As many (or all) of you know, I recently saw the new touring production of The Phantom of the Opera at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts in East Lansing. Here is my story…
The Backstory
It all began many years ago, when my aunt and uncle got my family tickets to see Phantom at the Pantages Theatre in Toronto. I didn’t know much about the show (if anything) prior to seeing it. This was the first professionally produced Broadway musical I had seen. I fell in love. The music, the sets, the costumes, the story, loved it all. I’ve read the book. I’ve read and analyzed the libretto, listened to the original cast recording countless times. I know the story inside and out.
Over the years I have seen it several other times – another time in Toronto (just before it ended its run there), once in Green Bay, and twice at Wharton. In fact, it was Phantom that got me into Wharton for the first time and started my long history of seeing shows with them. The last time the show was at Wharton and I knew the touring production was ending, I was saddened. I would miss having Phantom come and see me.
Then I heard the news that a new touring production was starting – but that it would be different than the original one. I was a little hesitant because I don’t usually like change, and I didn’t want “my Phantom” messed with. I saw the brief video clip that the tour’s website had, and I was hopeful, it appeared it would be good. I almost made plans to see it when it was in Chicago, but that never happened.
Then last Spring, Wharton announced their 2014-2015 season – which included Phantom. I was beyond excited. I started making plans to see it as part of my season package and also organizing a group to go see it as well. The date I would first see it would be April 1, 2015 – opening night. My preparation for seeing the show started back in September, when I started my self-termed “Phantom withdrawal”. Since September 1, 2014, I have not listened to any of my soundtracks, any of my compilation CDs with Phantom songs, haven’t song any of the songs, etc. I wanted it all to be fresh to me when I saw it on stage.
The Countdown
For the months and weeks leading up to opening night of Phantom at Wharton – I would post countdowns on Facebook and Twitter – I was excited about it coming and I wanted the world to know. I often feel like theatre gets overlooked and is overshadowed by sports and all the excitement around that – so I did my small part to share the excitement of theatre with the world. My main countdown started 10 days before the show, counting down each day with a post incorporating lyrics from the show. Here is the countdown:
- 10 days until we can say “He’s here – The Phantom of the Opera!” at @WhartonCenter with @PhantomOnTour – can’t wait!!
- In 9 days I’ll be listening to the Music of the Night at The Wharton Center for Performing Arts thanks to The Phantom of the Opera on Tour!!
- I’m ready to let my mind start a journey through a strange new world! In 8 days I’ll do that with @PhantomOnTour at @WhartonCenter !
- In just 7 days “perhaps we may frighten away the ghost of so many years ago with a little illumination” – @WhartonCenter with @PhantomOnTour
- In just 6 days we can say “let the audience in, let my opera begin.” at the @WhartonCenter with @PhantomOnTour !!!!
- I’m glad that “Night time sharpens, Heightens each sensation” since it’ll be nighttime in 5 days when I see The Phantom of the Opera on Tour at The Wharton Center for Performing Arts
- I’ll no longer be “Wishing you were somehow here again” in 4 days because @PhantomOnTour will be back at @WhartonCenter !!
- There won’t be far too many notes for my taste even if most of them are about Christine when I see The Phantom of the Opera on Tour at The Wharton Center for Performing Arts in 3 days!!
- “Angel! I hear you! Speak, I listen… stay by my side, guide me!” right to see @PhantomOnTour at @WhartonCenter in 2 days!!!!
- “He’s a genius. He’s an architect and designer. He’s a composer and a magician. A genius, monsieur.” And tomorrow I finally get to see the genius of The Phantom of the Opera on Tour at The Wharton Center for Performing Arts !!!
Also, in the days leading up to the performance, I realized one of the stars of the show, the actress, Katie Travis, playing Christine is a CMU Alumni, which means I had seen her before in plays at CMU. I just found it really cool to know that a Michigan native and CMU Alumni had realized her dreams and would be gracing the stage of Wharton.
But now, the countdown was over, it was time to get ready for Opening Night!
Getting Ready for Opening Night
I had to work during the day (those silly jobs!) so I started preparing and celebrating The Phantom of the Opera’s opening night at Wharton by wearing one of my previous Phantom t-shirts under my work-appropriate shirt. I was excited all day and kept waiting for the day to be over. Luckily the day went by quick. I ran a few errands, did a few things on my computer at home, and then it was time to get ready!
