Friday, December 30, 2011

Studying the Phantom: Some Resources, and a Search for More

Hey again!

I recently discovered a review of a Phantom-related book that, until recently, I wasn't really interested in getting (mainly due to its cover price -- a new copy is $110 on Amazon.com). This review, though, made me want to get the book.

The book's title is a bit long and ungainly, but sounds fascinating all on its own -- The Undergrounds of the Phantom of the Opera: Sublimation and the Gothic in Leroux's Novel and its Progeny, by Jerrold E. Hogle, published in 2002. The review was one of many (and I do mean many) posted on The Phantom Project, a website by Anne Myers that was itself started as an academic project. Ms. Myers' self-made project is to review every version of POTO she can, ranging from the original novel to the various film and stage versions, and even down to things like video games, radio shows, and self-published spinoffs and sequels created by Phans. It seems like a monumental task, but I admire Ms. Myers' gusto in taking it on, and it seems that getting to read superb works like Hogle's book would make the whole thing worthwhile.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

POTO at Palikū Theatre -- Take Two!

Greetings, everyone! I hope you all had a great holiday season!

About two months ago, I got to see the Palikū Theatre production of the musical once again. That turned out to be the penultimate performance; their final one was the next day. As we'll see, the experience turned out to be an extremely special one for me.

The Phantom of the Opera - Community Theatre Edition
Palikū Community Theatre, Hawaii
Saturday, October 22, 2011 - 7:30 PM
Directed by Ron Bright

The Phantom: Miles Wesley
Christine Daaé: Lydia Pusateri
Raoul de Chagny: Kyle Malis
Carlotta Giudicelli: Jaime Craycroft
Ubaldo Piangi: Johnny Reed
Richard Firmin: Douglas Scheer
Gilles Andre: Leonard Villanueva
Madame Giry: Marlise Ahuna
Meg Giry: Madison Eror