I fell in love with The Phantom of the Opera back when I was in high school. The first time I saw it, a friend had organized for a bunch of us to join a bus trip to Toronto to see it at the Pantages Theatre. I really had no idea what the story was about, so on the way up I read the book by Gaston Leroux, and I was really glad that I did because it gave me a much better appreciation of what was going on on stage. I fell in love with the spectacular music, and the beautiful costumes, and the venue made it a special experience.
The second time I saw it was not long after the first. I was 18, and my youngest sister and brother are 7 and 9 years younger than me, respectively, and they were going on a class trip to see Phantom, again at the Pantages Theatre in Toronto. The school was looking for adult volunteers to accompany the classes, and I went as one of those volunteers. To be honest, there were almost more parents than there were kids on that trip (I think there was a bit of a conspiracy there) so I ended up supervising my brother and sister while we spent some time shopping at a nearby mall until the show started. I still remember it as a really fun time with them, and once again the show was spectacular.
Over the years I’ve listened to the music so often that I know almost every word, and I’ve watched and rewatched the movie so many times that it’s a wonder it still works. Over recent years I had wished for the opportunity to see it performed live again, so imagine my happiness when I realized a few months ago hat the Broadway show of Phantom was coming to the National Arts Centre here in Ottawa. I looked into tickets, but even though I really wanted to go, I told myself the tickets were too expensive so I was prepared to pass on it.
One evening at the end of September I mentioned to my friend, Brigitte, that I had kind of wanted to go see Phantom at the NAC but that the tickets were on the expensive side, so I had decided against it. All it took for me to change my mind was for her to say that she would go with me if I wanted to see it, and that weekend I was looking for tickets. I think I was using the price as an excuse because I didn’t want to go alone.
At any rate, on October 26th we went to see Phantom, and it was everything that I remembered! I vaguely recall being to the NAC when I was in high school but I had I forgotten how being in that huge theatre with the balcony, and boxes, reminded me of something out of a Regency romance novel. And there is nothing like seeing a beautiful musical like Phantom with a live orchestra performing.
Do you like live theatre? Do you enjoy musicals? Do you have a favourite? What have you seen, or wish you could see?
Life, Tea, and Everything 
I am very envious as that sounds like an amazing experience! I’ve never seen opera:(
LikeLiked by 1 person
It really was amazing. I haven’t actually seen an opera before either. Phantom is a musical that takes place at an opera house. There are some bits of opera in it because of the setting, but it is not considered an opera itself.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh ok I always thought it was opera. I grew up with only brothers so musicals and operas didn’t happen!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure lots of people think that, due to the name. It is mostly music, but there are a few spoken parts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmm I’ll need to keep my eye open for it:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Live theatre is an amazing experience…it’s been years, I may have to see what the high schools are doing here this year….sounds crazy but the two high schools here in town have been granted permission to use actual Broadway scores…they are that good! (Certainly not professional grade, but pretty wow) One school did Phantom 7 years ago, and the other Miss Saigon the year before. I’ve not been since the girls played in the pit orchestra. Glad you had so much fun!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is so awesome! My friend (the one who went with me) and I have bought season subscriptions for the past few years for a community theatre here in Ottawa, so I go fairly often, but it is a smaller theatre with smaller productions. It’s really nice to get out about once a month in the fall and spring months…we both work from home (we are also co-workers) so it gets us out of the house, lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Community theatre d😊😂
LikeLike
Oops!!!
Community theatre can be such a fun thing to go to! I love that you guys use it to get out of the office, so to speak!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh how fun for you!! I know this sounds weird, but I saw a traveling version of Sweeney Todd where the musicians were also the actors. I was blown away by their talent ! I loved it:)❤️❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sounds so cool! I can only imagine the talent required for a production like that!
LikeLike
I saw phantom two years ago when it came through Milwaukee, LOVED IT! So glad you could experience it again 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad you got to see it! It really was amazing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I fell in love with Phantom in high school too, but didn’t get to see it until years later as an adult. My younger son is a musician and we took him to see so many musicals. To me that was evidence of success in life, to be able to see good theater (not quite) as much as you want!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It really is wonderful to go once in a while to see such spectacular performances. I go often to community theatre, but the big productions, like Phantom, I see much less often. It is wonderful though, when I have the opportunity.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How awesome for you! I’m so glad you got to do something that has been on your wish list and that it turned out to be spectacular! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too! And it was especially nice because my friend had never seen Phantom before. I was so happy that she enjoyed it!
LikeLike
I love musicals and also love Phantom of the Opera. In addition, I love Annie, Sound of Music, Beauty and the Beast, Pippin, Music Man, Rent, South Pacific, Newsies, and my top two, which are also tied, are Les Mis and Wicked. The dance, spectacle, and the songs make musicals so special. I have a musical theatre themed blog and shows just how much I love musicals
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s awesome! I’ll check it out!
LikeLike
It sure looks like you had a great time! I too love live theater and don’t get to go as much as I’d like to. I saw Webber’s show when I was in high school and multiple times after that. Once I read Leroux’s original novel, I was hooked. It was so much better than Webber’s interpretation! I saw the filmed version of “Love Never Dies” and now that is touring here in the U.S. I’ll likely go and see it, even though I didn’t like it at all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love everything about this…. what fun! I myself love theatre & Phantom of the opera hoping one day it will come back to Australia 🙂 Feel free to have a read of my theatre blogs/photos etc
LikeLike
My wishlist for live theatre is never ending. I seem to see something and then a new show comes out! I love the classics like Les Mis, Miss Saigon etc but the more modern musicals are brilliant too such as School of Rock and Aladdin! Matilda is my all time favourite and War Horse and Blood Brothers are hands down the best plays that have ever graced the Westend. There are so many wonderful musicals and plays out there though!
LikeLike
Never been to the opera but would love to attend any by Handel, Vivaldi or Monteverdi
operas
LikeLike