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

Saturday, March 1990, [-], Broadway MAJESTIC Theater

"Is there not even a single ticket left for "The Phantom of the Opera"? Even in the most remote location?" In the evening, under the light of the silver-white ghost mask at the box office of the theater, fans gathered in the ticketing area rushed to ask.

It's a pity that they can only get repeated notifications from the box office staff, "I'm sorry, all the tickets for the rerun premiere of "Phantom of the Opera" tonight are all sold out."

Due to continuous questioning from fans, the theater box office had to explain, "About tonight's show, the ticket sales were officially opened at [-]:[-] am half a month ago, and only two hours later, all [-] tickets were sold. empty."

"Holyshit—" the fans who tried to watch the show first complained in surprise, and then continued to ask without giving up, "Then are there any remaining tickets for tomorrow night?"

"Sorry, sold out."

"Next Mon?"

"Sorry, also sold out."

The popularity of the rerun of "The Phantom of the Opera" has made these fans who have not bought tickets can only regress again and again, and continue to ask in a bored and helpless tone, "Help me find out the remaining tickets in the past week, this time it is impossible Are they still all sold out?"

"There are more tickets next Saturday," the box office staff's answer shocked the fans, but the next moment, their expressions became disappointed again, because the box office staff continued, "It's Saturday afternoon."

Among the eight Broadway performances of "The Phantom of the Opera" in a week, except for one rest day, in the remaining six days, except for the six evening performances, afternoon performances are usually added on Saturdays and Sundays.It's just that the actors from group B are on stage, so the excitement is naturally not as good as that of the leading actor.

After hearing the ticket seller's answer, the gathered fans made different choices. Some chose to buy tickets for the afternoon show next Saturday, while more people chose to postpone buying tickets.

"Perhaps we should wait until the related Broadway show reviews are published before deciding to buy tickets. To be honest, the two young leading actors, Anthony Wallow and Erica Parker, are somewhat unbelievable. "

The opinion of this drama fan is not a minority. The reason why the revival of "The Phantom of the Opera" is so hot at the box office has nothing to do with the two leading actors. What New Yorkers love is this wonderful and world-renowned musical.

As for the two newcomers starring, musical fans are full of doubts about them, and even worry that the rerun of "The Phantom of the Opera" will be dragged down by the two——

"What the hell are you saying MAJESTIC Theater is doing, trying to create the youngest couple 'Phantom and Kristen'? 19-year-old 'Kristen' and 28-year-old 'Phantom', that sounds ridiculous."

"Anthony Wallow I can barely accept, I have heard his "Les Miserables" recording, he is really talented, but Erica Parker, those newspapers said that she is regarded by Hollywood as a strong contender for the next sex idol? If that's the case, why doesn't she come to Broadway to do something wrong when she's not shooting commercial movies or posing in fashion magazines?"

There are obviously not a few musical theater fans who hold skeptical opinions. The classic success of "The Phantom of the Opera" has made its two new leading actors more distrustful and highly demanding.

At [-]:[-] in the evening, in the classical and grand MAJESTIC theater, the grand stage is surrounded by Roman-style golden and jade beams, and exquisite and gorgeous angel statues hang high.

Among the [-] spectators with no empty seats, it is estimated that no more than one-tenth of them have no doubts about Erica's upcoming performance.

Among them, many of her 'relatives and friends' are also included——

Such as Aunt May and Peter, mentors Bernadette Peters and Al Pacino, good friends Sofia Coppola and Larissa Torchev.

As well as Harry Osborn who made a special trip from Oxford to New York, Lex Luthor, Bruce Wayne who occupied the most preferred box seats, and many supporters headed by Midtown High School and Columbia University alumni.

"Harry," Peter Parker, sitting next to Aunt May in the first row of the auditorium, looked at his good friend Harry Osborne on the other side. He politely lowered his voice to avoid the noise of the conversation from affecting others, "There seems to be a There were quite a few famous Broadway critics, and most of them were skeptical of the show."

As one of the most popular plays in the United States and even in the world, the revival of "The Phantom of the Opera" not only attracted many local media headed by "New York Times" and "New Yorker", "Variety Show", "Washington Post" , "Rolling Stone" and other East and West coast newspaper giant column drama critics also came here for this reason.

Harry Osborn's tone was determined and calm, "Erica will shock them beyond measure."

Following his voice, in the magnificent and extremely elegant theater, the elegant and soft lights gradually dimmed, and the confinement curtain was slowly opening, revealing the gorgeous layered curtains on the stage and the huge props covered by the curtain.

"It's finally started!" There were whispers in the theater one after another, and the [-] audience seemed to be in high spirits for a while.

"Boom!" With the sound of a loud auction hammer, the prelude began.

At the beginning of the [-]th century, an auction was being held in the Paris Opera House. The elderly nobleman Raoul Chaney bid for a funny-looking juggling monkey music box.

And the next lot is completely different from the music box——

"Next, Lot No. 666, a broken chandelier." The auctioneer pointed to the huge prop on the stage covered by a curtain, and introduced that it was the huge golden crystal chandelier that was destroyed and broken half a century ago.

It crashed off the stage and fell apart in the terrifying 'Phantom of the Opera' paranormal event at the Paris Opera House.

