The top of fame and fortune [Comprehensive British and American]

"Erica, this is Schubert." Under the grand and classical unmanned stage of the MAJESTIC Theater, Pacino introduced to her Otto Schubert, the director of the theater, and the Schubert family, the most powerful theater management company on Broadway. a member of

The MAJESTIC Theater was built by the real estate tycoon Channing Brothers at the beginning of this century, and was resold several times during the Great Depression. For nearly half a century, it has been operated by the Schubert family for a long time.

The current director, Otto Schubert, is a white male in his fifties. In addition to being responsible for the commercial operation of the theater, he also serves as a producer.

Regarding the introduction of Erica Parker by his old friend Pacino today, he was polite but not very enthusiastic, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Parker."

"I should be honored," Erica also showed a decent but not too enthusiastic smile, but she released enough kindness at the same time, "After all, I have often walked into this theater to watch plays since I was less than ten years old, and now Finally met their producers."

Hearing Erica's praise for the theater, Schubert's tone was more friendly, "I think your drama talent must be outstanding enough to be recommended by Al, you know, he has always been so strict that it is a headache. "

Although Schubert still has doubts about whether Erica Parker, who has never had any formal stage performance experience, can play the leading role.But the smile on his face seemed a lot more sincere. After all, who would be disgusted with a young man who is well-rounded and full of love for drama?

Pacino asked Schubert at this time, "Will Weber and Prince have some disagreements about the casting of "Phantom of the Opera"?"

As the creator of "The Phantom of the Opera", musical master Andrew Webber naturally has enough right to speak; and Harold Prince is the premiere director of this musical.

"Webber is currently busy with his music works world tour, and Prince is currently in Sydney, participating in the Australian premiere casting of "The Phantom of the Opera." Schubert seems to be explaining that the selection of 'Christine' Corner, almost his words.

He went on to talk about the leading male candidates that MAJESTIC Theater is recruiting, "And our young 'Phantom' Anthony Volo was introduced to me by Prince, and he claimed—'This is what you can hear The closest you can get to a real phantom' sounds really invigorating, doesn't it?"

"Of course, I think the rehearsal of "The Phantom of the Opera" will make MAJESTIC Theater world-famous again." Erika showed her most skilled, a natural polite smile.

She praised this once the most grand theater on Broadway, rather than flattering Otto Schubert himself with words.

Schubert seemed to accept the scale she grasped. He looked at Erica, and his voice was neutral, "So how to find the 'closest to the real Christine' is the most important thing for me right now."

"Miss Parker, what kind of girl do you think the real Christine would be?" Schubert asked the young man in front of him.

It has to be said that aside from Erica Parker's Hollywood background and current active fame, what he likes about her is that she's young enough to be the perfect age for Kristen in The Phantom of the Opera.

Schubert seemed a little arbitrary. After he asked Erica, he didn't give her a chance to answer, but suddenly changed the question again, "Or, do you think Christine loves the Phantom?"

This is not an easy question. Since "The Phantom of the Opera" began its global tour in recent years, the topic of "whether Christine has love for the Phantom" has almost become a topic of debate among drama critics all over the world.

But it seems that more people hold negative opinions.

The story of "The Phantom of the Opera" is not complicated-the genius "Phantom" hidden in the underground labyrinth of the Paris Opera House has taught Christine, a young girl who is responsible for singing and dancing in the theater, to sing for many years.

The Phantom developed an extremely fanatical love for Christine, and Christine reunited with her childhood companion, the young noble Viscount Raul Shani.

The Phantom's dangerously distorted, almost morbid emotions, as well as his brutal murders in the theater, undoubtedly all made Christine fearful.And her decision to get engaged to Raul completely angered Phantom.

After setting off another murder and turmoil under the anger, the Phantom finally released Christine to leave. In the underground maze, he disappeared and left, leaving only the silver mask and his eternal and dangerous love for Christine. .

While "The Phantom of the Opera" is well-known all over the world, many people have questioned its thin storyline, but no one can refute it. This musical is mysterious, sexy, extremely romantic, and can be called a model of beauty.

But is this romance love?

"I've read a lot of reviews about The Phantom of the Opera," Erica's calm voice sounded in the MAJESTIC Theatre, "There has always been controversy about whether there is love between the Phantom and Christine."

"It's not even just Christine's feelings for Phantom. Many critics think that Phantom doesn't love Christine either, he is only out of possessiveness." She said calmly.

Schubert pressed her, "So what do you think?"

"I think Phantom and Christine are each other's soulmates," Erica said without any hesitation, her voice was very convincing, "Of course there is love between them, even a deep love for each other's soul."

