The Phantom of the Opera

Original London Cast

Starring Sarah Brightman, Michael Crawford, and Steve Barton
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics by Charles Hart
2 CDS, ? Tracks

Ah, yes, The Phantom of the Opera. My very first time seeing a non-regional musical… (FYI I saw the tour with Ted Keegan and Rebecca Pitcher… fabulous, both of them!) This goes on my list of Severe Obsessions. When I first heard this music the CDs didn't leave my side and I walked around in a total daze for two weeks. That's how good this CD is. If you want to call yourself a musical theater fan, you need to own this CD. The whole double set, not the highlights. If you need further convincing… this musical goes on the extremely small and privileged list of Musicals My Sister Actually Likes. The list probably has about 3 shows on it total, so this means it is very good.

Michael Crawford is the voice everyone thinks of when people say "The Phantom of the Opera." And he deserves it too. Whatever people may have to say about his acting ability – and I'm not qualified to comment, I was about two months old when this show opened – his voice is fantastic and on this recording he really shines. His range is just incredible. Really amazing. There are not a whole lot of men out there who can hit all those notes so effortlessly. (Well, it SOUNDS effortless anyway.)

Sarah Brightman is a lovely Christine, however strange she may look these days. (Does she ever go outside? How could any human being really be that pale? I have a watch tan that scares people – I wear my watch 24/7 – and it isn't that pale.) Anyway to get back on topic, she has one of the few soprano voices that doesn't really get on my nerves. She manages to hit all those fantastically high notes without having to get that grating shrill sound. It's very smooth and beautiful.

Steve Barton (who, sadly, passed away recently) is a very sweet Raoul. Although Raoul tends to annoy me a little. He doesn't do anything. But Steve Barton has a gorgeous voice and he is especially great in "All I Ask of You."

A stellar supporting cast that I am too lazy to go and look up the names of right now. Andre and Firmin are great and very funny. My sister and I have tons of fun singing "Notes" with each other and my sister can perform the amazing task of singing both parts of "Notes" at once, until the part where Carlotta comes in. Speaking of Carlotta, this actress does this rather funny role very well; ditto for the guy singing Piangi. Meg & Mme Giry are very well-sung roles too.

The final verdict: Buy this now. NOW. NOW!!!!!