The first show of the inaugural season for the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts has Orlando, Florida buzzing. The newly reworked Phantom of the Opera tour made it’s way into Downtown Orlando and into the Floridians hearts. After hearing about the show nonstop for the past week, I was excited to finally see what everyone was raving about!
When my friends and I first walked into the mostly glass Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, I saw the beautiful, curved staircase in the middle of the lobby. Bright colors like purple, orange, yellow, and pink are sprinkled throughout the décor. There is a wonderful, friendly atmosphere and an abundance of energy. The Walt Disney Theater is simply marvelous! Gold sparkles throughout the house, giving a rich and warm feeling. The stage is massive! Compared to Broadway theaters in New York City, it’s at least four times bigger than the average stage.
Once we had sat down in our fourth row seats, we began searching for the famous chandelier. It was located quickly when we looked directly up. We were right underneath the chandelier! SPOILER ALERT * When the Chandelier fell, we nearly screamed, it was about four feet from our heads when we stood at intermission! *
The show itself was spectacular and unlike everything I’ve ever seen. We had the alternate Christine, Celia Hottenstein, who was incredible! Her voice was clear and powerful. She really filled the theater. Chris Mann was our Phantom and as soon as he stepped onto the stage, he captured the audience’s hearts with just one look at his handsome face (or, half of a handsome face?). His looks were matched by both his fantastic acting skills and lovely voice. The cast in general blew my mind! There was never a moment of weakness in their performance. It was strong and extremely polished! Every dance move was sharp, yet fluid, and everyone was completely together.
A few days before I saw the show, I had the opportunity to have a master class with the dance captain, Tara Sweeney, and associate dance captain, Christopher M. Howard. We learned some of the choreography to Masquerade and had an interesting Q&A afterwards. Learning the choreography was fun, yet challenging! It reminded me how long it had been since I had danced. Our teaches assured us it took them a solid three days of eight hour rehearsals before they had gotten it down. The best part was creating our own masks! We didn’t create physical masks, but imaginary ones. There is a part in the choreography where the ensemble clumps together and slowly moves forward, using their hands to show some details of their masks. For example, someone in the cast has an elephant on his imaginary mask, so he shows it by pantomiming a large trunk extending from his nose.
The Q&A portioned consisted of different questions about training, becoming a swing, and touring. I took several things away from the Q&A portion.
1. Ballet classes are very helpful!
2. Your fellow performers on stage will help you if you need it.
3. Touring can be lonely, even with a hundred people with you. However, it’s worth it.
My Phantom experience has been phenomenal! I learned so much at the master class and the show was one of the best I’ve ever seen. I can’t wait to see the rest of the season at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts! (Book of Mormon, you’re up!)