Friday, November 27, 2015

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA IS HERE

OMG!


This is where we are tonight!  

2nd Man surprised me with tickets.  I'm sort of a musical theater geek and while I've seen Phantom of the Opera before, it was in Los Angeles, back in the 90's.

Photo courtesy of Houston Broadway
This is a sort of remastered version...same music but all new production, sets, lighting, costumes, etc.  It's making a national tour and stopping in Houston for only a couple of weeks.  It actually ends this Sunday.  

When 2nd Man bought the tickets, he thought we'd already be living downtown in our apartment and could just hop over on the local metro rail.  But oh well, we're not far away, we do have to park and I hate looking for parking in places like this but hopefully it won't be too bad.  

One of my dearest friends in the world, Alison (she comments frequently) was the roommate of another dear friend of ours, Laurie, who passed away unexpectedly a few years ago.  Poor Alison, she had many a night where she went to bed in her room while Laurie and I sang musicals in the living room, (including Phantom of the Opera) until all hours of the morning.  I'm sure she'll be along in spirit tonight.  2nd Man said he's going to make sure I don't start singing along with the production...certainly don't want to create a "scene", LOL.  

We'll see...

We are only three rows back, orchestra level.  It will be a night to remember!

Music of the Night
Nightime sharpens, heightens each sensation.
Darkness stirs and wakes imagination.
Silently the senses abandon their defenses.

Slowly, gently, night unfurls it's splendor.
Grasp it, sense it tremulous and tender.

Turn your face away from the garish light of day.
Turn your thoughts away from cold unfeeling light, and listen to the music of the night.

Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams, purge your thoughts of the life you knew before.
Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar.
And you'll live, as you've never lived before.

Softly, deftly, music shall caresss you.
Hear it, feel it, secretly possess you.

Open up your mind, let your fantisies unwind,
in this darkness that you know you cannot fight.
The darkness of the music of the night.

Let your mind start a journey to a strange new world, leave all thoughts of the life you knew before.
Let your soul take you where you long to be.
Only then can you belong to me.

Floating, falling, sweet intoxication.
Touch me, trust me, savor each sensation.

Let the dream begin,
let your darker side give in, to the power of the music that I write.
The power of the music of the night.

You alone can make my song take flight.
Help me make the music of the night.



UPDATE:

Here are a couple of pics (just got home, about 11:30pm).  They don't allow pics during the show, of course, but during intermission we could snap photos.  









We were only three rows back...the orchestra pit was just right in front of that seat in front of me.







...and right under the chandelier that of course plays a major role in the production...when it 'explodes' and crashes down, pieces of the fake glass (clear rubber) and glitter rained down on us, it was SO awesome!

Oh, and the production was "SOLD OUT", but oddly there was an empty seat next to me.  A single seat.  I'm sure the person just couldn't make it for whatever reason but to me, it felt like Laurie was there with us and she had her own seat.  

10 comments:

  1. I have never seen a production like this! Enjoy.

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  2. I saw the Phantom in the 90s. Anything scored by Andrew Lloyd Weber is spectacular. I could see it in Nashville in March. Have fun. Oh, I always sit close! But, I have not been to the theatre in ages.

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  3. What an amazing gift.
    Have a fabulous night. You will.

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  4. I can always get a good seat by snagging the lone seat. I hate to say this, but I had rather have a really good seat and go alone than go with someone and sit far away.

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  5. I took my husband and inlaws about 10 years ago. These are community theater kind of people, not opera/musical people, so not a good fit. I though loved it and when my then teenage kids saw the playbill, they were very jealous. They should have come instead. Sweet thought-your friend was there I'm sure.

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  6. I do remember those nights! They were some of the best nights of my life. Good friends, good music, who wouldn't love it. I didn't sing because the key of Z wasn't on the program. I got a lot of cross stitch done on those nights. I miss Laurie. I'd miss you too but getting this blog every day is like talking to you every day, a little one-sided, but I always here the words in your voice so while I miss you, I don't. I miss 2nd Man more but only because I don't get to hear his voice. The gift was a beautiful one and I'm really glad you were able to go. And yes, she was sitting next to you.

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  7. I love 'Music of the Night' - thanks for the lyrics! I know that 'empty' seat next to you was not really empty - your friend was there. What a great evening y'all had!

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  8. Oh lucky you!
    I love Phantom but it seems years since I saw it.
    So glad you enjoyed it & what a lovely present.

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  9. 1st Man,

    I know you'll enjoy, "The Phantom of the Opera". About 15 years ago, my girlfriend from work and I flew to NYC and watched, "The Phantom of the Opera". We had front row seats and just loved it. There is nothing better than watching a broad way show with a loved one. Enjoy!!!

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  10. Awwww! What an amazing gift and How serendipitous about the empty seat? I am glad you had such an enjoyable evening.

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