Phantom of the Opera arrives in Sacramento
Brad Little stars as The Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera playing at the Community Center Theater through July 5. Photo by Joan Marcus
    The waiting is finally over! Phantom of the Opera has arrived in Sacramento after nearly a year of hoopla and anticipation.
    The production, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Richard Stilgoe, opened at Sacramento's Community Center Theater May 29 with special preview performances preceding the "official opening" June 1. Even a gala ball and dinner was held be celebrate the coming of the Phantom. The production will play through July 5.
    I am always wary of stage productions that have been so publicized for months on end, but Phantom proved to be all it was made out to be, with an outstanding set, music and overall production.
    Sacramento's Phantom is only one of several companies either touring the United States or playing open-ended runs, but the performance and staging of this Phantom was flawless and the producers of the show strive to give the audience the same experience no matter where the show is playing.
Kimilee Bryant is Christine. The Phantom tries to guide her singing talent and falls in love with her in the national tour of Phantom of the Opera playing at the Community Center Theater through July 5. Photo by Joan Marcus
    In fact, some $300,000 in improvements were made to the Community Center Theater in advance of Phantom coming to town to accommodate the set and lighting. This will carry over to future productions to the benefit of Sacramento-area theater-goers.
    I found the beginning of Phantom to be a little confusing. Set in the Paris Opéra House in 1911, it took a few moments to realize an auction of theatre memorabilia was a jumping point to 30 years before when the Phantom ruled the premises.
    Brad Little plays the part of the Phantom and before joining the touring company in that role played Raoul in the Broadway production.
    Little did an outstanding job portraying the tortured "Angel of Music," and despite having the least stage time of any of the main characters, obviously stole the hearts of the crowd with his performance. He received a standing ovation as the cast came back on stage to take their bows.
    Cast in the role of Christine, the young songstress the Phantom has taken under his wing (and fallen in love with), is Kimilee Bryant.
    She is no stranger to the role, playing Christine in the Swiss premiere of Phantom recently, as well as portraying her on Broadway.
    Bryant has that young, innocent look about her that makes her perfect for this role, as well as having one of the most lovely voices to ever grace a Sacramento stage.
    Jason Pebworth plays the part of Raoul, who battles the Phantom for the affections of Christine and who must ultimately try to save her from the Phantom's lair underneath the theater.
    Phantom of the Opera won seven Tony Awards in 1988, including Best Musical, and it's easy to see why. It is a captivating story with the music you've come to expect from Andrew Lloyd Webber. The title song, "The Music of the Night," "Masquerade" and others are excellent and several scenes in Phantom like the descent below the theater and boat ride to the Phantom's lair are incredible to watch and draw you right into the story.
    Whether or not Phantom is the entertainment spectacle of the century like all the promotion leads you to believe is probably up to the individual.
    While I wouldn't rate it as the best musical I've seen come through Sacramento (I'm still in awe of last year's Jekyll & Hyde and Tommy, which ran during the 1993-94 season is another notable), Phantom is a unique theatre experience that shouldn't be missed.
    Performances continue through July 5 at Sacramento's Community Center Theater, 1301 L St., in downtown Sacramento. Tickets are priced at $16.50-$65. For more information, call the Music Circus/Broadway Series box office at (916) 557-1999.
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