UNMASKING THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

September 5, 2012, 8 pm at the Cultural Center of the Philippines!  The day that my wife and me were waiting for! The day that we will unmask the Phantom of the Opera!

That afternoon, before my wife and me met in CCP, she texted me on what to wear.  We decided to come in casual dress.  But she changed her mind later and donned a black sleeveless dress coupled with black tights.  I stuck with my polo, jeans, black shoes and a fabric black jacket to keep me warm. I think we somehow managed to blend with the other spectators with our dress.

Sitting and waiting for the start of the show, I  asked my wife if the previous musical play that we watched in CCP no longer had curtains to break every scene of the play.  My wife answered me that she was not sure.  The reason for my asking was the curtains were already raised and the set design was already visible to the audience. Well, I realized that it is part of the innovations in staging a musical play.  That changing of the scenes and set unfold in one's very eyes, making it part of the show but not part of the story.

What I thought as the actual set design at the start of the play were just coverings of the real and spectacular set. The moment the play started and the opening number, the Phantom of the Opera was heard,  the look of  the theater in Paris was uncovered to us.  Not including the big chandelier which was slowly mounted up to the ceiling of the theater.

I think that just seeing the set design and how it changes from scene to scene is already worthy of one's time and money.  The production designer should really be creative to make the set design look authentic and convincing.  The scene where the Phantom was bringing Christine to his place was really impressive.  You will really feel that they were travelling a distance and sailing on a water because of the special effects.  

What more can you expect from a musical play but beautiful voices and poignant performances.  One does not only hear a voice but also witness a story when one hears the actors sing.  I think that the actor who played the phantom was so good that he made me sympathetic of him.  

While we were enjoying the musical, I felt a sense of gratitude to have this opportunity to watch a world  show.  To think that we no longer have to travel abroad just to experience a Broadway Production is so overwhelming.  

Of all the songs in the musical, the romantic All I Ask Of You is still  my favorite and my wife's.  Think of Me and Music of the Night are  also pleasing to the ears

After the, show the audience were cheering and giving the whole cast a standing ovation.  

To relive one's experience of the musical, there are souvenirs programs and items available for sale.  To us, the pictures are enough for us to remember this once in a lifetime experience.

After another round of picture taking, it was our stomach that we filled.  

While savoring the chicken and the show, my wife and me had one question in mind, what is next musical after The Phantom of the Opera? Watching a musical as beautiful as this, is what All I Ask Of my wife. Hehehehehe!