The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, October 18, 1996, Page 4, Image 4
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
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DECEME
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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
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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/
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Wed. 10/30 9:00pm B
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'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
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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
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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