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<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">‘Phantom’ at
PlayhouseSquare: The long goodbye<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Bob
Abelman<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">News-Herald,
Chagrin Valley Times, Solon Times, Geauga Times
Courier<o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Member,
International Association of Theatre Critics <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">This
review appeared in the <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">News-Herald
</I>8/6/10</SPAN><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 95.25pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 95.25pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Naysayers have been
saying goodbye to the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">The Phantom of the Opera</I> since
1988.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 95.25pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 95.25pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">They said goodbye
shortly after it opened on Broadway amidst <SPAN
style="COLOR: black">accusations of plagiarism, </SPAN>an <SPAN
style="COLOR: black">avalanche of blasphemous self-promotion that lauded the
work as the heir to the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, and a <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">New York Times</I> review noting that the
show was “long on pop professionalism and melody, impoverished of artistic
personality and passion.”<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 95.25pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 95.25pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Still,
</SPAN><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Phantom</SPAN></I><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> persevered.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It earned seven Tony Awards, including
Best Musical, and has been performed over 9,000 times on the New York
stage.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It’s the longest running and
most financially successful Broadway show in history.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 95.25pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 95.25pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">They said goodbye in
1992, when it was announced that the $8 million production was going on national
and international tour, and that the road show was not skimping on production
values.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Many believed that a
production this large and cumbersome—involving 36 </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"
lang=EN-GB>cast members, a full contingent of crew and orchestra members, 230
costumes and 19 truckloads of scenery and technology—could not be profitable
outside of New York City.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 95.25pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"
lang=EN-GB><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 95.25pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"
lang=EN-GB>Yet, </SPAN><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Phantom</SPAN></I><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">
</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"
lang=EN-GB>has been seen by more than 100 million people in </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"
lang=EN-GB>144 cities and in more than 27 countries.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The U.S. touring company’s five-week
engagement in Cleveland, which opened last week in PlayhouseSquare’s Allen
Theatre, is its fifth visit to our city since 1993. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 95.25pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"
lang=EN-GB><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 95.25pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"
lang=EN-GB>They are saying goodbye now.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>The current production, being hailed the “Farewell Tour,” ends for good
in Los Angeles in November. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 95.25pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"
lang=EN-GB><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"
lang=EN-GB>For those who are not one of the 600,000 Clevelanders to have <SPAN
style="COLOR: black">seen this show, </SPAN></SPAN><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Phantom</SPAN></I><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">
</SPAN></I><SPAN class=bodytext1><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
color=#030303>tells the tale of a deranged and hideously deformed musical
genius, who lurks in the forgotten catacombs beneath the stage of the Paris
Opera House in 1911.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He falls in
love with the young soprano, Christine, and devotes himself to creating a new
star for the Opera by secretly nurturing her talents and paving performance
opportunities through a reign of
terror.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN class=bodytext1><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
color=#030303 size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Phantom</SPAN></I><EM><SPAN
style="FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #030303; mso-bidi-font-style: italic">
</SPAN></EM><SPAN class=bodytext1><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
color=#030303>tells the tale melodramatically and with a dark, gothic timbre,
complete with grotesque gargoyles standing guard from the proscenium arch
courtesy of scenic designer </FONT></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Maria Bjornson<SPAN
class=bodytext1><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
color=#030303>.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Its atypical show
tunes are at once operatic and contemporary, with melodies that are delightful
but employed so repeatedly throughout the production that they become both
haunting (the intent) and irritatingly redundant (the consequence).<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN class=bodytext1><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
color=#030303 size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN class=bodytext1><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
color=#030303><FONT size=3>The touring company delivering this mega-musical is
top-notch in every way.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN class=bodytext1><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
color=#030303 size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><SPAN class=bodytext1><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
color=#030303>The production is </FONT></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">voluptuous<SPAN class=bodytext1><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
color=#030303> </FONT></SPAN></SPAN>and detailed stagecraft that will knock the
socks off of the most stoic theatergoer.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>The massive, color-saturated Opera House sets complete with a grand
staircase and velvety curtains, the Phantom’s monochromatic and candelabra-laden
secret lair, the brilliant and beautiful costuming and lighting, and assorted
special effects are all first class eye candy.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>The staging, set to
Harold Prince’s original direction and Gillian Lynne’s original choreography, is
dramatic and the epitome of theatricality and precision. There is never a dull,
flat or wasted moment on stage. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The
orchestra is superb as well—full bodied and well
disciplined.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>The production values are
so rich and spellbinding that it is easy to overlook the story’s unabashed
simplicity and Lloyd Webber's penchant for filler material that showcases his
musical compositions and opera parodies.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN class=bodytext1><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
color=#030303 size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN class=bodytext1><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
color=#030303><FONT size=3>A cast consisting of A-team players with either
Broadway or extensive national tour experience has the same hypnotic
effect.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN class=bodytext1><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
color=#030303 size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN class=bodytext1><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
color=#030303><FONT size=3>Everyone is in fine voice and no one is pacing
themselves or saving their best stuff for the L.A. grand finale.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The ensemble and featured character
actors—particularly Paloma Garcia-Lee as Christine’s friend Meg, D.C. Anderson
and Michael McCoy as the Opera House’s managers, Nancy Hess as the dance
mistress, and Luke Grooms and Kelly Jeanne Grant as the opera divas—are as
strong as the lead players, who are exceedingly
strong.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN class=bodytext1><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
color=#030303 size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>Tim Martin Gleason is
mesmerizing as the Phantom.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>His
expressive voice, physical grace and sensuous hands nicely convey his desire for
Christine as well as his deep-rooted emotional torment.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He brings a commanding presence and
weighty pathos to the role.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>As
Christine, Trista Moldovan is delightful.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Although her delicate soprano is no match for Gleason’s tenor, she has a
beautiful voice and is an absolute pleasure to watch on stage.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Sean MacLaughlin as Raoul, Christine’s
dashing love interest, is also wonderful—a dynamic and talented performer.
</FONT></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"
lang=EN-GB><BR style="mso-special-character: line-break"><BR
style="mso-special-character: line-break"></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"
lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 95.25pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"
lang=EN-GB>Despite its long goodbye and this tour’s “Farewell” denotation, there
is word that the </SPAN><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Phantom</SPAN></I><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">
<SPAN lang=EN-GB>tour will be back on the road after a major overhaul to upgrade
its 20-year-old technology and streamline a production increasingly
cost-inefficient to transport. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 95.25pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"
lang=EN-GB><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 95.25pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"
lang=EN-GB>It will be hard to improve on this production at the Allen
Theatre.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This one is worth seeing
for those looking for a taste of a big Broadway musical and for the many repeat
</SPAN><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Phantom</SPAN></I><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">
<SPAN lang=EN-GB>phans.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 147.75pt"
class=MsoNormal><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The Phantom of the
Opera </SPAN></I><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">continues through
August 22 at PlayhouseSquare’s Allen Theatre.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>For tickets, which range from $10.00 to
$87.50, call (216) 241-6000 or visit <A href=""><FONT
color=#0000ff>www.playhousesquare.com</FONT></A>.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>