Touring ‘Phantom’ too big to fail, too good to miss Bob Abelman Cleveland Jewish News, The News Herald, The Morning Journal Member, International Association of Theatre Critics In 1992, investors doubted that the Tony Award-winning “The Phantom of the Opera” would not be financially or theatrically successful outside of New York City and London’s West End. A touring production this large and cumbersome – involving 30 cast members, a huge contingent of crew and key orchestra members, and 20 truckloads of costumes, wigs, scenery, set pieces and technology – would not draw audiences and earn a profit if it skimped on its expensive production values and it could not earn a profit if it did not skimp on its expensive production values. Wrong on all fronts. For more of this review, go to www.clevelandjewishnews.com/columnists/.