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Theater & Arts
theater review
‘Phantom’ retains its dramatic vitality in Schuster performance
By Terry Morris,
Staff Writer
Updated 12:09 AM Monday, June 14, 2010
DAYTON — It should be easy to take “The Phantom of the Opera” for granted these days.
Broadway’s longest-running musical has been a brand name for a generation. It remains one of the biggest, but is far from one of the newest.
It’s a good thing producers of the national tour that returned to Dayton for the first time in seven years on Wednesday, June 9, aren’t taking their old standby for granted.
Judging by performances, production values and audience satisfaction with the official opening night performance at the Schuster Center on Friday, June 11, everyone involved is still committed to the excellence that has always set the show apart.
It’s almost part of natural aging and evolution for a road musical with as many technical demands as this one to begin going through the motions and taking shortcuts.
Anyone who saw the multiple tours of “Les Miserables” that came through Dayton witnessed that phenomenon. “Phantom” has only been here twice, however, and both visits have proven distinguished.
That was most obvious this time in the leading performances.
As the Phantom, Tim Gleason’s masked and unmasked man was equal parts anger and vulnerability, an effectively unstable combination that made him dangerous while also providing an opportunity for the leading lady and audience to care about him. That’s crucial.
Trista Moldovan’s soprano voice was lovely, clear and expressive. While her movements about the stage seemed motivated by blocking directions more than impulse, her Christine was totally believable as a young woman caught between her greatest opportunity and, potentially, her most treacherous threat.
Sean MacLaughlin’s Raoul stood out as a young man of substance — someone to take seriously when he promised the unseen Phantom he would fight for Christine. He was no pushover.
Kim Stengel’s Carlotta had operatic oomph without ever crossing the line to comic book figure. She was far more than just a diva. Her portrayal was less histrionic than others have been.
Time hasn’t sapped the romance from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s score. Songs including “Think of Me,” “Music of the Night” and “All I Ask of You” worked their expected magic.
Sets and costumes for the two-act, 150-minute production remain impressive.
If you’ve seen “Phantom” before, this one should please you. If you haven’t, here’s your chance to sample musical theater history.
“Phantom” will continue through June 27 at the Schuster Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $31-$83 at (937) 228-3630 or www.ticketcenterstage.com.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2377 or tmorris@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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