Hi Huneybees,
Thank you Base Entertainment Asia and Lunchbox Theatrical Productions for letting me cross off another to-do off my bucket list. It's been my dream to catch the legendary musical that got my interest in Broadway production and being able to do so with W (my ever so loving hubby), made the whole love story plot even sweeter.
For Huneybees who are unfamiliar with the story, Phantom of the Opera tells the tale of a disfigured musical genius known as 'The Phantom' who haunts the depths of Paris Opera House. During this time, he was mesmerized by the talents and beauty of a young soprano - Christine. He lures her to be his protege and seeks her love in return. Yet, when Christine showed love for her long love interest Raoul, the Phantom's obsession sets the scene for a dramatic turn where jealousy, passions, and madness combust into an epic tale of love.
While everything was so well thought of and planned for easy packing for the purpose of tours around the world, no details were forsaken. Right from the beginning, when the curtains pulled back, the golden wonder of the pristine stage replica of the theatre literally took my breath away as the chandelier rose to the ceiling. The entire set design was simply magnificent and intricate as though I was sitting there in the Paris Opera House!
Thanks to the backstage tour, I got to learn about how some of the magic unfold for Phantom of the Opera, To allow for the exchange of set between scenes fast, such as when the Phantom takes Christine down into the depths of opera, clever use of body doubles and silhouettes helps to create the catwalk movement.
Also, the smart use of candles peek from little trapholes on the floor helps to create a perspective as The Phantom's lair unveiled while he takes Christine on a boat, that is actually remotely controlled by a staff backstage, so there is no need to make tracks on the stage floors.
For me, Jonathan Roxmouth (The Phantom), Meghan Picerno (Christine Daaé) and Matt Leisy (Raoul) have such great chemistry on the stage and their vocals paired off with each other perfectly. Especially with Jonathan's low and strong baritone vocals in comparison with Meghan's high pitched soprano vocals, I get goosebumps every time they sing on stage as the nostalgia of playing back these musical tracks on the CD back in my college days seizes me!
Meghan played the sweet songstress so well that I can literally see her character grows on stage from the initial young little dancer in the back to become the main lead later in the play.
Also worth mentioning is the prima donna - Carlotta Giudicelli - for her high pitch range of vocals, which I feel is definitely on par with those of Christine's, making her such a strong character who I can't forget.
By now, Huneybees will already know that I have truly enjoyed myself watching The Phantom of the Opera at Sands Theatre in Marina Bay Sands Singapore. Even though the story has been told many many times before but watching the actors performing live on stage, the beautiful set and costumes and the hauntingly mesmerizing song pieces got me drowned in the theatre, made my virgin experience of the play so precious and spectacular. It's the first time I feel fully immersed in a production as though I was part of the story, it was such an emotional roller coaster for me, I even cried when Christine left the Phantom for Raoul...
While it has been the third time W watched this play, having caught the first two during his times in England donkey years ago, he was still as excited as I was when we watched The Phantom of the Opera here. He even hummed to the tune of the score over the last few days after catching the play!
Needless to say, we both love The Phantom of the Opera and will recommend this with our lovely Huneybess, whether if it is the first time you catch it or like W, having watched it before. Certainly, a good moment for a couple like us to spend a lovely evening date together!
The Phantom of the Opera will be in Singapore till 8 June at the Sands Theatre @ Marina Bay Sands. For ticketing details and more booing information, go to http://huneyzworld.blogspot.com/2019/04/facts-on-phantom-of-opera.html.
Thank you Base Entertainment Asia and Lunchbox Theatrical Productions for letting me cross off another to-do off my bucket list. It's been my dream to catch the legendary musical that got my interest in Broadway production and being able to do so with W (my ever so loving hubby), made the whole love story plot even sweeter.
The Plot
For Huneybees who are unfamiliar with the story, Phantom of the Opera tells the tale of a disfigured musical genius known as 'The Phantom' who haunts the depths of Paris Opera House. During this time, he was mesmerized by the talents and beauty of a young soprano - Christine. He lures her to be his protege and seeks her love in return. Yet, when Christine showed love for her long love interest Raoul, the Phantom's obsession sets the scene for a dramatic turn where jealousy, passions, and madness combust into an epic tale of love.
The Set
While everything was so well thought of and planned for easy packing for the purpose of tours around the world, no details were forsaken. Right from the beginning, when the curtains pulled back, the golden wonder of the pristine stage replica of the theatre literally took my breath away as the chandelier rose to the ceiling. The entire set design was simply magnificent and intricate as though I was sitting there in the Paris Opera House!
Thanks to the backstage tour, I got to learn about how some of the magic unfold for Phantom of the Opera, To allow for the exchange of set between scenes fast, such as when the Phantom takes Christine down into the depths of opera, clever use of body doubles and silhouettes helps to create the catwalk movement.
 |
| See how cool the staircase from the masquerade scene is being pulled up and kept behind the scenes. Easy for packing and also what a clever use for space... |
Also, the smart use of candles peek from little trapholes on the floor helps to create a perspective as The Phantom's lair unveiled while he takes Christine on a boat, that is actually remotely controlled by a staff backstage, so there is no need to make tracks on the stage floors.
The Cast
For me, Jonathan Roxmouth (The Phantom), Meghan Picerno (Christine Daaé) and Matt Leisy (Raoul) have such great chemistry on the stage and their vocals paired off with each other perfectly. Especially with Jonathan's low and strong baritone vocals in comparison with Meghan's high pitched soprano vocals, I get goosebumps every time they sing on stage as the nostalgia of playing back these musical tracks on the CD back in my college days seizes me!
Meghan played the sweet songstress so well that I can literally see her character grows on stage from the initial young little dancer in the back to become the main lead later in the play.
Also worth mentioning is the prima donna - Carlotta Giudicelli - for her high pitch range of vocals, which I feel is definitely on par with those of Christine's, making her such a strong character who I can't forget.
The Verdict
By now, Huneybees will already know that I have truly enjoyed myself watching The Phantom of the Opera at Sands Theatre in Marina Bay Sands Singapore. Even though the story has been told many many times before but watching the actors performing live on stage, the beautiful set and costumes and the hauntingly mesmerizing song pieces got me drowned in the theatre, made my virgin experience of the play so precious and spectacular. It's the first time I feel fully immersed in a production as though I was part of the story, it was such an emotional roller coaster for me, I even cried when Christine left the Phantom for Raoul...
While it has been the third time W watched this play, having caught the first two during his times in England donkey years ago, he was still as excited as I was when we watched The Phantom of the Opera here. He even hummed to the tune of the score over the last few days after catching the play!
Needless to say, we both love The Phantom of the Opera and will recommend this with our lovely Huneybess, whether if it is the first time you catch it or like W, having watched it before. Certainly, a good moment for a couple like us to spend a lovely evening date together!
The Phantom of the Opera will be in Singapore till 8 June at the Sands Theatre @ Marina Bay Sands. For ticketing details and more booing information, go to http://huneyzworld.blogspot.com/2019/04/facts-on-phantom-of-opera.html.
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