The Real Chicago

Top Menu

  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

Main Menu

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
Sign in / Join

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login
  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

logo

Header Banner

The Real Chicago

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
  • Chicago’s hidden gems: Kiss Kiss Cabaret, Unabridged Bookstore, Lulu Belle’s Pancake House and TNT at The Annoyance

  • New on the scene: Recapping recent restaurant and bar openings in Chicago

  • The Big City Blog: A Chicago summer bucket list

  • Outdoor drinking: A guide to some of our favorite beer gardens and rooftops in Chicago

  • A day at the museum: Exploring the iconic Field Museum in Chicago

First Look - Reviews
Home›featured-blogs›First Look - Reviews›First Look review of Phantom of the Opera: The reimagined classic shines as brightly as ever

First Look review of Phantom of the Opera: The reimagined classic shines as brightly as ever

By TheRealChicagoOnline
January 22, 2014
556
0
Share:

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

Whether it’s a fresh experience or an old favorite, the new North American tour will not disappoint

By Corey O’Day

Playing at: Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. RandolphPhantom of the Opera 1

When: Running through Sunday, March 2, 2014 with the following performance schedule (subject to change): Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m., Wednesdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com

History: The Phantom of the Opera has enjoyed more than 25 years on Broadway and is still going strong. The brand-new North American tour joins five other productions of Phantom currently running around the world. The show has been seen by 130 million people in 29 countries, 150 cities and 13 languages. Phantom has won more than 70 major theatre awards.

What to expect: Paul Brown’s set moves with the agility and grace of the Corps de BalleTHE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA 3 - The Company performs Masquerade - photo by Alastair Muirt. From a bright, elaborate opera set to foreboding catacombs in moments. The set changes occur before our eyes, but the illusion is never shattered.

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

This production of Phantom is also expertly lit — or rather, expertly shadowed — by Paul Constable. It is as visually dark and mysterious as the Phantom himself, with most scenes in half-light and portions of the story told entirely with shadows from the past.

What stood out: Julia Udine in the role of Christine Daaé is entirely captivating. She floats and melts across the stage — a human cloud — ever interesting, new and beautiful. She is the axis that the entire show turns around. Dynamic, relatable and authentic, Udine’s Christine is not just some frightened waif, but a strong, capable woman struggling with feelings of grief, fear, compassion and love.THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA 5 - Cooper Grodin and Julia Udine - photo by Matthew Murphy-6601

The audience hangs on every word of Raoul (Ben Jacoby) and Christine’s duet, “All I Ask of You,” as the passion between them becomes palpable. Cooper Grodin’s vocal talents as the sometimes sniveling Phantom particularly shine in his devastating echo of the same ballad.

Final thoughts: As one of the longest-running musicals of all time, Phantom has fans who have some expectations. I walked in with misty childhood memories of catacombs and crashing chandeliers, and I was delighted by this reimagined production.

From the breathtaking masquerade scene showcasing the Tony Award-winning original costume design of the late Maria Björnson, to pyrotechnics in the murky bellows of the opera house, this production of Phantom contains enough of both the familiar and fresh to satisfy any audience.

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

TagsBen JacobyBroadway in ChicagoCadillac Palace TheatreChicago TheaterChristine DaaeCooper GrodinCorey O'DayJulia UdineMaria BjornsonPaul BrownPaul ConstablePhantom of the Opera
Previous Article

Cozy on up: A trio of Chicago ...

Next Article

Little venues, big sounds: Check out Chicago’s ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

TheRealChicagoOnline

Related articles More from author

  • First Look - ReviewsOld

    First Look Review: Broadway in Chicago’s “Evita” at the Oriental Theatre

    September 24, 2013
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • The Big City Blog

    The Big City Blog: A Bronx Tale, Anastasia, Giordano Dance and Two Pints hit the stage in Chicago this March

    March 10, 2019
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • General Features

    Cozy on up: A trio of Chicago fireplace bars to warm up at — inside and out

    January 18, 2014
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Chicago Insider

    The Chicago Insider: Hilary Ward

    January 16, 2012
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • The Big City Blog

    Finally: One fan’s long, excruciating wait to experience the phenomenon that is “Hamilton”

    July 16, 2018
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • First Look - Reviews

    First Look review: “Three Sisters” at the Steppenwolf Theatre

    July 29, 2012
    By TheRealChicagoOnline

You might be interested

  • Around TownOldThe Big City Blog

    The Big City Blog: A Chicago summer bucket list

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    The best of Broadway: Plenty of diverse food options call this lively street home

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Southport shopping spree: Plenty of unique stores on this quaint street

  • LATEST REVIEWS

  • TOP REVIEWS

Timeline

  • November 11, 2021

    Inside Scoop: Massive FoBAB beer festival returns to Chicago this weekend, Nov. 12-13

  • July 31, 2019

    Chicago Insider Etienne Padin on obscure museums, shopping in Andersonville and dining at Maple & Ash

  • July 30, 2019

    First Look review: CMX CineBistro provides a fun, fresh take on the luxury dine-in theater experience

  • July 28, 2019

    Finger lickin’ good: Six trusted Chicago spots for a stellar barbecue experience

  • July 25, 2019

    The Big City Blog: Four Friday Night Flights beer tastings remain this summer, including July 26 in Ravenswood

Latest Comments

  • The 14 Best Fireplaces in Chicago | UrbanMatter
    on
    October 11, 2017
    […] Photo Credit: The Real Chicago […]

    Cozy on up: We asked active Chicagoans for their favorite spots to warm up in the ...

  • Why You Should Visit a Museum | FreeForAll.org
    on
    January 16, 2017
    […] Photo Credit: Therealchicago   […]

    It’s cold out there: A few spots to warm up this winter

  • Why You Should Visit a Museum – FreeForAll.org
    on
    October 23, 2016
    […] Photo Credit: Therealchicago   […]

    It’s cold out there: A few spots to warm up this winter

  • The Real Chicago – The Big City Blog: A very Chicago night on the town
    on
    May 31, 2016
    […] up was The Redhead Piano Bar for drinks and live music. I’ve said it before ...

    Friendly, unfussy, and serious about music: Hanging with Marshall Nelson from the Redhead Piano Bar

  • Scouting Logan Square: A Renewed Historical Neighborhood - The Annex, a blog by Casamatic
    on
    March 10, 2016
    […] (cover photo via The Real Chicago) […]

    The rise of Logan Square: Why this diverse area has quickly become one of Chicago’s hottest ...

Find us on Facebook

Originally launched in 2006, The Real Chicago — as a glossy entertainment magazine, website and email newsletter — has consistently provided the very best insider information, features and reviews to help both tourists and active locals get the most out of exploring the greatest city on Earth.
  • Latest Posts

  • Inside Scoop: Massive FoBAB beer festival returns to Chicago this weekend, Nov. 12-13

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    November 11, 2021
  • Chicago Insider Etienne Padin on obscure museums, shopping in Andersonville and dining at Maple & ...

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    July 31, 2019
  • First Look review: CMX CineBistro provides a fun, fresh take on the luxury dine-in theater ...

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    July 30, 2019

Photostream

    Follow us

    © Copyright The Real Chicago. All rights reserved.