For over 20 years I have wanted to see "The Phantom of the Opera" at the theatre. And Sarah was just as anxious to see the play after seeing the movie and falling in love with the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. So, a couple of months ago, we purchased 3 tickets for an afternoon at the Belks Blumenthal Performing Arts Theatre in Charlotte, and Sarah, Matthew, and I spent several hours being completely mesmerized by the performance.
Tim Martin Gleason plays the Phantom. His voice is powerful and his performance is outstanding. The passion he portrays as the Phantom is believable and entrancing.
Trista Moldovan plays Christine Daae, the love interest of the Phantom. She is beautiful, and her performance and voice are equally beautiful and mesmerizing.
Sarah and Matthew were sitting on the edge of their seats taking in every moment and every scene. This was the first time that any of us had seen the Phantom at the theatre and it did not disappoint. Belks Theatre is a beautiful place. I felt like I was sitting in a Mary Cassatt painting.
There were people dressed in gowns and people dressed casually, but we were all dressed for the theatre, and we all felt as though it were a special day just as I am sure Mary's sister felt when she attended the theatre.
Or how about this nice lady taking in the performance? She was smart. She brought a pair of binoculars to get a close up view. I not only forgot my glasses, I forgot my binoculars. I won't make that mistake again, and I hope there is an "again" someday.
Every detail from the costumes to the changing scenes were designed to perfection. The boat moving through the lighted path of fog that appears to be on water was incredible. At one point fire bursts from the floor of the stage and Matthew, Sarah, and I all jumped in our seats.
The music of Andrew Lloyd Webber is incredible. Sarah loves the song "Music of the Night" whereas my favorite is "Think of Me." We both have every song in our iTunes library.
The performance is in Charlotte until July 5th and will continue to travel the country. Hopefully, it will be in a theatre near you. If so, you really must go see it. It is a theatrical performance that you will remember for a lifetime.
