I went and saw The Phantom of the Opera today in Charlotte. It was AMAZING! It was one of those strange, fulfilling moments as well. You see, I grew up listening to the soundtrack. At the age of five my favorite song was "Phantom of the Opera" and I could sing along perfectly with Christine's part (Annnd, now you know why I love sad stories). I've seen the movie several times, and adore it, but the stage production was very different. I knew what to except in part from my mother and my sister's narrations of it, but it was still awe inspiring. It was a traveling show, so not all of the effects were really fancy, but I saw a little bit of what they could have been. I want to see a show where the chandelier actually swings out over the audience into the roof, not just to the edge of the stage. Really though, it has one of the neatest sets I've seen or heard of. They make use of EVERYTHING to the fullest extent, and you're continually shocked and amazed by what moves and what isn't just a piece of furniture, but a trap door! My favorite part? The end, where Megi(?) picks up the mask and everything fades, but that. It was just such a neat effect!

On the other hand though, I didn't really care for the casting that much. It was the Phantom's first time (in that role), and it showed - he was also trying to imitate Gerard Butler (and it showed). He cleaned up during the second act though, and by the end he was amazing. Christine was very good, but her voice wavered too much, and it seemed like she was having to stretch to reach and hold those notes. Raoul? He was ok, I've never really paid much attention to his character really. I'm not fond of him for making Christine go through with the Phantom's Opera though. Mean man! Mean! Basically, I thought the voices in the movie were MUCH better, but since I've been told that the voices in the movie stink . . . We'll see. I'd like to see in in the Queen's theater in London, which is where it was written to be performed - that, I think, would be truly amazing.

So. Did I cry? Yes I did. Unashamedly. Like a baby. Do I love Phantom? Yes I do. More than I can possibly express. It's one of those things that makes me go "Squee!" and jump up and down with unconstrained joy.