For those who know me, I don’t often wear a suit and tie – I’m more of a jeans/shorts and t-shirt type of guy. But when it is a special occasion I go all out and get dressed up to celebrate, and opening night of Phantom definitely called for it. Also, I wanted to share my experience and excitement with people through the night, so I kept sharing pictures as I went. This was the first one I shared as I was all set to go!
I had one errand to run and also went to Panera Bread for dinner. On my way there I realized I had left my ticket at home – ooops! Too much excitement! Luckily it isn’t that far so I could quickly go home and get the ticket!
I ran my errand and had my dinner at Panera, then it was on to the Wharton Center! I’m glad I arrived even earlier than I normally do as parking was already getting a little full. I parked my car and walked to the Wharton center and I knew for sure I was in the right place as 2 of the 20 semi-trucks that they use to haul the show were backstage. He was there – the Phantom of the Opera!
I headed inside and up to the donor lounge. It was time to relax a little before the show. I decided it was a good idea to have a glass of wine to celebrate the night, and especially now that I know the profits from the sales support the Wharton Center! So I have a glass of wine and decide to take a picture offering a toast to the show!
As I’m looking around, drinking my wine, and eating the snacks, I notice a school group coming on buses and getting ready to come into Wharton to see Phantom. There were even some children in the donor’s lounge which I don’t usually see. It was great seeing so many young people attending the theatre! There is hope for the future! This is also when I first started to get emotional. As I’m seeing all the young people outside getting their picture taken before coming in, it hits me. One of these young people could very well be starring in the show in 10-20 years. Just like Katie, the CMU Alumni, had seen the show when she was 4 and fell in love with it and is now starring in it. Also, to know that I have a small part of keeping theatre alive by supporting both Wharton Center and CMU Theatre, I am making a difference in people’s lives.
Then it was time to leave the donor lounge and head to my seat. The excitement was building. I looked around the lobby for a bit and saw the typical “warning” sign about the special effects that would be used in the show. I always view these more of a sign about how great the show will be, and based on this sign, I knew we were going to be in a for a great show!
Time to head into the Cobb Great Hall of Wharton Center!
The Story Around the Show
For this section, I’m going to focus on my story around seeing the show itself, the next section I’ll offer a little review of the show.
I enter the great hall and make my way to my seat. Then as people filled in next to me, it was time to do something I was nervous about – having to talk to the strangers sitting next to me. I typically don’t talk to the people sitting by me (unless they start the conversation), but I knew I had to warn them. So I told them it was time for a more unusual moment in attending theatre for them. I told them that Phantom was by far my most favorite musical and that by the end of the show I would be a complete emotional wreck and that most likely I would hyperventilate during the show, but not to worry, I’d be OK. I told them I decided I should warn them, as I hadn’t in past performances when I saw it, and I could tell the people sitting next to me were a bit concerned when I was hyperventilating. They all took it in good stride and we chatted a bit more about how many times we’ve seen Phantom, etc.
As I’m sitting there waiting for the show to begin, I’m so excited I can’t even read my program. I’m just looking around and taking everything in and already starting to feel chills and feeling my heart start to race with excitement. And soon the pre-show announcement starts and the lights are dimming. It is time for the show to begin!
Throughout the show, I start to hyperventilate right on cue, and I recover just as expected as well. I get enthralled by the story once again, the music, the passion, the sets, the costumes. It is so good to see it again. Then before you know it – it is intermission already. This show just flies by! I head to the donor’s lounge to get something to drink and “recover” a little bit. I also stop by the souvenir stand and buy a few (or a lot) of items. A t-shirt, a poster, the souvenir program, the CD and DVD of the 25th Anniversary performances at Royal Albert Hall, and a magnet. It wasn’t cheap, but it is worth it as part of just a big occasion for me. I make it way back to my seat for the 2nd act.
