Broadway Across America performed Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical adaptation of “The Phantom of the Opera” at The Hobby Center.

Having read the book, but never seen the movies or a live production of the story, I was excited and intrigued going into it. I had my fingers crossed that the show would hold up to my expectations. As the curtain rose and the opening scene commenced, the chandelier sparked and erupted in a light show. It started the show off with a bang and maintained the awe that it promised.As the show quickly danced around the revolving stage, the audience was whirled inside the haunted opera house.

The Phantom, played by Chris Mann, was a strong lead, who had a fantastic voice and a powerful presence. Throughout the show he maintained a level of suspense and fear in his portrayal of the character. As he wove his way through the shadows of the stage, he easily he blended with the set and everything on it.

Christine Daaé, played by Katie Travis, was portrayed as lovely and sweet. She started out timid and though hesitant, quickly became lovestruck over the attention that the Phantom was giving her.

Everything from the revolving set to the costumes were beautifully crafted and orchestrated. The costumes were bright and easily defined, set realistically in the mid-nintheenth century. Vibrant, detailed and changed often, each costume brought to life the mood of its wearer in whatever situation they were in. No costume failed to dazzle as they swept across the stage.

The stage itself was a large rotating centerpiece that had multiple chambers and ways that it could split apart, allowing for a wide variety of scenes to change quickly. It also had a smaller revolving prism-like structures that would swing onto the sides of the stage, creating an elaborate and traditional looking procession arch and box seats whenever there was a scene that was in fact a rehearsal or live performance within the show.

The large grandeur set was also capable of changing as characters walked across the stage, rotating and quickly changing the scene as they held lively debates or panicked chase scenes. The effect of this set was marvelous and enchanting, as the actors maneuvered its revolving parts, it was even possible to have scenes change without the characters breaking monologue, and it did happen on occasion during the performance. The entire show was a masterful performance that was well orchestrated and executed. The show did bring to life some of the darker elements of the classic story, but still maintained a highly entertaining and stimulating environment that kept everyone on the edge of their seats.