Thu Feb 09 2012
by April Helms
Special Products Editor
It may seem strange for music to play such a strong role in a non-musical production, but that is the case with ANTIC's production of "Phantom of the Opera."
"Music can be an important part of someone's life," said Mark Brown, who plays the title role. "You can play it, listen to it, share it."
Music is what brings his character together with Christine Daae (played by Hanna Tobias), Brown said. He added his own background as a musician helped in the role.
"I've been in a couple shows with ANTIC, but this is the first show where I've had such a big part," he said.
The drama is from an adaptation by Dirk Kuiper based on the novel by Gaston Leroux.
Brown said his wife Lynn also is in the show -- as the opera diva La Carlotta.
"People have asked me if she's really such a diva in real life," he said. "I say no, she is nothing like that, but she does have fun with the role because she gets to do things she usually wouldn't do."
Brown praised the cast of the show, including Tobias.
"That young lady brought such an intensity just to her audition," Brown said. "When I heard that she had been cast as Christine, I knew I'd have to bring my top game to my role."
He also gave kudos to John and Karen Sauerbrey, who choreographed the dance numbers. Karen Sauerbrey also plays Madame Giry.
"Most of us were non-dancers," he said and laughed. "Because of them, you will see credible, even decent ballroom dancing."
Brown said he tried to play Erik "as a sympathetic character," and that while the audience may not like some of the things he has done, the play goes into his motives.
"Erik is a composer, a trained musician," Brown said. "When he sees Christine, he sees the life he could have had. But he's judged by his appearance."
Director Mary Kay Dente said she enjoys the music score from the better-known musical "Phantom," but believes the audience will have several reasons to enjoy the non-musical version ANTIC has staged.
"While there is no singing, the loves and the hates of the characters come through, vividly illustrating each character's passion in life," Dente said. "The unifying thread is music; whether it is to sing it, dance to it, direct it, or simply be swept up in it."
About the show
Young opera singer Christine Daae has just filled in for the opera diva, La Carlotta. The new owners of the theater, Moncharmin (played by Peter Handley) and Richard (played by Denny Semick) are pleased with the reviews of her performance, as delivered by the Critic ( played by Brandon Lucas). They are soon warned by Madame Giry that they must obey the orders of the Opera Ghost.
Christine informs her closest friend in the Opera, Meg (played by Hannah Clemons) that an old friend, Raoul, (played by Patrick Wulff) has seen her perform and has renewed their friendship. Christine confesses that they were close at one time. Christine is torn, however, because she is committed to her career, and is receiving instruction from an unknown teacher she calls her "Angel of Music." She soon discovers that her teacher is the shadowy figure known as the Opera Ghost, Erik, Phantom of the Opera (played by Mark Brown).
Joseph (played by Jordan Euell), the boyfriend of Meg, searches for the Opera Ghost, while the dancers (played by Amanda Abood, Haley Calhoun, Rachel Horseman, Rachel Hunter, and Dawn Zensmeister) see a shadowy figure lurking backstage at the Opera. It may be the Ratcatcher (played by Christopher Poore) or it may be the Opera Ghost.
Ticket and show information
Performance dates are Fridays and Saturdays through Aug. 21. All shows are at 8 p.m. at the Newell Theatre, on the 3rd Floor of the Quirk Cultural Center, 1201 Grant Ave. in Cuyahoga Falls.
Tickets are available at the door for all shows. There are no pre-show ticket sales. Ticket prices are $10 for Adults , $8 for students and $6 for seniors and children under 12.
More information can be found at www.antictheatre.org.
E-mail: ahelms@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3153
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