University of South Carolina Libraries
4 Expert m Jm s the chandelier rose to the high /W ceiling of the North Carolina yf I Blumenthal Performing Arts / B Center, so did the excitement of the frill house that turned out to experience The Phantom of the Opera. The world-famous musical began on a simple, subdued note. But within five minutes the everfamous overture started so unexpectedly it took the audience by surprise. We stared in awe as the 1,000 pound chandelier swung towards us and quickly took its place in the blackness above us. Those who haven't experienced Andrew Lloyd Webber's masterpiece are missing out. The performance offers a little bit of eveiything?comedy, ballet, drama and, of course, music. The musical is set on the roof, the underground labvrinth and the stacre of the Paris Onera House during the vear 1911. The plot follows the trials and tribulations of the actors, owners and directors of the Paris Opera Many of the trials are staged by The Phantom (Brad Little) who lives in the underground labyrinth of the opera house. The Phantom is an outcast of society because of his grotesque face. He focuses his attention on a chorus girl, Christine Daae (Adrienne McEwan) who has an extraordinary voice. She attributes her talent to the direction of the Phantom, who she calls her "Angel of Music." Christine learns not to fear the Phantom because of their common talent and love of music. With the Phantom's help, Christine becomes the opera's lead soprano. Throughout the rest of the musical, the storyline follows the typical good-versus-evil idea. However, But wtthtn five m/r, W U S C . F M j0& Notice! DECEME You are jiot required to order your cap Russell House. Compare quality & pi Free cap & gown with purchase of 25 NOV. 15UL Balfour - Your Quality Alternativ / ri?^ Lcap /Igov enclng t lisle of by Jennifer Stanlex the plot is complicated by a love triangle: The Phantom is in love with Christine, who is in love with and secretly engaged to a ^^k childhood sweetheart, Raoul (John Schroeder). The Phantom of the ^k Opera is what '^k describes as fashioned jA j| reaches its I climax ^tk^. when ^H| Christine is to choose between her true love, Raoul, up music or keeping music and stay with The Phantom forever. Highlights of the musical include such songs as "Think of Me," "The Music of the Night," "Masquerade" and "The Point of No Return." vtes the ever-famous overture started Sometimes it's o Notice! !ER GRADUATES ) & gown from the University Bookstore rice from Balfour. 1609 Blossom Street 1 personalized graduation announcements e To Bookstore Exclusivity (SfeJ 0 with purch 25 person % gradi &announcem $3975 + tax, graduate j ? please add tlity Alternative to Bookstore Exc ders accepted with Master Card < (803) 254-5330 1609 Bio Free parking or walk from ETC. he The iiic riiyi (, features Editor The music was delivered with such power and emotion it left the whole theater breathless. The lyrics were so clear and concise that the actors and actresses hit notes so high, they were off the charts. The actors and actresses were expressive in both words and music. All had a great stage presence. k Also, they k cameto this production of"The Phantom of the O d e r a " from a wide array of .^mMKimilee Christine Daae in certain shows. Bryant was Mss South Carolina and Talent winner in Miss America. Before joiiiing the touring production , Little played Raoul in Broadway's production. so unexpectedly that tt took the cu ikavto cry. I FRATERNITY FOOTB/ feTl ^ Aj*? Sigma Nu Wed. 10/30 9:00pm B in the '54-5330 SunnnlK Phi Delta Theta CXp. Sun. 10/27 6:00pm C Sigma Chi V 1_r Kappa Sigma VV| S |l M I I Mon. 10/28 8:00 pm B ^L4LLV/V^L | Alpha Phi Alpha Sun. IBffiffiHl Pl Kappa Alpha Mon. 10/28 8:00 pm C Omega Psl Phi SAE Mon. 10/28 9:00 pm B KfMl Delta Upsllon Sun. f||f vwf |{ Kappa Alpha if Mon. 10/28 9:00 pm C * ^ ATO Chi Psl Sun. 10/27 7:00pm C Beta Theta Pi Wed Lambda Chi Alpha Sun. 10/27 7:00pm B _ Sigma Phi Epsilon ase of lalized uation ents... . Post gowns I $io00 OV. 15 1996 3r Visa. ssom St. campus C1996 S C. Johnson & Son. Inc. All rights reser HMHI I mtonis m *4* u Other performers hail from productions such as "Evita," "Annie," "A Chorus Line," "Grand Hotel" and "Les Miserables." The music was accompanied by intricate costumes and set designs that completed the overall presentation of the story. The set is designed to look like the Paris Opera House, and those who have visited the opera house can attest it is indeed mysterious and alluring. The real opera house contains 17 stories, seven of which are below the stage level. In both the musical and the real opera house there is a lake underneath the bottom floor. In the musical, the lake sets the scene for most of the enchantment. The props include candles and fog. The chandelier and angel sculpture add to the classical, sophisticated decor of the opera. In every aspect of "The Phantom of the Opera," a mastermind created a spectacular production. Each aspect?dance, voice and orchestration?show thought and attention to every detail. Andrew Lloyd Webber is the theatrical genius behind The Phantom of the Opera." He researched the idea of the musical with Producer Cameron Mackintosh. The pair based the stage version on the novel "Le Fantome de L'Opera" by Gaston Leroux. Lloyd wrote the music to the finished product and Charles Hart wrote the lyrics. It first opened in London 1935 in a shortened version. It first hit the stage in full length in 1975. Since its opening, it has visited cities around the world. The music of The Phantom of the Opera" is an awe inspiring experience. The work of Lloyd, Hart and Leroux commands the audience's attention and it seems thafs what the audience wants. dlence ty surprise. \ X? Edge ILL PLAYOFFS 11/3 8:00pm B Man. 11/4 9:OOpm B 11/3 8:00pm C Wed. 11/6 9:00pm 11/3 9:00pm B I Mon. 11/4 9:00pm C ? 10/30 9:00pm C . .yd EDGFSHAVEGEL has six lubricants, sc cuts better than foe shave, it's just in th< ?> if. a * * I -. < * ' ? * i' " ved '> ' "/? . *. Friday, October 18, 1998 Carolina Culture USC School of Music Pianist Leon Bates and full orchestra, Oct. 22, 7:30 p.m. Concert will be held in the Koger Center. Tickets available at the Carolina Coliseum box office or by calling 251-2222. Faculty artist series?Stellar Jazz, Oct. 24,7:30 p.m., School of Music Recital Hall. Call 7774280 for more details. Faculty artist series?Ron Davis, tuba, Oct. 28,7:30 p.m., School of Music Recital Hall. Call 777-4280 for more details. McKissick Museum Muses Night Out, Wednesdays at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. These cultural arts programs are free and include light refreshments. Koger Center "Peter Pan and Other Works," Oct. 18-19. Tickets are $10 for senior citizens, military, USC faculty and staff, and $8 for students. Call 777-9353 for more details. "Grease," Oct. 26-27, 8 p.m. (Saturday) and 7:30 p.m. (Sunday). Tickets are $30 and $28. Drayton Hall "A Taste of Honey," Oct. 31Nov.10,8 p.m. ifflHSronTCMI FORMULA > it protects your skin from nicks and ims. For a closer, more comfortable i nick of time. EDGE* SHAVE GEL. SAVE YOUR SKIN. iB University of South Carolina Office of Campus Recreation 202 Blatt PE Center 777-5261