The Phantom of the Opera Review – The Background
The Phantom of the Opera Review - Broadway Show / Broadway Musical
The Phantom of the Opera is a musical written by the renowned musician Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Charles Hart and additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe. Its story is based on a French novel Le Fantôme de l’Opéra by Gaston Leroux. It is directed by Harold Prince.
The Phantom of the Opera is the longest running Broadway show – it has celebrated its 10,000th performance in February 2012. Overall, it has been viewed by more than 130 million people, and has been played in 145 cities worldwide. Love, joke, awfulness, and a fantastic plot leaves viewers everywhere out of breath.
The Phantom of the Opera has won many prestigious awards – the Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical, Best Scenic Design, Best Costume Design, Best Lighting Designer, Best Actor in a Musical (Michael Crawford) and Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Judy Kaye) for 1988 (its Broadway debut year).
The Phantom of the Opera is Playing in the Majestic Theatre in New York City
It also won the 1988 Drama Desk Awards in these categories: Outstanding Music, Outstanding Director of a Musical, Outstanding Set Design, Outstanding Costume Design, Outstanding Lighting Design, Outstanding Orchestration, Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Michael Crawford).
In 1988, The Phantom of the Opera also won Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Broadway Musical, Best Set Design, Best Costume Design, Best Lighting Design, Best Actor in a Musical (Michael Crawford) category.
The Phantom of the Opera Review – Plot and Story
Christine Daae is a beautiful and talented young lady who wants to join the Paris Opera House.
Carlotta Riding an Elephant
During one of the rehearsals for the opera’s grand production, a chandelier falls down and crashes into the floor, almost killing the leading woman Carlotta. Many performers of the opera suggest this could have been the work of the “Phantom of the Opera”, a spectral presence believed to be haunting the opera building.
On hearing this, Carlotta excuses herself from the opera, and this allows Christine to fill in as her replacement. Christine’s performance in the opera is exceptional, and is praised by everyone.
On the opening night of the show, she becomes reacquainted with Raoul – her former childhood friend who has grown to be a wealthy and well-known nobleman. Not surprisingly, Christine soon finds herself in love with the handsome Raoul.
But she also makes a stunning discovery – that the story of the Phantom is not just a legend. She finds out that a brilliant but horribly disfigured composer actually lives deep below the opera house.
The Phantom and Christine Daae
The Phantom takes a liking to the beauty of Christine’s voice. He abducts her and brings her to his lair, where he offers to help her perfect her talents. He also offers to write an opera especially for her.
The obviously terrified Christine is comforted by Raoul, but the phantom sees Christine’s love for Raoul as a betrayal. The jealous phantom almost kills Christine – just like he almost killed Carlotta.
When the phantom presents the special opera he has written for Christine to the opera’s management, Christine is asked to help out in the effort to capture the Phantom – even if that means risking her life.
The Phantom of the Opera Running Time
The duration of The Phantom of the Opera is two hours and thirty minutes (2:30 hours). Viewers get an intermission of 15 minutes.
Songs in The Phantom of the Opera Broadway Show / Musical
Act-I of The Phantom of the Opera
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The Phantom of the Opera
Think of Me: Carlotta Guidicelli, Christine Daaé and Raoul sing the song
- Angel of Music: Christine Daaé and Meg Giry
- Little Lotte/The Mirror (Angel of Music): Raoul, Christine Daaé and Phantom of the Opera
- The Phantom of the Opera: Phantom of the Opera and Christine Daaé
- The Music of the Night: Phantom of the Opera
- I Remember/Stranger Than You Dreamt It: Christine Daaé and Phantom of the Opera
- Magical Lasso: Joseph Buquet, Meg Giry, Madame Giry and Ballet Chorus of the Opera Populaire
- Notes/Prima Donna: Monsieur Firmin, Monsieur André, Raoul, Carlotta Guidicelli, Madame Giry, Meg Giry, Ubaldo Piangi and Phantom of the Opera
- Poor Fool, He Makes Me Laugh: Carlotta Guidicelli and Company
- Why Have You Brought Me Here/Raoul I’ve Been There: Raoul and Christine Daaé
- All I Ask of You: Raoul and Christine Daaé
- All I Ask of You (Reprise): Phantom of the Opera
Act-II of The Phantom of the Opera
- Masquerade/Why So Silent: The full Company sings the song
- Notes/Twisted Every Way: Monsieur André, Monsieur Firmin, Carlotta Guidicelli, Ubaldo Piangi, Raoul, Christine Daaé, Madame Giry and Phantom of the Opera
- Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again: Christine Daaé
- Wandering Child/Bravo, Bravo: Phantom of the Opera, Christine Daaé and Raoul
- The Point of No Return: Phantom of the Opera and Christine Daaé
- Down Once More/Track Down This Murderer: Full Company
The Phantom of the Opera Review – Our Critique
Longest Running Broadway Show / Broadway Musical
The Phantom of the Opera is equally romantic and frightening. Beautiful story, beautiful music, beautiful singing – all are blended in it. It is an exciting night of drama with impressive emotions.
