Seduced by the PHANTOM!

We saw Phantom!  

Last night we, left the kids at home, left Dylan at my sister Lisa's house for night-nurse duty, and drove to Hollywood to see the Phantom of the Opera with my parents, and our friends Jeff and Shea Bailey.  It was so exciting to hit Hollywood Blvd. and see the searchlights rolling up above our heads and see the walk of stars beneath our feet!

Of course no trip to Hollywood would be complete without a stop at the original Tommy Burger.  The gals all sat in the car to eat, but the men all ate out on the hood of the car in an attempt to keep from getting Tommy's chili all over their white shirts.  We thought they were so cute, in their matching white shirts, lit up in the head lights like an opening act with stage lights.  You see, there is no tail-gating in theater - too high brow.  With theater it is front-hooding instead.  It is proper theater etiquette, you know.  

Mom is so excited!  

Last time we saw Phantom it was also with my parents.  I was pregnant with Alex.  That was 13 years ago.  Back then I LOVED it, but didn't really understand the plot because I wasn't familiar with it.  This time we would really be able to appreciate it.  This was Shea and Jeff's first time, and we were so excited for them to experience Phantom for themselves.

Walking into the incredible art deco style Pantages Theatre is like stepping back in time to the golden age of Hollywood. Every square inch of everything is carved.  There is so much to look at, even before the curtain goes up.  It is gold, gaudy, and wonderful! 

I have no pictures of the play itself, of course, but it was amazing!  The set, the costumes, the sheer talent of the actors.  The Phantom himself was especially good.  Captivating.  The music was incredible and very romantic.  It was all I could do not to burst out in song with the actors.  I think my kids will be hearing me sing a lot of Phantom music in the next few weeks.  Unfortunately, I have not be trained by the Angel of Music.

I was in awe of the well orchestrated scene changes, and the special effects.  The giant chandelier, the transformation of the opera stage, and especially the underwater lake with fog rolling off the front of the stage into the orchestra pit, the candles flickering and moving in the mist, and the boat gliding across the stage!  So well done.

What a magical evening!  Great company and great theatre.  Oh, the power of the music of the night!