Search - David Spencer :: Phantom Of The Opera: Theatreworks/USA Original Musical Production

Freely adapted, but well adapted!

D. Howard | Moscow, Idaho USA | 03/02/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a Phan who has heard and/or seen all musical and film takes on the classic Gaston Leroux novel. This CD offers a disclaimer, "Freely adapted from the novel by Gaston Leroux". I apprecitated seeing that on the album as I would have loved to read that on the cover of the Yeston/Kopit version. The story is very modified and reworked. Raoul is missing and instead of the two new managers, one new manager is brought in to save the Paris Opera from failure. He is a tyrant and tries to impose new compositions over classics. The Phantom is a much more likeable character from the beginning, no shadows, no lurking, he and Christine meet up and he teaches her, roughly at first... but not with as much passion... the show is definately a family show. On the upside, the music is well written and the lyrics as well. I would suggest you buy this CD if: You are an open minded, dedicated Phan; or you have children and want them to hear a tame version of the story. If I had to choose again, I'd still buy it!"