Phantom -The Las Vegas Spectacular                                   By Julie G. Howard
 

            When my husband and I traveled to Las Vegas for the fourth of July, I was completely shocked to see “Phantom” ads on taxis, billboards and double-decker buses.  What was this?!  What is the “Phantom” Spectacular?  A tribute?  The whole show?  A topless bar?  Come to find out, it was an all-new production of the most influential musical of all time! 

The Venetian Resort, Hotel and Casino debuted Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom of the Opera”, a story of love, betrayal and choices that bring happiness, on June 24, 2006.  The show is directed by Harold Prince, who directed the premiere “Phantom” in London in 1986 and on Broadway in 1988.  This all new 95-minute spectacular included every song from the original production and was even choreographed by Gillian Lynne, from the original creative team. 

The Venetian had David Rockewell design the new $40 million custom-built theatre.  Not only is it a replica of the original Paris Opera House setting, they used the Venetian’s original attraction, Madame Tussauds wax museum, to fill the opera boxes with “audience members.”  The wax figures were dressed in their theatre best and were a beautiful and intriguing part of the set.  The new theatre also features a one-ton chandelier that breaks into four pieces for the most climatic crash in theatre history!  There are over 20 scene changes and I considered all of them flawless.  The set, costumes, lighting and special effects used the latest technology to blend beautifully and create an inspiring performance. 

Needless to say, the show was amazing!  The lead roles are double cast due to the grueling 10 shows a week, but the star-studded cast was truly wonderful.  The character of the Phantom is played by veteran performer Brent Barrett and Tony Award-winner Anthony Crivello.  The ingénue Christine is played by Sierra Boggess and Broadway actress Elizabeth Loyacano. The prima-donna Carlotta is played by Elena Jeanne Batman and Geena Jeffries Mattox, both of whom have played the role on Broadway and national tours.  The role of Raoul is performed by Tim Martin Gleason, who came from the Broadway production as well. 

I have always enjoyed the music from this majestic production, and even bought the movie directed by Joel Shumacher in 2004.  But now I have seen the awe-inspiring beauty for myself and it left me breathless and overjoyed.  I’ve witnessed the Music of the Night and I believe the Phantom of the Opera will always be there inside my mind.

“The Phantom of the Opera” has grossed more than $3 billion since it premiered in London in 1986, and has been performed over 65,000 times in 20 countries.  In January 2006, it became the longest-running show in Broadway history, surpassing another of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s masterpieces, “Cats”.  “Phantom- The Las Vegas Spectacular” performs Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 7 and 10pm, and Sunday and Thursday at 7pm.  Tickets for “Phantom” are available by calling the Venetian Box Office at 866-641-7469, or online at www.Venetian.com.