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
1135
0
Share:

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.

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.

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 - Reviews

    First Look review: “Kate and Sam are NOT Breaking Up” is a humorous, empathetic view of our celebrity obsessive ways

    November 18, 2013
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • We Ask, They Answer

    We Ask, They Answer: Q&A with Emily Walker from Second City’s “Improv All-Stars”

    October 23, 2013
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • OldThe Big City Blog

    Big City Blog: NYE dinner cruises, Taco Joint lunch deals and plenty of holiday events around Chicago

    November 28, 2013
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • The Big City Blog

    The Big City Blog: “The Bachelor” viewing parties, Sketch Comedy Fest, STOMP on sale and kids for free at Museum ...

    January 9, 2015
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • First Look - ReviewsOld

    First Look review: Step Up Productions’ “HoliDaze” at the Athenaeum Theatre

    December 12, 2013
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • First Look - Reviews

    First Look review: Jack O’Brien’s The Sound of Music is a fresh, charming version of the well-loved musical

    June 14, 2016
    By TheRealChicagoOnline

You might be interested

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Bring your own bottle: Save some money at these Chicago dining establishments

  • Around TownHidden Gems

    Chicago’s hidden gems: Chicago Botanic Garden, Cesar’s margaritas, Playground Theater and Potash Markets

  • Around Town

    Stepping out on “The Ledge” at the Willis Tower

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.
© Copyright The Real Chicago. All rights reserved.