“The Phantom of the Opera” – ASU Gammage

Chris Curcio September 23, 2026 Theater 1 Comment

Theater Review – September 23, 2026

“PHANTOM” STILL ELABORATELY GRAND AT ASU GAMMAGE FOR THE SIXTH TIME BUT THE SHOW IS TIRED

“The Phantom of the Opera”
Broadway Across America – Arizona, ASU Gammage, Tempe, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s elaborately grand musical “The Phantom of the Opera” is back locally for its sixth ASU Gammage appearance.  The new production is heavily influenced and patterned after the 1986 premiere London staging that appeared on Broadway in 1988.  The tour is complete with most of the late Maria Bjornson’s original monumental and ever-changing sets and her stunningly elaborate costumes.

But all is not well with this production.  The tale of the manipulative Phantom who haunts the Paris Opera House from his basement living quarters is old news and the production is less spectacular with reduced sets and a smaller cast.  The lead performers are fine but lack the dynamic spark as they just clone Michael Crawford’s Phantom and Sarah Brightman’s Christine and the others from the original production I saw years ago on Broadway.

The production is based on Harold Prince’s original staging and Gillian Lynne’s debut musical staging.  Seth Sklar-Heyn’s production direction and Chrissie Cartwright choreography re-creates the now famous premiere version.  Isn’t it time to find something new and different in the 40-year-old musical?

The story is based on Gaston Leroux’s famous 1910 novel “Le Fantome de l’Opera” about the devious Phantom who plagues the Paris Opera House.  He wants Christine, the young and attractive new opera singer, even though leading man Raoul initially receives her admiration. Ultimately, Christine can’t escape the title character’s allure, but he allows Christine to go to Raoul.  The well-worn tale isn’t anything special anymore and the scaled down production lacks the visual spectacle of the original production.  While Lloyd Webber’s familiar music helps, “Phantom” is not the most revolutionary musical ever penned.  This new production caters to audiences that just want a duplication of the initial staging many theatergoers have already seen.

The cast replicates the performers who created these roles.  Isiah Bailey’s grandly scaled Phantom duplicates Crawford’s brilliant original as Bailey craftily turns the Opera House setting into his personal playground to try to win Christine.  The opera soprano is played by fetching Jordan Lee Gilbert who sings mightily with soaring notes as she brings Lloyd Webber’s stirring tunes to winning life.  Daniel Lopez’s Raoul is humble but feisty as he yearns to woo Christine and finally wins her.  The rest of the cast is fine as they etch out the multiple characters energetically.

Isaac Hayward’s heavily amplified orchestra spins out the recognizable score with aplomb and dynamic lighting highlights critical story moments.

“The Phantom of the Opera” is a dashing theatrical stage experience but only if you are a “Phantom” novice.  Veteran “Phantom” lovers may be disappointed as they remember grander moments from past productions.  “The Phantom of the Opera” continues through Sunday, October 4.  To order tickets, call the ASU Gammage box office at 480-965-3434 or order tickets online at www.asugammage.com.

Grade: B+

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One Response to ““The Phantom of the Opera” – ASU Gammage”

  1. Harriet Wilburne said:

    Sep 26, 26 at 16:30

    It’s good to hear the pros and cons from an experienced theatre critic who has seen the originals and can give historical background and comparisons. He was able to see it through the eyes of someone who has seen it many times and also a newcomer. I was glad to hear the performances were outstanding and since the music is so beautiful, that would be enough for me to want to see it again.