Phantom of the Opera

I have loved Phantom since I was a kid and finally getting the chance to see it performed live was amazing. The whole cast was completely on point and the stage/​effects were really lovely. I just wish I could have sang along the entire time but I did not want to outshine the cast.

Went to see The Phantom of the Opera musical in January and it was wonderful! The choreography, set design and cast was spot on! The orchestra did an amazing job also! We sat in the first row of the balcony and had nothing to block our view so I would highly recommend those seats.

HOLY MOLY!!! What an incredible experience! After I saw Wicked a few years back, I thought I would never see a musical that could possibly top it. But ladies and gents, Phantom of the Opera just might have done it for me…
I was initially disappointed when I saw that an understudy was playing the roll of the Phantom for our showing. But when our Phantom started singing, I soon realized that I would not be gypped. He sounded amazing, as did the entire cast! I’m quite familiar with the music since it plays on my Pandora frequently, and I dare say that the actors that night sounded even better than the tracks, particularly the actress who played Christine. Soooo good!!!
So yes, music was awesome. But personally, what is most memorable was the set. I won’t spoil here, but the set rotated from scene to scene so seamlessly, yet so dramatically that it was nothing short of captivating.
There are very few musicals that I’d want to re-​watch. I saw Wicked twice. I would gladly see Phantom of the Opera a second time… probably a third. =D

This musical was incredible. I highly recommend you get your booty in gear and go see it! We had amazing second row tickets, but I do not think they had a bad seat in the house. The Cadillac Palace was a great venue for this show!

The set design is FANTASTIC and the reason to see this play. The costumes were also very good. The story is interesting but I’m at a bit of a loss to see why it’s considered to be such a classic. The person who played Christine was very good. The best song of the night was ‘Masquerade’.

I have been wanting to see this performance for a very long time. They did an amazing job with the costumes, choreography, music and backdrops. There happened to be some technical difficulties when I was there, but it was fixed promptly and the performance continued. I would recommend it to anyone at least 1 time.

So Excited!
The first time I had seen Phantom Of the Opera here in Chicago was
in the year 2008 at The Magnificent Cadillac Palace Theater.
And I have been waiting for years for it to return to Chicago yet once again
because I truly considered /​consider it to be my favorite production of all time.
«
So, when my Aunt Arlene got us tickets I was so excited and she also got
us Suite Service which was quite special, this entitled us to appetizers and
an open bar 45 minutes prior to todays performance.
It was actually quite lovely, they had nice little slider type sandwiches and
I had Champagne, which gotta say is definitely my drink of choice.
Now, regarding this years production of The Phantom Of The Opera.
I had read that this was a brand new production this year but I was really
hoping they were’nt going to mess with the great production that they have
had running for all these years.
Whoa. Some pretty big changes this year in comparison to 2008’s
very opulent and elegant production.
They have made The Phantom Character younger this year, which is fine
because this guy is really incredible.
The sets were different, they seemed less extravagant, many on a smaller
scale for sure.
And, geez, not sure how or why they decided to cut out a key scene that had
been in all other prior productions but they did.
Sets were smaller, and I thought there was some new music added as well.
I have to admit, I pretty much cried through most of the play in 2008,
because. I truly am a romantic and it was so heartbreakingly tragic.
And, okay, I cried through Today’s production too.
Because, once you hear «The Music of the Night» and «Say you Love Me»
it just brings on the tears.
Andrew Lloyd Weber is Brilliant as far as I’m concerned…
So, all in all some fair amount of disappointment with this years production
of Phantom, but, I had a magnificent seat, Center Orchestra, 3^rd row
right in the center.
Also, be aware they use pyrotechnotronic devices which can/​will startle
you at points during, the performance as well.
So, I am home now, listening to the Phantom Of The Opera Soundtrack
on my I-​Pod, and what can I say?
I’m just a sucker for The Music of the Night…

My girlfriends and I went and saw Phantom of The Opera and let me tell you it was amazing. I was fortunate enough to get great seats and it made the experience even more worthwhile. The talented Cooper Grodin who played the Phantom was a dream and his voice was amazing and really touched me, I even cried as corny as it may sound. The cast is amazing all together and Christine also was absolutely amazing, her voice was out of this world. I highly recommend this Broadway Musical. I plan on going again before the tour is done.

