phantom of the opera broadway new york city

Conversely, Michelle McConnell, while a good singer, needs a lot more divatude to turn Carlotta into the kind of love-to-hate character that earned Judy Kaye a Tony Award. The handsome, strong-voiced Jeremy Hays elevates Christine’s virtuous lover Raoul from the status of cardboard hero, and Ellen Harvey is a deliciously stern, almost scary Madame Giry. The current production also benefits from two strong supporting performances. This gorgeous actress invests every ounce of her being into making the initially naïve Christine a full-bodied character, and her beautiful, never-harsh soprano does full justice to such lovely songs as “Think of Me,” All I Ask of You,” and especially, “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again.” Lewis aside, the real reason one should run to the Majestic right now is to see the magnificent Sierra Boggess, who practically reinvents the role of aspiring opera star Christine (which she has previously played on Broadway and in London). Vocally, he gives a glorious rendition of the Phantom’s chilling signature song “The Music of the Night,” and earns a well-deserved ovation. He’s anything but a villain, though you’re more likely to cry for him than boo him. He beautifully captures the soul of this tortured man, drawn at times by both love (for music and for star pupil Christine Daae) and hate (for injustice and stupidity) to take often monstrous action. More importantly, Lewis’ presence is anything but so-called stunt casting. Broadway veteran Norm Lewis is now making his mark on the title role, as well as making history by becoming the first African-American actor to play the part on Broadway.Īs it turns out, it certainly seems possible that the Phantom could be African-American without impinging on the logic of the story.

However, theatergoers who choose to visit the show now – whether for the first time or the 100th – will notice one huge difference.

Twenty-six years and nearly 11,000 performances later, Harold Prince’s lavish production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical “The Phantom of Opera” not only looks as good as it did in 1988, but still holds the same thrills for audiences as the day it first bowed at the Majestic Theatre. The chandelier still swings over the audience, the gondola still floats in the mist, and the music of the night still soars.

Phantom of the opera broadway new york city