Masquerade

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the London production of the musical The Phantom of the Opera, created by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with a libretto by Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe. The event coincided with the creation of a new, trendy media format—the Immersive Masquerade Show. The creative team ensured high-quality, theme-appropriate decorations for the multi-story building (Lee's Art Shop) to enhance the interactive experience. The rooftop, where one of the show's major scenes takes place, offers a view of the lit-up windows of New York City's skyscrapers.

The stated dress code calls for attendees to wear black, white, and silver. Face masks are mandatory. It's a masquerade, after all! The Phantom's masks—the first one, homemade from burlap, and the white one, covering half his face, recognizable as the production's symbol—played a connecting role between the young man with a disfigured face (Kody Jauron), performing in a freak show, and the Phantom of the Opera (Hugh Panaro). However, the director failed to clearly tell the Phantom of the Opera story for the uninitiated: the musical numbers feel disjointed, and the dramaturgy is noticeably lacking.

It's a dubious pleasure to listen to a substandard performance, coupled with poor sound, to examine costume and makeup flaws up close, and to dodge moving set pieces. And wandering around in the dark, constantly changing locations, can be somewhat tiring. Most of the musical's iconic scenes, including the boat ride through the underground reservoir and the chandelier fall, are better viewed from the auditorium.

For those who have seen the musical, attending the show will likely be a disappointment. Those who have never seen The Phantom of the Opera on stage will miss out on the original. Those interested are better off with the spectacular 2004 film version. For lovers of immersive experiences and those seeking a new theatrical thrill, this is the place to be.
The idea of adding immersiveness to musical theater is not new. There are successful examples where the audience is invited to move from one stylized space to another during the performance. 3D and 4D effects are well received. An immersive component that sets the mood and immerses one in the performance environment is absolutely justified as an additional option when attending a show. The revival of the musical Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club (2024) serves as such an example. Whether benchmark musicals should be turned into farce for the sake of fashion, even if it is Masquerade, remains questionable.


Photo credit: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman