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"Phantom" continues at the Canyon Theatre Guild through Oct. 31 with performances on Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., a couple Saturday matinees and Sunday matinees. Check the Web site, www.canyontheatre.org, for specifics. There will be costume contests at both performances on Halloween, Saturday, Oct. 31. At the evening performance there will also be a Halloween party with a cash bar. Ticket prices range from $10 to $17. The theater is located at 24242 Main St. in Newhall and the box office number is (661) 799-2702.
Escape Editor
jwalker@the-signal.com
Posted: Oct. 1, 2009 1:35 p.m.
Put down your paper, get off the couch and make your reservations for "Phantom" at the Canyon Theatre Guild. This is one production you don't want to miss.
It is magnificent.
Good night. End of review. Turn out the lights. Well, OK, maybe I'll offer a little more on why you should see this musical. Working up....
Reason to go #6: This is not the story you've seen before. Yes it is based on the book "Phantom of the Opera," as was the musical version you've seen on stage or at the movies. And yes it follows the same basic plot line, with the Phantom being Christine's vocal instructor and protector. But the characters are different enough, the situations are different enough and the songs are completely different. It is familiar, but fresh - and in places funny. And it is supremely moving.
Director Patti Finley said she and her husband Greg Finley saw this version of the "Phantom" story four or five years ago in Downey. "We just cried," she said. "The second act -- we just fell in love with it. We've been trying to get the board here to do it for three years. Because I love it so much, I directed it."
First presented in Houston in 1991, this musical has been produced more than 1,000 times, and Finley noted that writer Arthur Kopit has said, "It's the most popular musical never to be on Broadway."
And yet, in this writer's opinion, here at the CTG it was as good as Broadway - but with better seats.
Reason to go #5: I have no idea how they do it, but I could have sworn there was an orchestra in the house. The music was orchestra-full and flawlessly presented.
Reason to go #4: The CTG stage has a limited amount of space and yet it felt Broadway-sized as it was transformed time and time again into settings as diverse as the catacombs below the opera house, a Paris street, dressing rooms and woods. This was accomplished with speed and a minimum of bustle between scenes with the rearrangement of rolling set background segments. (And the "minions" who accomplished this did it in the dark!) These set pieces were impressive in their artistry, whichever scene they presented. Add to this the effective use of lighting and colorful 1895 Parisian costumes, and you enjoyed visual delights throughout.
Reason to go #3: The story presented in "Phantom" is, as I mentioned, familiar. You know pretty much where it is going. But things are just different enough to bring surprises. In particular this is brought about by the characters Cholet and Carlotta, who take over the opera house at the start. They, and especially Carlotta, add a comic element that plays off the melodrama nicely.
Reason to go #2: The scenes generally move along quickly in this production, especially those without a song in them. The actors must deliver their lines and get off the stage. This they all do in character like the pros they are. And when the meaty scenes are presented, where the dialogue and interactions are taken to a deeper level, things are very emotionally involving. As proof, I noted there was quite a bit of sniffling going on in the audience as the story wound to a close.
Reason to go #1: Your number one reason to go and see "Phantom" is the singing. I was blown away by the vocal ability of the leads, the other solo (or duet) singers and of the chorus. I think my mouth dropped open during the opening scene, featuring the full cast in "Melody De Paris." The setting, choreography, song and music combined to be as good as anything I've seen on much larger stages. I actually jotted down, "I hope it continues to be this good." Well it did - and more.
As usual, space prevents a full allotment of kudos to the large cast. Though each cast member deserves special recognition for acting, singing, dancing and even set-moving, I will only touch on three.
Laura Lanoil plays Carlotta. As the self-centered and puffed-up diva wannabe, she is often over the top and perfectly, hilariously, so. In her songs she is required to sing professionally, but with just the hint of shrill to suit her character, and this Lanoil does to perfection. That takes skill.
Jill Kocalis Scott plays Christine Daee and, OMG, can this girl sing. From small notes to huge, she hits them all with a skill and power that brings this production to life. Wow!
George Chavez plays Erik, the Phantom. Always behind a mask, his emotions must ring through without facial presentation, and this he does well through voice and body language. But, as with Kocalis Scott, Chavez' singing carries the show. I've heard him sing before, but never with this kind of operatic power. Truly amazing and moving.
Go see "Phantom."
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