Reviews: The Phantom of the Opera at Colgan High School
Written by Em Mullins of Centreville High School
Open up your mind and let your fantasies unwind. This is "The Phantom of the Opera" at Colgan Sr. High School!
Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera" stands as one of his most acclaimed works. Adapted from Gaston Leroux's 1910 novel, the musical premiered on Broadway at the Majestic Theatre in 1988 and continued its run until 2023, making it the longest-running show in Broadway history. It won seven 1988 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and has inspired more than ten film adaptations.
Set in the twisted corridors of the Palais Garnier Opera House during the 1880s, this gothic musical delves into themes of mystery and obsession. The story follows the Phantom, a disfigured 'angel of music' who haunts the opera house, and Christine Daaé, a chorus girl who becomes the opera's alternate lead after a strike by the Phantom leaves the role vacant. Upon hearing Christine sing, the Phantom's fear transforms into a fierce determination to champion his protégé. But how does the Phantom respond when Christine starts to fall for childhood friend Raoul?
Bringing the Phantom to life is no small task, especially considering he's more spectral than human, but Andrew Serrano-Bremer did so with a haunting delivery. His embodiment of the character through tense physicality showcased the Phantom's dark, manipulative nature. Even with a half-hidden visage, Serrano-Bremer's emotions were vividly conveyed, especially through his intense, anguishing vocals during the reveal of his scarred face in "The Point of No Return."
Opposite him, Erin Rigby's Christine Daaé dazzled the audience with her radiant and operatic vocals, showcasing exceptional technique and emotional nuance. Rigby's character resonated deeply with the audience as she maintained control and clarity, most prevalent in her heartfelt, buoyant delivery of "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again," where she captured Christine's longing and vulnerability with profound sincerity. Together, Serrano-Bremer and Rigby's chemistry told the gothic tale superbly.
Beyond the captivating leads, the production was further elevated by the spirited dance ensemble. Choreographed and led by Charlotte Elliot, the ensemble's precise and expressive movements brought the opera house to vibrant life, particularly in the group numbers "Think of Me" and "Masquerade." A hallmark of the show's choreography is ballet pointe, a demanding skill requiring lengthy training. Yet, in just a few months of rehearsal, Elliot safely and skillfully taught the refined technique to the ensemble, allowing for a seamless blend of opera and dance that brought the show to life.
The set team (Elliot Velasco, Olivia Mack, Alex Drzewucki, Brianna Porter) reinforced the labyrinthine nature of the production. With their design process unfolding in three distinct phases, the team crafted a double-sided raised platform: one side a pristine opera stage adorned with gold accents and the Phantom's mask, signaling his ever-presence in the theatre; the other, a shadowy, underground lair textured with sinister skulls and bones that evoked the Phantom's eeriness. The set also featured the show's famous chandelier, engineered to rise and fall at the Phantom's edicts.
With a hint of illumination and a whisper of mystique, Colgan High School's cast and crew masterfully conjured the spirit of "The Phantom of the Opera," drawing the audience into a world where beauty and darkness dance, and leaving them enchanted by the music of the night.
Written by Mary Campbell of Westfield High School
Echoing through a gilded opera house, a mysteriously ominous voice penetrates the performers' composure as fear overtakes them. This show-within-a-show, presented in The Phantom of the Opera by Colgan High School, created a haunting ambiance that permeated every aspect of the portentous production.
Premiering on the West End in 1986, and on Broadway in 1988, The Phantom of the Opera holds the distinction of being the longest running show in Broadway history. With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, the musical is based on the novel of the same title by Gaston Leroux. The story follows Christine Daae, a ballerina who dreams of advancing to the role of prima donna. The Phantom, an aspiring composer who lives beneath the opera house accompanied only by his own fragile psyche, becomes enamored with Christine's voice and turns malicious when she chooses to love her childhood friend Raoul instead of The Phantom.
The opera house's ballet corps, consisting of ten dancers under the strict direction of Madam Giry (Mariam Trigui), danced en pointe in several numbers throughout the show. With strong classical ballet techniques and precisely coordinated synchronization, the corps demonstrated their solid background in dance and reinforced the impression of a professional performance venue.
As Christine, Erin Rigby showcased strong operatic technique, delivering her arias with a buoyant upper register and well-sustained vibrato. As she navigated the difficult melodies, she maintained her facial expressions to illustrate a full and complete character arc - from mystified and apprehensive, to frightened and enchanted. As Christine's fear of the Phantom increased, Rigby recoiled, her wide eyes and sudden shift from an open stance to cowering terror vividly capturing the character's dread. As The Phantom, Andrew Serrano-Bremer crafted a macabre, lurking persona that underscored the character's menace. Serrano-Bremer's mannerisms shifted as the show continued, becoming increasingly intense as the Phantom's insanity escalated. Despite the fact that his face was significantly covered by the character's iconic mask, Serrano-Bremer was able to convey his emotions through his richly diverse tone of voice and his large, dramatic physicality. At the show's conclusion, tormented by Christine's final decision, Serrano-Bremer staggered about the stage and crumpled to the ground, his voice shaking with distress that perfused the entire auditorium.
Jordyn Floyd as Andre and Jeremiah Gates as Firmin created a comedic duo that contrasted the show's overall drama. Floyd and Gates reacted with exaggerated distress and flamboyance, interacting playfully with one another. As Madam Giry, Mariam Trigui carried herself with a subtle grace and intensity, conveying her character's age and wisdom.
The sound team, consisting of Leo Deangelo, Jared Marquez, Chase Chapman, and Caitlyn McCourt, balanced input from microphones carrying the voices of actors onstage and offstage, as well as microphones for the instruments in the pit to create a blended sound where neither the voices nor the instruments overpowered each other. The team additionally made effective use of the speakers at both the front and back of the auditorium, using those located behind the audience to increase the all-encompassing sinister mystery of the Phantom's offstage voice. The orchestra, including thirty-one student instrumentalists, balanced each part within the orchestra to create a seamless blend of music that remained consistently precise throughout the performance. Although Madam Giry directed the dance corps onstage, Charlotte Elliot choreographed and taught the dances offstage. Elliot's skill was shown as the dancers jettied and bourrée across the stage in unison.
Colgan High School's cast and crew of The Phantom of the Opera stunned with soaring vocals and dynamic scenes. The result was a foreboding and eerie atmosphere which fully immersed the audience in "the music of the night."