Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams
Purge your thoughts of the life you knew before
Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar
And you’ll live as you’ve never lived before…
Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in
To the power of the music that I write
The power of the music of the night
– The Phantom, The Music of the Night
He cuts a dashing figure, part Zorro, part Batman, part Antonio Banderas, part Gerard Butler. The Phantom of the Opera seduces that part in us that is drawn to risk, to danger, decadence and the dark side of life.
Those of us who have ever flirted with evil (C’mon, who hasn’t been mean even just once in his life) and enjoyed it (and trooped to the confession box or the gym immediately after) will find in The Phantom of the Opera an absolution of sorts, an understanding why even the most angelic among us are attracted by the phantoms in and amid us.
Presented in Manila by Smart Infinity and Citibank, in cooperation with Philippine Airlines as the official carrier, The Phantom of the Opera tells the story of a disfigured musical genius known only as “The Phantom” who haunts the depths of the Paris Opera House. Mesmerized by the talents and beauty of a young soprano — Christine — the Phantom lures her as his protégé and falls fiercely in love with her. Unaware of Christine’s love for Raoul, The Phantom’s obsession sets the scene for a dramatic turn of events where jealousy, madness and passions collide.
The Phantom, though he may look like Banderas (who had sung some of the Phantom’s songs with Sarah Brightman in the US) and/or Butler (who portrayed him in a 2004 film adaptation of the same title), isn’t always a creature in our midst. Sometimes, a Phantom dwells in us, in the darkest recesses of our mind, in the deepest chambers of our heart. And it is disfigured. Sometimes, we descend with the Phantom to the depths of irrationality, the way Christine retreats to the labyrinths of the Paris Opera House with the Phantom.
For now I find,
The Phantom of the Opera is here,
Inside my mind
And in this labyrinth
Where night is blind
The Phantom of the Opera is here
Inside my mind
Who to unmask the Phantoms that tempt us? Who to rescue us from the Phantoms inside our mind? Conscience, breeding, good influences? Our own Raoul? We can always neutralize the Phantom — if we are strong enough, brave enough, wise enough. And if our Phantoms are noble enough (an oxymoron) to let us out of their grip, then we can return to the “garish light of day” and see the light of reason.
Or does light really usher in reason? What if our Phantom brings out the best in us, the way the Phantom brought out the best in Christine? I know of some people who were rooting for the Phantom instead of Raoul.
In life, we have to see through the masks people wear, to look beyond their scars and their callouses. Ultimately, physical beauty could be the greatest, most deceptive mask of all.
And the Phantom could be you.
***
With my husband by my side, I sat mesmerized for over two hours by the staging of The Phantom of the Opera at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and was swept off my feet by the spectacular music of the night of the genius Andrew Lloyd Webber under the superb direction of Harold Prince.
My eyes lit up like the giant chandelier onstage with the spectacular sets and the seamless transition from one scene to the other — from the opulent main theater of the Opera House to the darkness of its bowels that the Phantom calls home.
Remember, it was the Paris Opera House (which is actually 17 stories high) being recreated here, from the stage, to the lake seven stories below it and the roof above it. It is said that when atop the Opera House, you can gaze directly at the people on top of the Eiffel Tower.
***
The Phantom of the Opera is the longest-running musical on Broadway, and is in its 26th year in London’s West End. Acclaimed as the world’s most successful musical, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s masterpiece has been seen by more than 130 million people worldwide. Audiences in the Philippines are experiencing this legendary musical for the first time.
In announcing the season extension, producer James Cundall, CEO of Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, said, “It is an enormous privilege to bring The Phantom of the Opera to the Philippines for its premiere. I have always believed that audiences here will embrace this unforgettable show and love it as much as I do.”
With 130 cast, crew and orchestra members, jaw-dropping scenery, breathtaking special effects and more than 230 costumes by international designer, the late Maria Björnson, The Phantom of the Opera delivers a world-class production.
Joining the international cast and orchestra are some of Manila’s talented local musicians who have been specially selected by Guy Simpson, the musical director, during auditions conducted in Manila earlier this year.
Alongside these Filipino musicians, the talented Filipino tenor, Dondi Ong, is joining the international touring cast for Manila and further seasons throughout Asia.
***
How does The Phantom of the Opera end? The Phantom (portrayed powerfully by Jonathan Roxmouth) gives Christine an ultimatum — stay with him or her fiancé Raoul will die. How that conflict is resolved by the Phantom, Christine and Raoul brings to the fore all that is good and bad in mankind, and they duel like angry flames in a fire.
Like the Phantom, the musical’s ending is an enigma. But you will leave the theater with your “soul in flight” with the power of the music of the night.
For truly, as I sat there, mesmerized and seduced by the music, I succumbed to the night and wished it would never end.
(Due to exceptionally high demand, The Phantom of the Opera in Manila will have its season extended until Oct. 14 at the CCP Main Theater. For inquiries, call 891-9999.)
(You may e-mail me at joanneraeramirez@yahoo.com.)