Phantom (2012) – Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

Based on Gaston Leroux’s novel, The Phantom of the Opera

Music and Lyrics by

Maury Yeston

Book by

Arthur Kopit

Originally Produced in the United States at Theatre Under the Stars, Houston, Texas

Originally Directed by Charles Abbott

Based on Gaston Leroux’s novel The Phantom of the Opera, this version is hailed by critics as eminently equal to its more famous Andrew Lloyd Webber counterpart, and continues to be performed at major venues throughout the world. Erik (the Phantom), raised from infancy in the catacombs under the Paris Opera House, needs beautiful music to maintain sanity, and upon hearing the voice of a street singer named Christine, accepts her as his pupil, but forbids her to look upon his horribly disfigured face. When Gérard Camière, his protector, is dismissed as Opera House manager by new owner Carlotta, whose screeching voice drives him to near madness, the Phantom finds solace only in Christine’s music and falls in love with her. After articulating his torment through acts of desperation, he is surrounded by the police and, fearing capture and treatment as a circus freak, arranges his own demise. A gorgeous, lilting, and often haunting musical score by Maury Yeston, featuring the soaring Phantom/Christine duet Home and ingeniously crafted songs including Dressing for the Night, Melodie de Paris, Where in the World, Without Your Music, You Are My Own, and You Are Music, will both heighten and lavishly indulge your visual and emotional senses. With Broadway’s Patrick A’Hearn in the title role, this is a musical masterpiece not to be missed.

YESTON AND KOPIT’S PHANTOM

is presented through special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

All authorized performance materials are also supplied by Samuel French.

www.samuelfrench.com