"Workers have restored it, so we can see its glorious appearance today," the auctioneer raised his voice. "Maybe we can use this light to dispel the ghost of that year, gentlemen!"

Following the voice of the auctioneer, the curtain covering the props was abruptly removed, followed by the extremely luxurious chandelier.In front of [-] spectators, the theme song of "The Phantom of the Opera" resounded in the theater.

And on the extremely gorgeous and shocking stage, amidst the sound of powerful music, the huge chandelier was lifted up, and it hung high above the front row of auditorium, instantly detonating the audience.

The audience in the theater felt their bodies trembling with the exciting music, "God, I'm almost trembling—"

Unlike the audience who were indulging in the charm of the gorgeous opening stage of "The Phantom of the Opera", film critics analyzed, "Compared to the premiere two years ago, for this rehearsal, the Majestic Theater seems to have made the sets and chandeliers more magnificent and spectacular. .”

After the shocking prelude created by the magnificent golden crystal chandelier and the roaring theme music, the story on the stage goes back to the middle of the nineteenth century.

In the Paris Opera House, the opera "Hannibal" is being rehearsed, and the leading role is of course the troupe's chief alto and tenor.

And it's also Erica's "Christine" debut, though she's one of dozens of backup dancers.

"Look, Erica is on the left of the center!" In the auditorium, Erica's relatives and friends caught her in a moment.

At the same time, it seems that not only people who are familiar with her enough, but in the whole theater, except for the most remote audience who can hardly see the stage, nine out of ten people are caught by her. She is really hard to ignore.

The drama critic of the "New York Times" showed a little surprise, "I naturally expected her beauty. After all, she can be selected to star in Hollywood's top commercial films. How can she stand out without a pretty face. But I was surprised, It was her who, among the dozens of backup dancers, danced so beautifully and exquisitely that people could spot her at a glance."

"It seems that it's not just the beautiful and exquisite dancing," the Washington Post columnist observed Erica, who is stretching and dancing gracefully on the stage, "but also because of the beauty of her precise body posture, forming A unique vibe that sets her apart."

On stage, due to a commotion caused by the Phantom, the troupe's principal soprano left angrily and refused to perform on stage.

On the hectic stage, Kristen was recommended to take the stage in place of the principal soprano, singing the song "Think of Me".

The "Variety Show" drama critic who came from Hollywood in Southern California was refreshed, "The first cadenza is about to begin, and whether Erica Parker can perform this beautiful movement well will determine her whole tonight." a show, or even whether she's good enough for Kristen, and her entire Broadway career."

"Please miss me, miss me tenderly—" The ethereal voice of nature with deep emotion fluttered to every corner of the MAJESTIC Theater.

From the time Erica sang the first song, her moving voice seemed to push away the dark clouds and let people see the light.

The theater manager Schubert was not surprised by this at all. Erica's current extraordinary singing skills have improved many times compared to the first time he heard her sing "Think of Me".

And the astonishingly real drama atmosphere and emotions she showed are enough to conquer any discerning audience.

The column critic of "The New Yorker" praised Erica's performance, "Not only did she firmly capture the hearts of all audiences with this song "Thinkofme", but her acting talent is even more amazing."

"In her singing and acting, I almost forgot she was in a musical and almost thought she was the real Christine," continued the Rolling Stone contributor.

And just when Erica sang for the first time, conquering the 10 audience in one fell swoop, only [-] minutes later, the ups and downs of the plot of "The Phantom of the Opera" once again ushered in a peak——

The Phantom finally appeared, and Christine was seduced by the Phantom's velvety and gorgeous singing. In the passionate music of "The Phantom of Opera" played by the organ, Christine followed her musical angel Phantom and entered the mysterious and dangerous underground palace.

On the stage, the exquisite lake scenery is almost fake, and the smoke is filled with smoke, romantic, mysterious and dangerous.

The scene is unpredictable, and the gothic suspension bridge appears like a fantasy. In the cold and deep blue light and shadow, the beautiful chorus of Christine and Phantom resounds throughout the audience, and the great emotion contained in it seems to be enough to make people feel happy. The soul of the listener is stirred.

"Here he is, the Phantom of the Opera," the steaming mist on the surface of the lake, the grand classical candlesticks rising out of thin air, the gorgeous scene is almost dazzling, the accompaniment singing is grand and majestic, above the mysterious and cold lake, Christine and the Phantom Finally, the rafting appeared, "Be careful, Phantom of the Opera—"

As the magnificent music of "The Phantom of Opera" continued to play, the Phantom yelled an exciting "Sing for me!" to Christine! ', pushing the whole musical to its climax.

In the mysterious smoke above the stage, Erika sang waves of bel canto high C, and she continued to push up her singing voice. In the magnificent and gorgeous music, she sang bursts of high notes, which lasted for a full minute.

And when the last astonishing high-pitched E resounded through the theater, her gorgeous and natural voice echoed in the MAJESTIC theater, echoing endlessly.

In the auditorium, the shocking impact of the scene and the great emotion in the singing of Phantom and Christine made many fans of the drama cry. When Erica's singing finally fell, the audience applauded thunderously for a long Constantly, "bravo!"

"God, I finally understand the media admiration for this musical - if you only see one show in your life, it has to be The Phantom of the Opera!"

"Who said this girl only has a pretty face!"

"Her performance was just epic and spectacular—"