by
Brtoadway in Detroit photos by Matthew Murphy
There are musicals with more thrilling storylines. Shows with fancier choreography. Maybe even a stronger collection of songs.
But The Phantom of the Opera, staged through Jan. 22 at the Detroit Opera House, has numbers that are as special as any in modern Broadway lore.
The thing you notice throughout this rendition of Phantom are the sets. They are simply magnificent. When the title character seems to be stuck on a landing near the ceiling, the set literally comes to life. A stair magically appears, then another, leading all the way back down to the stage. It’s a striking visual and one you are not expecting. Little touches like these pepper the action throughout the evening and it keeps the eyes of the audience on the lookout at all times.
There’s even a Sea World element to the proceedings. Just like at the famous theme park where the giant whale could deliver a splashdown to any patron in the first 15 rows, Phantom makes use of a show-stopping chandelier. At first, it appears to be a standard variety light fixture -- ugly, even. But in the show’s opening moments, the chandelier begins to slowly descend toward the crowd. If you happen to be in one of the rows directly below, there’s even a legitimate worry that it won’t stop in time.
But alas, it does come to a halt, and in the process, sheds its previously unsightly exterior and transforms into a glistening ball of light. If you didn’t know any better, you’d think this was Times Square on New Year’s Eve. Later in the evening, the chandelier becomes involved in the action again, with unexpected sound effects that both shock and excite the audience.
Cherished Song
Of course, no review of Phantom of the Opera should skip the hauntingly beautiful “Music of the Night.” It is not just the best number in this show, but quite possibly one of the most cherished and well-regarded songs in Broadway history.
Derrick Davis, a stage veteran who previously played Mufasa in The Lion King, is a brilliant Phantom. He lets the drama build during “Music of the Night” -- patiently but powerfully -- allowing the rapt audience to relish each note and syllable of the song. You could hear it 100 times and be just as captivated on the 101st.
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s masterpiece isn't known for master plotting or unpredictable twists.
There is a story, of course, and it is perfectly adequate. There is romance and action and humor. But the strength of Phantom has been and will continue to be the music. It’s not a knock on the production by any means. If anything, it’s a testament to the beauty and raw emotion of Webber’s score. The theater could be pitch black, with only the instruments and voices present, and it would still be worth the price of admission.
But of course, the theater is not dark. It is rife with reds and yellows and sporadic bursts of flames. The show is a visual delight, and the unforgettable musical arrangements tie all of the elements together.
This musical has been playing to rave reviews since its London debut in 1986. One might think that a show would begin to lose steam after 30 years of performances: but when a piece of art is timeless, there is no shelf life to speak of. The words and melodies in Phantom of the Opera are just that, which is why it likely won’t be leaving us anytime soon. And for that, as a show-going public, we are most grateful.
► Schedule: Tuesday-Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Saturday matinee, 2 p.m.; Thursday matinee, 1 p.m.
► Tickets: Available here.
