So I went to see the Phantom of the Opera. It was a longtime goal of mine. Something mysterious lay in the name of the show. I didn't quite know why I wanted to see it, but since I was a young girl I seemed to know about its existence.
I've been on a pathway, quenching my curiosty of theater. Why do shows exist on broadway? Does that mean they are incredible? In the case of the phantom of the opera, I entered without already understanding the story. I didn't understand why there was a phantom, his presence was alluded to as if the audience should already expect him to be there although the characters constantly doubted his presence. Apparently, I should expect to fill in all the blanks with the 5 words in the title. By the second act, I came to understand the phantom was in fact the instructor of the young opera singer he haunted, and I could not be less interested in thier love affair or her fear, and the protective male boyfriend.
However, I went for the music, which was quite incredible. I closed me eyes at the male/female embracing love song, because i've just seen toooooo much of that lameness, and I was surprized such a week story made it to broadway. The singing was incredible. And perhaps stories that are well known don't need to be told well. Perhaps the audience is entering with an understanding of the action, and we instead are looking at the lighting design, costumes and stage settings. I was happy with my eyes closed. No choreography, or physicality to design interested me to the point i was particuarly compelled.
The phantoms riding of the chandelier was perhaps quite interesting to observe, as that does not happen in the small off broadway theaters i frequent. But for the 40 or so dollars I spent, I think i would have prefered a $20 ticket with an intimate small downtown crowd. perhaps that is where my true theater heart lives.
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