Melodie de Paris

Phantom in Concert

Gloriously incandescent singing voices and soaring orchestral accompaniment are the hallmarks of Artistic Director Jeffrey Cass’ incredible concert production of Maury Yeston and Arthur Kopit’s PHANTOM. Sadly, playing for just two weeks at Naperville’s BrightSide Theatre, this musical is based on the Gothic horror novel by Gaston Leroux. It tells the same story as Andrew Lloyd Webber’s more visually spectacular PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, now playing in Broadway in Chicago’s touring production at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. But the greatest difference is that BrightSide’s harmonic, highly enjoyable version of this book musical focuses far more on the characters and their story. It’s a production filled with soaring strains of music that doesn’t simply impress with bravado, as in the other version. The songs further the plot and define each character in a way that often brings the audience to laughter or tears. This is truly a captivating production, filled with Yeston’s “Melodie de Paris,” that absolutely should not be missed.

First serialized in the early 1900’s, Leroux’s beautifully tragic novel tells of a facially disfigured, masked musical genius named Erik. Hidden away from society, he’s believed to be the ghost who is haunting the Paris Opera House. A lovely, talented young street performer named Christine is discovered and brought to the opera house by handsome, wealthy Opera patron Count Philippe de Chandon. When Erik chances to hear Christine, a beautiful young soprano with a gloriously natural, but untrained, voice, he becomes obsessed with helping her develop her talent. During her secret lessons, during which Christine never sees her mentor’s masked face, Erik falls in love with the gifted young woman. He soon realizes that she has the same vocal finesse as his deceased mother, Belladova, and it stirs up fond memories of his childhood. The Opera House is unexpectedly bought by a Monsieur Cholet, so that his debatably talented wife, Carlotta, can star in all the productions. The beguiling plot is not only a tapestry of wonderful music, but a story filled with romance, jealousy, mystery and horror.

Since this is a concert production, Mr. Cass has staged the show with taste, simplicity and restraint. The result is that the audience gets to use their own imagination to envision the festivity of the Bistro, the splendor of the Paris Opera House and the gloom of its watery underground catacombs beneath the theatre. Thanks to Tim Elliott’s Sound Mix, theatergoers hear and envision all kinds of events, namely the infamous falling chandelier. The production is made even more glorious by Music Director Phil Videckis’ accomplished nine-member onstage orchestra that fills the Madden Theater with melody.

Mr. Cass has cast sixteen extremely excellent actor/singers, all of whom possess the greatest dramatic savvy and musical skill. The production is led by several talented theatre artists, some making their BrightSide debuts. Beautiful and unbelievably talented Emily Lewis is a find. She’s nothing short of brilliant and gracefully fetching in the leading role of Christine. This young lady’s artistry and vocal training shines in songs like “Melodie de Paris,” “My True Love” and a gorgeous duet with the Phantom entitled “Home.” Handsome and gifted Caden Cole portrays the ghostly Phantom with strength and and charisma. As mellifluous as he is mysteriously menacing, this masterful actor caresses every song with his powerful baritone. He takes the stage with songs like “Where in the World,” “Without Your Music,” “My Mother Bore Me” and another lovely duet with Ms. Lewis, “You Are Mine.”These two newcomers to BrightSide will hopefully be seen in future musical theatre productions.

A few fan favorites from BrightSide’s previous fourteen seasons are back for this sumptuous musical. Lovely Julie Ann Kornak (JEKYLL & HYDE, CHESS, SHE LOVES ME) hilariously plays villainous Diva, Carlotta. Not only vocally brilliant, Ms. Kornak also proves to be a mistress of theatrical melodrama, as well. And esteemed and capable character actor Stan Austin (A CHRISTMAS CAROL THE MUSICAL, MAMMA MIA, CHESS) is strong and conniving in the role of Monsieur Cholet, the new Manager of the Opera House, as well as Carlotta’s marital lackey. Another familiar BrightSide face is the exquisite Dana Vetter (A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC) who melodically portrays Belladova, the Phantom’s mother.

A few other BrightSide veterans return to lend their vocal and dramatic talent to this production. Michael Rivera (MY WAY: A TRIBUTE TO FRANK SINATRA) is thoughtful and caring as Gerard Carrier; Michael John Lynch does a fine job in the role of Jean-Claude; and Matthew Andresen, Amy Arbizzani, Michelle Bollinger, Shaina Summerville and Sarahann Sutter bring their strong vocal talent and honest acting skill to their ensemble roles. Standout newcomers to the BrightSide stage include the musically adept Joe Moerschel, as aristocratic and influential Count Philippe. The vocally powerful Myles Mattsey is really wonderful in the role of Inspector Le Doux. And Juan Sedonio and Jack Keilman are both terrific in a number of smaller roles, lending their voices to the rich sound of the ensemble.

BrightSide Theatre has done it once again. Jeffrey Cass’ remarkably moving and melodious concert version of PHANTOM is as enchanting and entrancing as if it had been a fully staged production. This captivating “Melodie de Paris” melodrama is by the  team of Arthur Kopit (NINE, HIGH SOCIETY) and Maury Yeston (NINE, TITANIC). It features a cast of truly talented vocalists, all helping tell a story that’s guaranteed to produce goosebumps, laughs and, perhaps, a few tears. This is one production that will be remembered for years to come.              

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented January 9-18 by BrightSide Theatre at Madden Theatre, in the Fine Arts Center of North Central College, 171 Chicago Ave., Naperville, IL

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by going to www.brightsidetheatre.com or by calling 630-447-8497.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.