[ January, 2014]
Sat in the balcony. The seats were good and sound of the orchestra (see below) was decent, but at times the singers were a bit muddled. It may have just been my location in the audience.
The cast did a great job, the set was amazing, but it would have been nice to see a full orchestra. For this run, there’s a handful of string players, a couple of wind players, and a few keyboards. Everything else is sampled and sequenced, so no… you are not hearing a live drummer, percussionist, or trumpets.

Got tickets on Christmas to see the Phantom, which we just saw last night. I’m not a huge musical person, so my review might be a bit skewed. As a guy, I had a bit of a hard time with the story line. Seemed all over the place. But, that is the writers issue. The actors in Chicago at the Cadillac Theatre were amazing. No complaints about the show, or the staff working there. It was a great time!

Wonderful experience. Lower balcony seats for only $ 55. We were stage left against the wall and the only two seats in our row, which I liked very much. Spectacular singing, wonderful to hear the classic songs, and I greatly enjoyed the intricate stage, set, and props.

Love the music. Good play. If you haven’t seen it, it’s pretty much a must. There are ads in the RedEye for discounts…

I must confess, I’m not big into Phantom of the Opera. I’ve never seen a live performance of it, and while I did enjoy the movie, I wasn’t overly impressed. So I was really going just to please a friend.
I am so glad I went!
The music was amazing. The leads were all perfectly cast; I don’t think I have ever enjoyed opera more. The costumes and the set were elaborate and completely gorgeous. I was in the balcony in some of the cheapest seats available, and I was still able to see everything perfectly.
I had a few complaints though, which is why I only gave 4 stars.
The sound could have been better. Christine and the Phantom could be heard perfectly, but some of the minor characters could not. The stagehand (who has a short song), Meg, the ballet teacher/​mistress, and even Raoul could not be heard very well. Also, during the song Prima Donna, there are several characters all singing different parts, but rather than create a nice contrast, it just created a big mess that left everything unintelligible.
Another complaint was the dancing. The dancing was definitely sloppy in parts. It could be that it was choreographed that way, especially in the beginning during a rehearsal, but if that’s the case, it was a horrible decision.
The make-​up was very hit-​and-​miss. In some parts the make-​up was simply amazing, for example during the masquerade, but the Phantom’s facial infection at the end looked ridiculous. I know I was in the balcony, but if I could see everything else, I should definitely be able to see his deformity!
Finally, the acting was only decent. I understand that in order to get that kind of singing, acting must be sacrificed; it is an opera after all, but since I’m reviewing it, I’ll say it. The acting could be a little better.
So, with all that out of the way, it was still completely amazing! I’d definitely recommend that everyone see it before it’s run is over!

I’m not sure it’s kosher to review a show as opposed to the venue it’s held in. But rules are meant for breaking… so on with the show!
Out with summer, in with fall… and with the cold surely still must come something HOT. The longest running production in Broadway has returned to Chicago for a US winter run at the Cadillac Theatre. The lavish sets, beautiful costumes, amazing arias and crashing chandeliers will run weekly through January 6^th of ’08.
The girls and I got dressed up for a night out at the theatre to experience the beauty and tragedy of Andrew Lloyd Webers most well-​known love story. Our seats were good (not great) but every vantage point seemed decent at a minimum at the Cadillac. This years cast did a phenomenal job… both leads, the Phantom (John Cuida) and Christine (Sarah Jean Ford) were spectacular… their voices seemed unreal. My operatic shower singing is laughable at best… so a performance of this caliber is truly awe-​inducing.
The entire ensemble was perfect for the entire show… the dancing, singing and special effects are what still keeps this show in action for 20+ years.
My only complaint came from the volume level in the Cadillac. Totally not the fault of the cast (more likely a sound tech)… but we were straining to hear several portions of dialogue and song that were intentionally spoken/​sung at a lower level. The only time you really could enjoy the sound was when someone was belting out their part at top range. Nothing a little tweaking could not fix though…
I encourage everyone to get tickets while they last… although I’m sure Phantom will be back to Chicago someday, it’s a great treat while they are here now. Plus having those songs stuck in your head is much better than any jingle or Britney Spears song I can think of!