Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular

 Spectacular says it all. This is the best production of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA anywhere or in any medium. For those of you who have been living away from civilization, Phantom is the mega- hit that has played everywhere in the world and was eventually made into a major motion picture. The musical is based on the classic story of a hideously deformed “phantom" who lives under the Paris Opera House and wrecks havoc with the inhabitants. Eventually he falls in love with a young chorine named Christine and tries to make her the reigning diva ”of the world of the Paris Opera.
 
     This is a totally new production of Phantom trimmed to a short but sweet 95 minutes. I didn’t miss the rest in fact I think it is more compact and thus more moving. What you get as an audience member is cascading sound of gorgeous music placed in a setting which elicits a strong sense of high art that lifts one, temporarily, from the chaotic world of the casino just beyond the door.

    The producers of Phantom have built a 40 million dollar home for the production in a lavish theatre in the Venetian Resort and Casino. From the moment you enter the theatre you are transported to the Paris Opera with its golden trimmed opera boxes filled with mannequins in period costumes, and twisted gargoyles with hideous faces, everywhere.
The mingling of beauty and horror is perfect for this presentation. They even top all other productions by having a chandelier in four parts that miraculously comes together only to make its famous fall later on. The theatre is totally state of the art and was created by the famed Rockwell Group.

     The cast is top notch. Brett Barrett, a Broadway veteran and star, plays the tortured Phantom. In my estimation he is one of the best actor/singers around.  His voice is magnificent and his acting is layered and textured. He is the most romantic and at the same time the most tortured Phantom I have seen. He takes risks in the role like dragging himself across the floor or kissing Christine, not once, but three times. His performance received a justly deserved standing ovation.  He alternates in the role with Tony Award -winner Anthony Crivello.

     At the performance I saw Kristi Holden sang beautifully as Christine. She alternates with Kristen Hertzenberg whom I had seen before and she too is wonderful.

     Phantom is the most successful theatrical endeavor of all time. It has made over 3 billion dollars and played more than 65,00 performances in 20 countries and 110 city. See it for the first time or the 2oth at the Venetian to get a brand new experience of the longest running show in Broadway history.

VENTIAN RESORT –HOTEL-CASINO 866 641 7469 or 702 414 9000