Two weeks ago Sean and I had the opportunity to go see The Phantom of the Opera on stage in Portland. Sean has always been a big fan and I fell in love with it more after seeing the movie. We've made it a tradition to see at least one Broadway musical a year and for the past 3 years now have see some of the major productions up in Portland at the Keller Auditorium. In '06 we saw Wicked - it was wicked awesome! Last year we saw Spamalot - hilarious! It was then that we saw the posters advertising the Phantom production - a full year in advance! From that point on, Sean kept an eye on the website and watched for the tickets to go on sale. In May I got an email for advanced ticket sales and the next weekend Sean went up after work (it helps that he has a head-start working in Salem) and hand-picked our seats. We ended up in row D - super close and great seats!My mom, Christine and her boyfriend, John, also went with us. Below is the picture of the chandelier that they raise out above the audience. The overture was definitely one of my favorite parts!
The stage is set for the auction scene when you first walk into the auditorium. Everything is dark and grey. The chandelier is covered by a large grey sheet and so are the sides and top of the stage. When the auctioneer says his "perhaps with a little illumination" line, two people throw the sheet back, their is a big spark and it slowly lights up and comes to life. The overture starts and the chandelier raises above the audience and all the sheets are removed to reveal the gold angel ornamentation of the old opera house. Meanwhile everything on stage is also transforming - angled curtains are raised back into position and the balconies appear. It was awesome. I got a little teary-eyed when the overture started because it was just so cool. One of my other favorite numbers was the actual "Phantom of the Opera" song - when the Phantom is leading Christine down into his lair. Thick fog starts rolling across the stage and candles appear in the 'water' - the Phantom rows out with Christine in his boat and it looks like he is gliding through the water. Phew. You have to experience it at some point in your life!
I'll share the rest of our Portland adventures when I get more pictures. We did leave our little guy home for the day - but he had a great time with great-grandma and great-grandpa Toftdahl. Apparently, he occasionally likes to pretend that he is the Phantom!
8 comments:
That's really cool that you guys go to a play every year. Awesome tradition...you're lucky to have a husband who likes them!
Phantom is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! Christi and I saw it here and it was amazing. I love the music.
It is so good!!!! I am glad that you guys got to go see it!!!
Oh I'm so jelous! Jeff and I love Phantom of the Opera and have been waiting to see it at the Hult Center ever since the movie came out. That's one thing I miss about living in Eugene. And I want to see Wicked. Glad you guys had fun and got to experience it!
I like your tradition! Phantom is one of my favorite shows- I've been lucky enough to see it twice on stage and when I went to Paris I made a point of visiting Box 5, the Phantom's box! hahaha ... nerdy. The underground lake is my favorite part of the stage show, I just love how they do that effect, and the candle rising out of the water- it gives me chills! I'm glad you got to see it, it's an experience!
Oh my goodness, how fun. I would love to go see the Phantom. Glad you had fun. I am so jealous!
A terrible musical as far as I'm concerned. But since you like it, I'm glad you enjoyed it.(I know that you already know my opinion Jenn-Jenn, but I posted it anyway).
I heart Phantom too! I saw it in Spanish when I was living in Madrid. Someday I'll have to see it in English. John's a good kid. Tell your sister that he's a keeper. :)
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