ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ is one of six schools in the nation that have been selected to perform Andrew Lloyd Webber's legendary musical, "The Phantom of the Opera." Details...
The performances will be held in McCrary Theatre at ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s Center for the Arts Feb. 14-19. ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ was selected by R&H Theatricals, a division of The Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization, as one of six pilot productions in anticipation of the show’s eventual release into the community, regional and school theatrical market.
“While there are no plans at this time to release “The Phantom of the Opera” to the stock and amateur market, we want to be fully prepared for when that great day arrives,” said Charlie Scatamacchia, vice president for R&H Theatricals. “What we learn from the production at ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ and the other sites we’ve chosen will help us with the process of bringing the longest running musical in Broadway history to theaters across the country.”
Working from the same script and score that is currently being performed every night on Broadway, in London’s West End, and on U.S. National Tour, the production at ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ will provide R&H Theatricals with the roadmap for future local stagings of the musical.
Based on the novel “Le Fantôme de l’Opéra” by Gaston Leroux, “The Phantom of the Opera” features music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe. The musical’s world premiere occurred at Her Majesty’s Theatre, London, in October of 1986, where it is still playing. It subsequently opened on Broadway at the Majestic Theater in January 1988, where it is also still playing, making it the longest running show in Broadway history.
“The Phantom of the Opera” has been produced in hundreds of cities in more than 20 countries around the world, and seen by an estimated worldwide audience of 80 million people to date. It has received more than 50 major theatre awards, among them seven Tony Awards including Best Musical. In 2004 it was made into a major feature film directed by Joel Schumacher.
Catherine McNeela, professor of performing arts, will direct the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ production with musical direction by associate professor Ken Lee, choreography by assistant professor Lynne Formato, sets by associate professor Dale Becherer, lighting design by assistant professor Bill Webb and costumes by assistant professor Jack Smith.
“This is a marvelous endorsement of ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s performing arts program,” McNeela said. “We look forward to producing a show that will challenge our students and thrill our audiences.”