The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher/Owner
In its fourteenth year and more than 50,000 performances, the excitement, emotion and quality of the fame stage production The Phantom Of The Opera has not lost its popularity or its enchantment.
Consistently, it plays to larger audiences and for longer periods than any other musical in history.
In Peoria Friday evening, as promised by Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Theatre Company, Inc. traveling from New York, the performance, the elaborate stage settings and props, and professionalism of The Phantom Of The Opera was superb as actors performed for their third evening of a 24 day-stretch at the Peoria Civic Center Theater.
The Phantom Of The Opera is being presented by the company at eleven different theaters throughout 2002 including Denmark, London, New York, Korea, Tucson, Des Moines, Portland, Costa Mesa, Oklahoma City, Nashville, and Peoria.
The success of this most moving and dramatic production, based on the classic novel by Gaston Leroux, is partially due from the wonderful music, the moving story, and the elaborate stage. The Phantom is a masked man who lurks beneath the catacombs of the Paris Opera House, frightening all who inhabit it.
He has fallen in love with a chorus girl, Christine, and writes notes of demands to the opera house owners, as he works to nurture her musical talent to fame.
Written by Andrew Lloyd Webber.... a name you will not forget once you have heard his beautiful music, the musical production was enhanced by the elaborate costumes, the surprises and suspense, and the intense character of the Phantom played by Ted Keegan and his wonderful tenor voice.
The 2 1/2 hours seem only a wonderful hour that was over too quickly. The moving voices and songs of Keegan and of Christine played by Rebecca Pitcher had the audience spellbound.
It is easy to see why this is one the most successful stage musical of all times and boosted two years ago of world wide ticket sales exceeding three billion dollars since its premiere October 9, 1986 at Her Majesty's Theatre in London.
Directed by Harold Prince, there seems to be nothing lacking. From musical staging, choreography, lights, sounds, props, and laughter to passion, tears, heart ache and suspense.
The comfortable seating and the beautiful Peoria theater makes for an enchanting evening you will long remember, as the intensity of the Phantom's love for his beautiful protegee and his music lingers on in your mind.
Check out the times for the performances at www.peoriaciviccenter.com or at www.ticketmaster.com or call the Peoria Civic Center Box Office at 309-676-8700 10 a.m.Ð5:30 p.m. Tickets run from $27.50 to $72.50.