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'Phantom' Actors Off The Mark

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By KATHY L. GREENBERG

Tribune correspondent

Published: November 4, 2008

TAMPA - "The Phantom of the Opera" has all the ingredients of a hit. It has a proven track record for attracting huge audiences worldwide to wild applause.

But after Saturday evening's show at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, it's clear even the most lauded productions - ones that seem to stand on merit alone - demand equally impressive performances from the cast.

Sadly, that was not the case.

Maybe it was the weather. Maybe the planets weren't in alignment Saturday night. Maybe it was sheer exhaustion. Whatever the cause, there was a decided lack of inspiration on that stage.

It was as if the actors had "been there, done that" so many times during the national tour, they were simply going through the motions. And that's boring. "Phantom" is a dark love story, enrobed in Andrew Lloyd Webber's gorgeous score, which should induce tingles and goose bumps, not yawns.

Of all the performers in this Cameron Mackintosh production, Kim Stengel as diva Carlotta Giudicelli had the most energy. She's actually the one who deserved the most slack, considering she's been the longest-running Carlotta throughout the world, with more than 4,500 performances under her belt. Yet somehow she dug deep and rose to a level above the others.

As Christine Daae, the beautiful songbird and object of the Phantom's obsessive love, Trista Moldovan was competent but unremarkable. Richard Todd Adams' Phantom had more bravado, but he lacked the magical quality of an intriguing character. Both sang well, though neither made neck hairs rise.

The real stars were the technical feats, set design and costumes. If no one went blind after the first light burst, theatergoers saw a continuous spectacle of dramatic, "how'd-they-do-that" stage tricks. For instance, the 1,000-pound chandelier shimmying to the stage on cables was both frightening and awesome.

Truly impressive was the enactment of the journey into the Phantom's lair below the opera house. The actors navigated a platform that teeter-tottered, representing the long, descending path to his candlelit hell with the great acoustics.

Maria Bjornson's costumes were stunning, especially during the masquerade scene in Act II. Every imaginable color, texture and shape was represented and made more resplendent with jewels, sequins and feathers.

Had performances hit the right note, the production would have been a real treat. In any case, the best reason to see "Phantom" is for the visuals. The music is available on CD, and the movies (old and new versions) are on DVD.

But there's no better way to appreciate the eye candy than to see it live.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

WHEN: Through Nov. 22; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Carol Morsani Hall, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa; (813) 222-1001; www.tbpac.org

HOW MUCH: $23.50 to $78

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