It is simply an amazing show. Emotional, spectacular, terrific, historic – so many words that can be used to describe The Phantom of the Opera!
The Phantom of the Opera Review – This Broadway Show is Suitable For
The Phantom of the Opera has all the ingredients of a good Broadway show – great story, superb acting and awesome sound & light effects. So if you have to see just one Broadway show during your New York city visit, The Phantom of the Opera can be the perfect choice.
However, if you have younger kids in the family, you might want to skip this since this is not a story that children are likely to enjoy.
(If you are a family with kids visiting New York City, and plan to see a Broadway show, Mary Poppins should be a much better option. You can read its review here)
Theater at Which The Phantom of the Opera is Currently Playing
Majestic Theatre
Address: 245 W 44th Street, New York, NY 10036
What Other Viewers are Saying About The Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera Review 1
Outstanding Sets and Effects
I’ve seen the show 3 times, and every time I am still surprised by how fresh it is. It’s romantic, scary, and interesting. The best parts of this show are the visuals and music.
The sets and effects are big and elaborate. The music is beautiful and will send chills down your spine. I’d see it if I were you!
The Phantom of the Opera Review 2
We attended the show on Tuesday night and were blown away. The standing ovation was well deserved and a true reflection of a magical night. The Phantom was one of the best male voices I have ever heard! We highly recommend this production. Bravo!
The Phantom of the Opera Review 3
I saw the show on tour in Philly in 2006. Since then, it has been my favorite Broadway show. I have seen it twice in New York since then. The costumes effects and sets help it be so great. They are elaborate and jaw-dropping. The story has something for everyone. Love, comedy, some horror. But then there’s the music. It is beautiful. It is one of the best scores. It is a classic and a must-see!
The Phantom of the Opera Review 4
The Phantom of the Opera is a classic for everybody of all ages. Even for me, someone who despises classical opera, I really loved this from the moment I saw the show; it was life-changing. The Phantom of the Opera is a tale of seduction, romance, revenge and unrequited love. The acting was phenomenal.
Christine Daae and The Phantom in a Sensual Scene
If you’re a parent, don’t fear, you can take the whole family with you. There is really no profanity, although some sensual movement. The operatic arias may bore them a little, but the title song’s 80’s drum-beat will surely give them a retro thrill.
It also gives your a good opportunity to talk with your kids about judging by looks and accepting people for who they are. Isn’t this enough for you?
The Phantom of the Opera is a spectacular classic that never gets old. Go out and get tickets already!
The Phantom of the Opera Review 5
This was the first Broadway show I’ve ever seen, and I cannot say enough good things about the play! BEST first experience EVER! And I would highly recommend it to anyone. The music was sooo amazing and the cast was exceptional!
The Phantom of the Opera Review 6
An amazing show. The sets were amazing, everything was absolutely perfect to me… What are you waiting for? Get out there and see it!
The Phantom of the Opera Review – Tickets and Discounts
The Phantom of the Opera - A Complete Broadway Show
If you are visiting New York City and are undecided about which Broadway show to see, The Phantom of the Opera is definitely a great option – it is not the longest running Broadway musical without a reason!
As you can see from this The Phantom of the Opera Review, it is a classic show with a gripping story, awesome sets and amazing effects – you would most definitely be pleased.
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