THEATRICAL SPLENDOR IN “THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA” AT WATERBURY'S PALACE

CHRISTINE (EVA TAVARES) AND THE PHANTOM (DERRICK DAVIS)
[PHOTO BY MICHAEL MURPHY

In a conspicuously immodest way, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber announces his presencewith the booming crash of a thousand pound chandelier, bedecked with 35,000 crystals, on the theatrical stage.  This time the platform is Waterbury's Palace Theater.  The dates are Wednesday, November 15 to Sunday, November 26 and the show is none other than that dramatically impressive musical "The Phantom of the Opera." Whether you are gliding underground in a dusty dungeon or captured in the glittering gleam of the Paris Opera House, you will be transfixed by the grandeur of this presentation.

Dramatic flair and theatrical splendor mark this tale that shines a light on a lovely young singer Christine, brought to life by  Eva Tavares who is the object of the phantom's fixation. He is thought to be a ghost who haunts the opera house, hiding behind a mask to conceal his deformities.  

With a bevy of devious tricks at his calling, the Phantom  masterfully created by Derrick Davis succeeds in terrorizing the entire company.  In this mysterious way, he hopes to entice Christine’s affections.  Unknowingly, she has pledged her heart to another, Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny, a captivating Jordan Craig, thus putting both of them in danger of receiving the Phantom's wrath.  

With amazing tunes like "The Music of the Night" that resound in the underground labyrinth where the Phantom resides and the fantastic New Year's Eve “Masquerade." this production is a classic favorite.  Through it all, Christine is the innocent victim of an unrequited love, one she neither seeks nor understands.

This is the stunning new Cameron Macintosh North American Tour that is touted to be bigger and more spectacular than ever, with new scenic design by Paul Brown, costuming by Maria Bjornson, lighting by Paule Constable , choreography by Scott Ambier and staging by Laurence Connor. A 52 piece orchestra soars with spectacular sounds to the rafters.  

For tickets ($48-125), call the Palace Theater, 100 East Main Street, Waterbury at 203-346-2000 online at www.palacetheaterct.org. PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE November 15 - 26:

Wednesday, November 15, 7:30pm; Thursday November 16, 1pm and 7:30 pm; Friday, November 17, 8pm: Saturday November 18, 2pm & 8pm; Sunday November 19 1pm & 6:30pm; Monday November 20, 7:30 pm:Tuesday November 21, 7:30pm; Wednesday November 22: 7:30pm; Friday, November 24, 2pm & 8pm; Saturday, November 25, 2pm & 8pm and Sunday, November 26, 1pm. 

Cautiously enter a world of darkness were you can examine the face behind the mask, the soul in the shadows, as you confront the disturbing genius of the Phantom of the Paris Opera House.