"The Phantom" comes to OKC

Cameron Mackintosh’s spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom Of The Opera will come to Oklahoma City as part of a brand new North American Tour.

Hailed by critics as “bigger and better than ever before,” this production boasts many exciting special effects including the show’s legendary chandelier, new scenic and lighting designs, new staging and choreography.

The beloved story and thrilling score will be performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making this Phantom one of the largest productions now on tour. 

Boston Globe correspondent, Tom Byrne writes of this touring production, despite the time and budget constraints of moving a show as big as The Phantom of the Opera from one city to another, Mackintosh has built his reputation on tours that don’t skimp on production values.

“I don’t believe in cutting corners when you’re preparing a show for a tour,” Mackintosh says. “I’d much prefer to reconceive it so that an audience in any city will have the same experience an audience member had when they went to the West End or Broadway.”

Mackintosh says it’s important that the iconic moment's people are expecting are still there, including that crashing chandelier. “Those moments are equally breathtaking but different. The Act Two opening, for example, is Masquerade, and it’s stunning in a new way.”

But, he says, it’s also important the characters exist believably in their world. “This new version has allowed us to bring the Phantom on stage more. The Phantom has gained some grit because he’s more realistic.”

Although Mackintosh seems equally at home with character development and financial forecasts, he says his real strength is not coming up with the idea; it’s putting the right creative team together.

“Producing is a lot like cooking,” he says, “and I believe I’m a very good amateur chef. You can have all the right ingredients, and something still won’t taste good, or it will simply be adequate. A good chef’s role is to balance the ingredients so that they work together.”

Over the years, Mackintosh has built a core of people who work on the five or six shows in his production company. “I’m grateful to work with so many brilliant, creative people,” he says. “My job is to create an atmosphere of trust. Of course, I’ve been friends with some of these people now for 30 years, but what we have to do is be able to sit in a room and say anything to each other. And if we don’t agree on something, it’s because we didn’t get the right answer.”

The Phantom Of The Opera’s North American Tour visits the Oklahoma City Civic Center Music Hall January 9-20. Enjoy this spectacular version of the beloved Broadway production and thrilling score with songs like Music of the Night, All I ask of You and Masquerade.  Buy tickets now by visiting www.okcbroadway.com.

Recommended for ages six and up. This production utilizes pyrotechnic effects, stage weapons, theatrical haze and fog.

Copyright The Gayly – January 2, 2019 @ 6:55 a.m. CST.