Phantom Of The Opera Merrill WI

Phantom Of The Opera

Original Broadway Cast Recording

Polydor, 1987

REVIEW BY: Michael Ehret

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 02/18/2008

In many ways, Phantom of the Opera is both the textbook Andrew Lloyd Webber musical and a perfect example of how to create an enduring Broadway show. It represents Lloyd Webber at his peak.

Now, some would say that peak is only a foothill compared to, say, Rodgers and Hammerstein or Stephen Sondheim. Nevertheless, with the story of the love between two damaged people -- one physically disfigured and one emotionally broken -- Lloyd Webber created a musical that still resonates and is still relevant.

And it was perfectly cast.

As Christine Daae, the soprano plucked from the dance chorus and made into a star because of the vocal training she’s received from the Phantom, Sarah Brightman defined the role with her pure, quavering voice and her “little girl lost” eyes and demeanor.