Erica's words obviously do not conform to the current mainstream cognition, but Schubert continued to ask with great interest, "Maybe you can explain to me, why do you think so?"

"Kristen and Phantom have similar childhood experiences. They grew up alone in the theater as orphans. They regard each other as music angels, and their hearts fit together, and there is a resonance almost deep in the soul."

There was a little smile on the corner of Erica's mouth, talking about her opinion, "At the beginning, Christine had great respect and yearning for the Phantom, and she trusted it so much that she was almost obsessed."

She went on to analyze in detail, "After she took off the phantom's mask and witnessed his terrifying face, this emotion increased sympathy. And when she was cursed by the phantom in horror, Christine began to fear. The phantom then appeared in the opera house. Her fears were heightened by the murder she had committed."

"But even so," Erica changed the subject, "almost every time, when the phantom appeared in front of her again, Christine was still bewitched by him without exception, and accepted his closeness. She was so afraid of this dangerous A man, but her head rejects him, and her soul obeys him."

Otto Schubert spoke, "But she chose the Viscount Raul."

"Of course she should have chosen Raul." Erica also believed that Christine's choice was normal. "The inhuman treatment suffered by Phantom since childhood caused his whole body to be distorted. Christine didn't appreciate Phantom's terrifying face expressed fear, but she had reason to choose to stay away from his sick soul."

She replied to Schubert's words, "And the Viscount Lauer is her refuge, an ideal husband who symbolizes a bright worldly life, free from danger and fear, free from gloom and distortion."

"But who stipulates that love must be bright, uplifting, holy and holy?" Erica deepened her smile, "Dangerous, twisted, mixed with awe, sympathy, and fear, it can also be admiration. Love has never been so complicated. Who can explain clearly."

She repeated to Schubert, "I think Christine has an admiration for the Phantom, and the Phantom's possessive and even destructive emotions should not be overthrown by questioning. Otherwise, should I tell the world that this scene A drama that is extremely romantic and aesthetically pleasing, but love never existed?"

"Very convincing understanding." Schubert looked at Erica at this time, and he was much more friendly than when she first entered the theater.

But then he changed the subject and began to be strict again, "You can win an audition for a Hollywood drama, which is enough to show that you have superb acting skills, but as a Broadway actor, especially in "The Phantom of the Opera", you have strict requirements for singing skills."

Erica was not surprised by Schubert's words at all. Of course, she didn't think that she could make Schubert take a fancy to her because of her "emotional cognition of Christine and Phantom" just now.

At best, the theater director and lead producer currently thinks she might be able to bring something fresh to the musical.

So she began to talk with Schubert about the music genre of "The Phantom of the Opera", "Of course, I know about it. Weber used a lot of classical music as the background when he created it, making this musical between classical and popular." .”

"If you don't think my request is rash, maybe you'd like to go on stage and sing a song Thinkofme?" Schubert smiled kindly, but asked mercilessly.

Thinkofme, in the first act of the musical, Christine sang this piece, relying on her perfect singing voice to conquer the whole scene, it is self-evident.

Schubert's request made Al Pacino, who was on the side and handed over the conversation control to Erica and Schubert, showed a little hesitation——

He has great confidence in Erica's acting talent, but it is indeed extremely difficult to be asked to sing on stage suddenly, and her singing skills are not the most advantageous.

So Pacino suggested to Schubert, "Or you can test her acting level first. As for singing skills, when you invite the actor who is 'closest to the real phantom' to Broadway, let them do it." A duet audition, wouldn't that be more appropriate?"

During this time, Erika can practice more on the music track in "The Phantom of the Opera" until she is proficient.

This was originally Pacino's conceived arrangement. He planned to let Erica win with superb acting skills and win the role in the fastest time.As for singing and dancing skills, with the months-long rehearsal practice of musicals, they will naturally make great progress.

But Schubert didn't seem to intend to cooperate with Pacino. He didn't let go quickly, but still looked at Erica and asked her repeatedly, "Miss Parker, would you like to sing Thinkofme on stage?"

Erica should probably refuse, after all, her singing skills are not so strong that they can be compared with professional singers.

But she seemed to be able to maintain a perfect smile and give the answer that theater director Otto Schubert only wanted, "Of course."

Erica stepped onto the grand stage of the Broadway theater, in front of her eyes was a high-hanging crystal chandelier, and golden classical palace-style carved beams surrounded the entire stage.

And under the stage, the auditorium and the golden box under the arch are empty, only the director of the theater, Schubert, raised his hand to her, indicating that the singing can start at any time, so——

How on earth is she going to conquer this discerning audience?