Reviewed by Joe Blenkle / Sacramento Stage & Theatre

    Randy Jackson - one of the judges on American Idol - has a regular saying -- "Dawg, it just didn't do it for me tonight. I don't know what's going on. It was just a little weird for me."
    That pretty much sums up my feeling for the final offering of the Broadway Sacramento series - The Phantom of the Opera - which runs through June 14 at Sacramento's Community Center Theater.
    I still consider The Phantom of the Opera one of those "must see" musical productions, but this production was just "a little weird" for me.
    This is the second time I've seen The Phantom of the Opera, the last time being in 1997 when the national tour came through Sacramento. Both the show and music made a real impact on me then, but this time through - a little less so.
    First the bad. The music was a little less dynamic than I remember from the last time.  I really remember the bass in The Phantom of the Opera theme rumbling through the theater. It didn't this time. It seems like the whole production suffered from a poor sound system. It wasn't terrible, but it didn't live up to what I remember from the production 11 years ago. On a related note, if there were more than a few characters singing at one time, it was somewhat hard to understand the words.  Solos and duets were fine. Again, I fault the sound system.  I've heard better in CCT productions, so I know it can be done.
    A lot of the success of The Phantom of the Opera comes from Andrew Lloyd Webber's fantastic musical score. With songs like "Think of Me," "Angel of Music," "The Music of the Night," and, of course, the title song "The Phantom of the Opera." It is by far the most memorable portion of this production. But the story of The Phantom of the Opera is a big part of the Phantom experience as well.
    Everyone probably knows the premise of the show - a mysterious "phantom" haunts the Paris Opera House, takes a beautiful young songstress under his wing, and guides her career from behind the scenes, all the while falling in love with her. His obsession fuels his insanity as he resorts to murder to further her career and finally kidnaps her, taking her to his lair via a boat in one of the most memorable scenes of the musical.
    Stephen Tewksbury, who plays the Phantom, is no stranger to the production. He played the Joseph Buquet character on Broadway. He was absolutely riveting as the tortured soul that is the Phantom - the deformed musical mastermind that wants to possess the lovely Christine, but in the end realizes that if he really cares for her he must let her go.
     Christine Daaé is played by Sara Jean Ford in the early Sacramento appearances, but the role will be filled by Marni Raab and Kelly Jeanne Grant in some performances during the Community Center Theater run.  Ford was another perfect fit in this role, playing the young and beautiful object of the Phantom's obsession.  She has an absolutely beautiful voice that melded well in her duets with the Phantom and Raoul, Christine's childhood sweetheart who has once again swept her off her feet.
    Greg Mills fills the role of Raoul in this production and has spent time on both Broadway, regional productions, and tours of a number of Andrew Lloyd Webber productions. He has the strong, handsome look - just right for that of Christine's lover and protector.
    Also of note in the show is a relative newcomer playing the role of Meg Giry - Jessi Ehrlich. Meg is Christine's best friend - and part of the ballet chorus. While not a major character, she has a lot of stage time and is an excellent singer and dancer with her ballet background.
    As Raoul and Christine make there escape from the Phantom's lair, it's Meg who discovers the Phantom has once again disappeared.
    While this production of The Phantom of the Opera was less than what I remember from 11 years ago, it still should be considered a "must see" show and is an excellent way for Broadway Sacramento to end its 2007-08 season. The cast received a well-deserved standing ovation for their performance, but not until the primary characters came out. Sara Jean Ford seemed to be the catalyst for the crowd to jump to their feet,  but the whole cast was worthy of the ovation.
    Performances are Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m. with matinees Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. There will be an additional performance on Monday, June 9 at 8:00 p.m.
    Ticket prices range from $17.50 to $70 and are on sale at the Wells Fargo Pavilion box office, 1419 H Street, the Community Center Theater box office, 1301 L Street, all tickets.com outlets, online at tickets.com or call (916) 557-1999, (916) 808-5181, or (800) 225-2277. Group orders (minimum 12 or more) may be placed by calling (916) 557-1198.