The Phantom of the Opera- Review

[WARNING- SPOILERS!!]

Hello everybody!

So yesterday, I went to New York for what would be one of the best days I've had. That explains my lack of activity.

Half a year ago, I purchased tickets for the opera "The Phantom of the Opera". This play was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber . Yesterday was the big day. I came there several hours earlier and did some shopping. Anyways, that's not the point of this blog.

Let's talk about the theater:

So the theater that I went to was just BEAUTIFUL! This theater was built in 1929 and looks like it's been maintained in its original layout ever since. The hall was never-ending, full of bars, gift shops, and entrances to the venue. The venue was also very large. I come to take a seat, looking for my row, and all the seats were full. Luckily, I found my seat just fine.

Now for the best part, and the reason I'm doing this- the opera:

Featuring hit songs like "The Phantom of the Opera", "Music of the Night", and "All I Ask of You", this play is a hit!

The play begins in 1911, in what is an auction. The auctioneer calls out the numbers, 663, 664, 665, and item 666 was a beautiful chandelier that hung above our heads.

Act One of the play was in later 19th century Paris. The actors are rehearsing "Hannibal", and when the opera singer is singing, the phantom comes and ruins the set. The singer quits; who will play the lead now? This is where we meet one of the main characters, Christine Daaé, who is the lead character. When she was singing, I wondered 'Is she lip-syncing?'

After her singing, everybody comes to congratulate Christine. When she is alone, she asks to meet the angel of music, since her father promised her that the angel would be there. Raoul comes and talks to Christine, and when he lives, Christine is pulled into the mirror by the Phantom. Raoul comes back and Christine went missing...

Meanwhile, in the lair, the Phantom welcomes Christine, and there plays one of my favorite songs- "The Phantom of the Opera". (Just in case you wished to listen to it)

Now, I personally hate it when it's music back to back, but this was an exception. After this song, there's the song "Music of the Night". Another one of my favorites.

(If you want to listen to it)

So, the Phantom falls in love with Christine. Meanwhile, in the manager's office, everybody runs in with notes signed by O.G. Christine is also missing! They wonder about the notes... who could they have come from?

Now, this has to be one of my favorite scenes (I have a lot of favorites ), the opera singer returns (Although she quit?), and is practicing "Il Muto". She's singing, and the Phantom gets mad, and ruins her voice!!

On the roof of the opera house, Raoul and Christine are there. Then there are more songs back to back. The Phantom returns, and curses the opera house, for not following his commands, and curses Raoul for taking Christine. And remember the chandelier I was talking about earlier? Well, the Phantom destroys it and it comes dangling down. He even shoots the chandelier (and there is real fire coming out of it), and pieces of 'glass' (well, it's actually silicon, just so that nobody gets hurt) shatter across the room. That's the end of Act 1.

So far, I love the Phantom, and Meg Giry (why not Christine!?). The decorations are also spectacular!

Act 2:

The play begins a year later on New Year's Eve, and all the characters (except for the Phantom) are at a masquerade. Then there's a song. We return to the manager's office, where people, once more, run in with notes. And they are all signed by the mysterious O.G, more properly known as the Opera Ghost. They must reserve the fifth box seat for him, listen to all his commands, and leave him his salary. He also wrote an opera that they must perform. Christine must be the lead, since she is the only one that can sing, everybody else is backup. But the manager rebels. The opera singer, like always, is the lead role.

They rehearse, but once again, the play is ruined!!

Christine goes to her father's grave and cries. He lied to her. The angel of music did not arrive.

The show begins!! The characters sit around a table and feast. The Phantom is there, watching their every move. Everybody leaves after the Phantom ruins the play (AGAIN), and only Christine is left. The Phantom comes to her, and sings. The police, however, arrive. They surround the ghost, and he stands on the table, covered by a cloak, and suddenly runs to Christine. He... proposes!? But Christine does not wish to be his, as she is in love with Raoul, and pulls off the hood of his cloak, then his signature mask, and then... his face! (Beneath that face that Christine pulled off was a ruined face, since half of it was burned and he was missing his eye) The ghost runs away- ashamed and embarrassed.

Now everybody is trying to track down the ghost. They find the stairs to his lair, and Raoul is brave enough to descend them. He crosses the lake, and sees Christine in the Phantom's lair. The Phantom is outraged and upset. How could Christine betray him like that? The ghost notices Raoul, and hangs him! Christine must make a choice- save Raoul, or save the ghost. Now for a plot twist- Christine kisses the ghost! He falls to the ground, and she falls down too. 'Go save your boyfriend!!' I thought. But no, she followed the Phantom. He grabbed a gun and shot the rope on which Raoul was hanging. The ghost yells at them to leave, but they won't (just like any movie). Eventually, they run away, and the police come with Meg Giry. The Phantom now has his cloak on. Meg comes closer and pulls off the cloak... the ghost is gone. And that is the end of the play.

I almost cried at the end, no reason why. I was also surprised how the ghost managed to escape.

Overall, it was a great play. The actors were amazing, the music was phenomenal, and the decorations- I can't even describe them! Before leaving, I saw the musicians, who sat close to the stage. I rate it a 10/10, even though the actors (most likely) were singing with a track.

Next musical I'm going to see: "Cats", also written by Webber.

What would you like me to review next? Which movie, musical, even song or poem!

Thank you!!