By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
“The Phantom of the Opera” is back. It has been eight years since the ultra-successful musical by the legendary composer Andrew Lloyd Webber prompted a huge growth in the local musical industry.
It drew an audience of 240,000 over a short time when it was first staged in 2001, creating a milestone that practically divided local musical history into two eras ― pre- and post-Phantom.
Eight years later, its seductive spell seems to haunt local musical buffs with its talented cast and astonishing stage sets.
The show is now on stage at the Charlotte Theater in Jamsil, southern Seoul with a 24-billion-won budget.
This time, the stage is much closer to the audience than in the 2001 and 2005 performances due to the special design of the musical-only theater. Even spectators in the back seats can see the subtle movements of the actors and experience the fast-changing stage sets.
The most impressive, gasp-inducing moment happens when a 1-ton chandelier comes on stage, appearing as if it’s about to land on the heads of the audience members.
The sets and costumes also remain fresh and vibrant, and the lighting still creates the mood for the piece brilliantly. As far as the sets go, the dark and foggy underground labyrinth adorned with 281 candles is the cream of the crop.
In the show, ongoing through next August, Yoon Young-suk returns as the Phantom with Kim So-hyun playing Christine. Both also performed the roles in 2001. Rising musical star Hong Kwang-ho plays the role of Raoul.
Kim turns herself into a beautiful soprano, Christine, who is obsessed by the mysterious presence of the Phantom, who is imprisoned behind a mask.
Kim sings tenderly and expressively, performing magnificent arias in an opera within an opera.
Having risen to stardom after her debut in the 2001 version, the actress is showing more stable and refined acting and singing, especially in the musical number “The Phantom of the Opera.”
Yoon also had a successful tenure in the role, as the man whose scarred face rules his destiny. Possessing a rich, haunting voice, Yoon sings the role perfectly. Yoon’s “Phantom” is portrayed as not just a monster, but a sympathetic tortured human being.
In the role of Raoul, musical heartthrob Hong, renowned for his turns in “Jekyll and Hyde” and “Sweeney Todd,” brings his powerful baritone vocals and stable acting. Hong will play the role of the Phantom in next year’s cast.
Memorable musical numbers such as “The Music of the Night” and “Think of Me” enthrall the audience, adding fantasy to the show.
Seol & Company said it is expected to attract about 400,000 theater-goers after surpassing its break-even point, beating its record of 240,000.
To help keep ticket prices down, the company will operate a seasonal system in which ticket prices will be adjusted during the high-demand and slack seasons. Tickets cost 130,000 won on weekdays and 140,000 won on weekends in July and August, but drop to 110,000 won on weekdays and 120,000 won on weekends from January to March.
The performance will run until Aug. 8 of next year at the Charlotte Theater. For reservations, call 1588-7890.