Phantom of the Opera at Baldwin-Wallace College

Tonight I was lucky enough to snag up one ticket to see "Phantom of the Opera" at Baldwin-Wallace. This is the first production of the show outside of the professional productions on Broadway, tour, and across the world. With this being said I wanted to post some thoughts on the production. I have close ties to the school so I will not critique the performances, but I will mention those that were especially of note.

The Phantom (Phil Carroll)- Phenominal. I have worked with Phil before and all I have to say is he was incredible. His emotion in the final scene was just amazing.

Carlotta (Devon Yates)- This girl has an incredible voice on her along with her acting, which was perfect. She definately has a career in theatre ahead of her.

Meg (Hannah DelMonte)- I saw the tour a few years ago and Hannah's performance was leagues above that of the girl I saw on tour. She has already appeared on Broadway in the final cast of the Fiddler on the Roof revival and I can see her going back to the boards soon.


The Overture was phenominal. Instead of the good old "look at the chandelier go up....yay...." there was a very interesting choice made to set up into the next scene. The opening tableu of "Hannibal" was set up behind a scrim and throughout the overture a light would come up to reveal part of the tableu. At the end the scrim flew up to reveal the entire scene.
There were a couple of animals in the show. Instead of having a boat they had a white horse taking Christine and the Phantom down to the lair. Also, Carlotta had some sort of small dog (the size that would fit into a purse) with her during "Prima Donna."

There were many other interesting choices made but I've had a couple drinks and these are what came to my mind at the moment. I would have to say I liked it more than the tour.

miketron~ Very cool. This is obvious the Y/K version of Phantom and not ALW? It's a nice varation. I believe I last saw this at the Walnut theater a number of years ago.

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Devon Yates is one of my best friends!

My program here in Arizona does have understudies. And a good thing too; the lead in our production of Candide is in NYC this weekend for final call-backs of the Spring Awakening tour and we opened Wed. His u/s has gone on the last two performances and will go on tonight. The plays usually have every role covered; our musicals usually have the leads and supporting characters covered. Back to the thread though; that's pretty amazing that this school got to do the show! I would really love to be in Phantom of the Opera sometime.

Cheers,

Christopher

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VERY interesting to know that POTO has been licenced out now.

I'd love to see this.

Where is Baldwin-Wallace?

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The production does have understudies....the Phantom's understudy is Dustin Jesberger. BW does have understudies and I know last year during their Side Show one of the Violets (every musical is double cast) got extremely sick and the understudy did a couple of the performances.

Now you just know I would check out the facts.... well, some one should!
ALW's POTO "test" pilot college run

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Yes, the show is NOT being "licensed out". It is a test run, to see if they should.

Hmm... interesting.

However, I also would like to hear a review from an unbiased reviewer.

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On the issue of understudies in college shows, I've never known of a college show, regardless of size, which did not have understudies.

Where are the other 5 test runs?

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I know Elon College in North Carolina (or is it South?) is slated to do POTO.

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I know a bunch of the people in Nyack's cast. Their show should be amazing.

Also, one of my friends was up for Christine at Baldwin-Wallace. She either turned it down or didnt get it or something.... I dont remember the exact story.