The Phantom of the Opera Dazzles at Kennedy Center

Theatergoers in D.C. enjoyed a dazzling performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s  The Phantom of the Opera this past weekend. Based on the classic novel Le Fantôme de L’Opéra by Gaston Leroux,  The Phantom of the Opera tells the dark story of a masked figure who lurks beneath the catacombs of the Paris Opera House, exercising a reign of terror over all who inhabit it. He falls madly in love with an innocent young soprano, Christine, and devotes himself to creating a new star by nurturing her extraordinary talents and by employing all of the devious methods at his command. Against the score written by Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe,  Phantom is story-line spiced with moments of laughter, suspense and intense vocals and it is no wonder that this stunning story plot is the longest running musical in Broadway history.

With newly reinvented staging and stunning scenic design, this new version of Phantom is performed by a stellar cast and orchestra of fifty-two, making this one of the largest productions on tour in North America.

Starring as the Phantom, Chris Mann, originally of  The Voice, brings a powerful voice and enigmatic fever to the role, and especially shines in his climactic solo, “The Point of No Return.” Kaitlyn Davis plays a gracefully and polished Christine Daaè, and sparkled in her magical solos, “Think of Me” and “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again.” Finally, Storm Lineberger excels as the zealous Viscount Raoul, faithfully devoted in his beautiful duet with Christine in “All I Ask of You.” Jacquelynne Fontaine as the Prima Donna soprano Carlotta Giudicelli delivers as the perfect comedic intermediary while David Benoit as Monsieur Firmin and Price Waldman as Monsieur André also dazzle with their playful jesting.

Between the stunning scenery and orchestrations by David Cullen and Andrew Lloyd Webber, this Phantom is a must-see and will leave you breathless. Click here for tickets.

Photo: The Phantom of the Opera – The Company performs Masquerade – photo by Alastair Muir