The Entr’acte begins, and I just sit enjoying the music (while trying to ignore everyone talking around me!). The story continues. As expected I get more and more emotional as the story continues and by the end I’m a complete mess of tears. I do think I should have warned the people in front of me, because I think they looked back a few times to see what was going on! The curtain call comes, the audience applauds, a standing ovation, and the show is over. I collect myself and make my way (with somewhat weak legs) out of the theatre and on to my next part of the evening, but first…
My Thoughts on the New Production
Although I’m not much on giving reviews, because each person who sees something looks at it from their own perspective, so I don’t want to cloud people’s perspectives on something with my own opinions. I will, however, offer a few thoughts I have on the new production. Since these are just high level thoughts, you can read this without fear of any spoilers.
The production is definitely different than the past touring show when it comes to the sets and staging, but the music and the story remain the same. While there are some lyric changes, I’m not sure how many of these are because of the new production and how many have been changing over the years and I’ve just not stayed up with them because I only have the Original Cast Recording, so those are the lyrics I know. Although I can’t think of any lyric changes that I don’t agree with and most I understand why they made them and agree that they are better than the original ones. I do know a few were changed for the new production because they had to change them slightly to fit with the new staging.
From my knowledge and thoughts, I think part of the reason the new staging was designed the way it is, was to make it easier to transport and setup between theatres and also so that they could perform at venues with slightly smaller stages. I vaguely remember hearing that the original touring production of Phantom couldn’t go to some theatres because they didn’t have enough room. There were times when I felt that they were cramped on the stage and a bigger set would have worked better. Overall though I liked the staging, it fit well with the story and flowed very nicely from scene to scene. There were a few iconic scenes I remember from the original production that I missed, but the new way they did it isn’t bad, just not what I prefer between the two versions.
Some of the changes they made I really enjoyed because they help the audience connect more with the humanity of the Phantom. From what I heard about this production, is they tried to make it so the audience can connect closer with the characters, which I think they did a good job on. Another part they got really good was the balance between orchestra and vocals. So often lately with musicals, the music is so loud you can’t really hear the vocals, but in this production you can hear the vocals with ease, which is good because…
The actors and actresses they have playing the parts are excellent. This show is cast wonderfully, their voices are clear and wonderful. Some shows I don’t ever feel like I really believe the actor or actress has “become” the character, but not in this show, I forget that they are actors/actresses and just see the character they are portraying.
Overall, I’m very pleased with the new production. While based on my memories of the prior version I wished some things would have been done different, it should in no way take away from this new production. If I didn’t have the prior version to compare to, I doubt I would have any issues with this new version. I’m pleased they created the new production so the story could continue to travel the country and impact millions of more people!
The After Party
One of the benefits I get from my donor level at Wharton is an invitation to the cast party they have on opening night. The party takes place at Beggar’s Banquet in East Lansing. They have food available and a cash bar. It is just a time to mingle with other donors, Wharton staff, and the cast of the show. It is always interesting because it is hard to know who is who. Which people are actors and which are donors. Also, when the actors and actresses are out of costume and make up, it is hard to tell who they are! I did make sure to get a chance to chat briefly with Chris Mann (Phantom) and Katie Travis (Christine) and have my picture taken with them. I was glad to get to meet Katie, since it is always good to meet a fellow Chip! I still think it is so neat that I saw Katie perform on the stage of Bush Theatre at CMU and now here she is – a star of my favorite show!
I did get asked about what the stars are really like, if they are all egotistically and stuck up, etc. I told them, that they are not at all. Every actor or actress I’ve met, either through cast parties, through a dinner I had once for the Take It From the Top program at Wharton, or just a general feeling I get when they talk during the Take It from the Top recitals, are very personable and friendly. They are typically humbled by the fact that they do get to have the job they have, and most are passionate about theatre in general and being able to share it with so many people. Talking with them and seeing them off stage reminds me they are just people, just like you and I – except they have one of the best jobs in the world!
The Finale
I am so glad I got to have this experience. For some people seeing The Phantom of the Opera is just like seeing any other show at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts, but for me, it is truly a huge experience. I’m so glad I got to experience it the way I did, glad for the new creative thoughts behind the new touring production, and so grateful for everyone that is part of Wharton and the touring production for making it happen for me. Plus, I get to see it again on the 11th with 34 of my friends and family (or family of friends). In parting, here are my pictures with Chris and Katie.
