PREVIEW
The Phantom of the Opera
Paul Kane High Musical Theatre
Jan. 9 to 11 at 7 p.m.
Arden Theatre
5 St. Anne Street
Tickets: $16 to $19. Call Paul Kane High at 780-459-4405
The one thing that helps actor Trey Maruyama, 18, become the iconic Phantom of the Opera is slipping on the symbolic white half mask.
“It came from an Etsy site and it fits perfectly. It looks so authentic and when I put it on, it really puts me in the moment,” said Maruyama, a Grade 12 student in Paul Kane High’s musical theatre program.
At times passionate, mysterious and terrifying, Andrew Lloyd Webber's classic music sustains one of the most heartbreaking love stories of all time. Challenging to perform even by professional standards, the Paul Kane High musical theatre program has picked up the gauntlet and presents The Phantom from Jan. 9 to 11 at the Arden Theatre.
Not only are the production elements grand in nature, but Lloyd Webber’s music is beautiful and emotional to the listener while taxing triple-threat actors to the limit.
“Some of the notes are difficult to reach, but can sound amazing. Some songs have different time signatures and you have to keep on track,” Maruyama noted.
Yet the cast is exceedingly strong. In addition to Maruyama as the disfigured Phantom, Hailey Benedict is Christine, the young soprano he trains; Declan Findlay is Raul, her childhood friend; and Jillian Aisenstat is Carlotta, an aging diva who quits after too many unsettling occurrences happen.
The Phantom, a brilliant composer, is not only Christine’s mentor as she develops her voice. Hiding in the opera house, he falls madly in love with her in a most possessive way.
Maruyama has spent the last few months peeling away Phantom’s layers and discovering his inner core.
“He’s lonely. He doesn’t have anyone and when he finally finds Christine, he wants to hold on to her. This man isn’t a sicko creature. He’s a normal guy with an amazing mind who is held back by his deformity. He’s frightened of being alone and spending the rest of his days alone.”
Much of the story also concerns Christine and how she responds to the Phantom’s actions and his sad situation.
“She’s so deep and compassionate. She cares for both the Phantom and Raul. She knows Phantom has flaws but she looks deeper into his soul. At the end she chooses Raul, but leaves Phantom with a little bit of love, and he realizes he has to let her go,” said Benedict, of her character.
Lloyd Webber has filled the two-hour musical with choice selections such as Music of the Night, the heartfelt Wishing You Were Here, and the momentous Finale.
Benedict closes by saying, “I really want people to see that when we are faced with making decisions, you have to have faith and believe in yourself.”
