It’s just…brilliant.
Live, Love, Learn,