2-25-2023 4:56pm

Evalino Productions Phantom of The Opera sells out all performances

Dr. Anton Anderssen Editor

Evalino Productions Phantom of The Opera

Village Theatre at Cherry Hill

Canton Michigan

The Phantom of the Opera, one of the longest-running shows on Broadway, has captured the imagination of audiences since its debut in 1986. Based on the 1910 novel by Gaston Leroux, the musical tells the story of a disfigured musical genius who lives in the shadows of the Paris Opera House and falls in love with a young soprano, Christine. The musical explores themes of love, obsession, power, and identity, and its social and cultural implications are far-reaching.

One of the most significant social implications of The Phantom of the Opera is its portrayal of disability and deformity. The Phantom is depicted as a disfigured man who is ostracized by society and forced to live in the shadows. This representation of disability has been criticized for perpetuating negative stereotypes and stigmatizing people with disabilities. However, the musical also presents a complex and sympathetic portrait of the Phantom, showing the audience that he is more than just his deformity.

The Phantom's struggle for acceptance and love speaks to larger cultural issues surrounding identity and social inclusion. The musical raises questions about the way we view and treat people who are different from us, and the importance of recognizing and valuing diversity. The Phantom's story reminds us that everyone deserves to be seen and heard, regardless of their appearance or abilities.

Another important lesson that can be gleaned from The Phantom of the Opera is the dangers of obsession and the abuse of power. The Phantom's obsessive love for Christine leads him to commit acts of violence and manipulation, and his desire to control her ultimately leads to his downfall. The musical shows how unchecked obsession and the abuse of power can lead to destructive behavior and have severe consequences.

Furthermore, The Phantom of the Opera also explores the theme of the objectification of women in the entertainment industry. The character of Christine is a talented singer who is objectified by the male characters in the story, who see her as a commodity to be won or controlled. This objectification is a reflection of broader cultural attitudes towards women in the entertainment industry, where their talents and abilities are often overshadowed by their appearance and sexual appeal.

The Phantom of the Opera also demonstrates the power of music as a unifying force that can transcend social and cultural barriers. The musical celebrates the beauty and power of music, which can bring people together and bridge divides. The music in the show serves as a reminder of the importance of art and culture in our lives, and the ways in which they can enrich and inspire us.

The Phantom of the Opera is a powerful reminder of the role of art and culture in our lives and the ways in which they can help us understand and navigate the complexities of the world around us. It is now on stage at The Village Theatre at Cherry Hill in Canton Michigan.

This show is possibly the best performance ever seen on the Village Theater stage by a community theatre. The technical challenges were met with precision and Evalino productions always follow through in terms of serving their productions respectfully, and Director John Sartor has the experience and sensitivity to get what he needs from his actors by freeing them of obstacles and allowing them to take chances.

The chandelier: Evalino clearly doesn’t play around! This is a rented chandelier seen on national and international productions of Phantom. It is one of the technical highlights of the production. The crashing to the stage at the end of Act 1 made it appear as if would have to be rebuilt.

Riley Barbee, as Christine, has a voice which soars like a lark as it did when she was Dorothy in Wizard of Oz and Cosette in Les Miz with Evalino. Her acting abilities are far beyond the 14 year old that she is. Yes, for those who saw opening night…she is only 14!

Lori Allmon Gaedtke’s costume designs were impeccable, and the detail work on her constructions was spot on to the period. Evalino found a gem of a lady when they met Lori.
An elephant? They actually built an elephant and it’s too bad that it was only needed for a few minutes on stage! It was spectacular in appearance.

Ryan Buyers’ Raoul was wonderfully sung with his clean baritone, and is wonderful to watch on stage.

Noah Lee as Madame Giry is noted for her coldness as needed, and then her compassion plays out very well.

Tarrell Pearson and Issac Luebke as Firmin and Andre were a perfect match and their voices were wonderful.

Laila Jasinkiewicz played the Diva Carlotta with confidence and her rich coloratura soprano voice made it believable.

The ballet ensemble members were very precise as choreographer Danielle Di Nardo obviously worked them hard!

Autumn Paul was a lovely Meg.

Now comes the golden moment of this production - Mahdi Osseili as the Phantom. His passion on stage and vocal talents were a work of art. The Phantom has many emotional challenges, as well as vocally, and he captured it all. His “Music of the Night” was delivered with such sensitivity and precision that Michael Crawford would have been proud. He brought forth anguish and heart-wrenching pain. John Sartor told me that he is one of the most dedicated, professional actors with whom he has ever worked, in any level of theatre. His makeup, designed and applied by Marisa Diane, was professional production quality. It is indeed a 2 and a half hour process prior to each performance.

The Christines are Riley Barbee and Aubry McCurdy alternating performances; Danielle Di Nardo played Christine on the added Saturday matinee.

There were over 200 tickets sold before auditions, and all sold out in a few weeks, including an additional matinee.

Upcoming Evalino Productions:
The play that goes wrong May 5,6, and 7, 2023
Reviving Rocky Horror this October due to popular demand
Annie Jr… Thanksgiving weekend 2023
The Who’s Tommy February 2024
Follow the Evalino Productions Facebook page for details: https://www.facebook.com/EvalinoProductions