Gaston Leroux’s novel “The Phantom of the Opera” has been retold in many forms and styles, but one of my personal favorites is the Maury Yeston-Arthur Kopit musical that has returned to the area in a mostly lovely new production at the Manatee Performing Arts Center.
James Alexander Hyde as the Phantom and Sophia Masterson as the singer Christine in the Manatee Players production of "Phantom." BRIAN CRAFT PHOTO/MANATEE PLAYERS
Where Andrew Lloyd Webber’s long-running hit is filled with glitz, flash and style, Yeston and Kopit bring more heart and humanity to their version, sharing the backstory of how the hideously disfigured Phantom came to haunt the Paris Opera House, where he makes his home in an underground lair.
Audiences have loved Lloyd Webber’s musical for decades, but I always care more for Erik (he actually has a name here) in Kopit’s book and some of the gorgeous songs written by Yeston, who also composed the musicals “Nine” and “Titanic.” His score, well played by the band led by musical director Aaron Cassette, is filled with beautiful and haunting melodies that you can actually hum on the way out of the theater.
Many of them are sung by the rich-voiced James Alexander Hyde, who brings power and emotion to his role as Erik, who disdains the new diva, Carlotta, as he encourages a young singer named Christine and then falls for her. The tragedy is that he knows they can never really be together because of the face he hides behind a white mask.
Hyde’s voice sounds more robust and richer since he was last seen as Marius in “Les Miserables” at the Manatee Players and in “Catch Me if You Can” at the Players Theatre. He is only hampered by the placement of the mask, which causes some softer words to get swallowed up under the material.
Kris Sethi plays the opera singer and diva Carlotta in "Phantom" at the Manatee Players. BRIAN CRAFT PHOTO/MANATEE PLAYERS
You also get some sweet sounds from the Christine played by Sophia Masterson, who also has a powerful voice, which, like her character, needs a bit more training for control and focus. But there’s a tender spirit to her performance.
The show’s most heartwarming moments are between Hyde and Chris Caswell as the former opera house manager who has watched over the phantom for most of his life. You feel a connection between them, even with Hyde’s face hidden behind a mask.
For humor, you can turn to Kris Sethi as an over-the-top opera diva Carlotta, who with Cory Woomert as her manager/husband Alain, has taken over the Paris Opera. Wrapped up in elaborate and silky costumes designed by Becky Evans, Sethi exudes the confidence of a character who doesn’t know how untalented she is. Woomert has an effective unctuous quality.
Diana Dizon dances the role of the Phantom's mother in flashbacks in the musical "Phantom" at the Manatee Players. BRIAN CRAFT PHOTO/MANATEE PLAYERS
The cast also includes Tristan Martin as a charming aristocrat who becomes Christine’s supporter, and the lovely dancing of Diana Dizon, who plays Erik’s mother in flashback sequences that are evocatively and emotionally choreographed by Vanessa Russo.
Dan Yerman’s sets are functional more than elaborate, and the stage is given a moody glow under Joseph P. Oshry’s lighting.
The production is staged by Steve Dawson, who helps his cast bring out the humor and emotions in a genuine way that help us care more about them as we revel in sweet melodies that give life and light to the familiar story.
THEATER REVIEW
PHANTOM
Book by Arthur Kopit, music and lyrics by Maury Yeston. Directed by Steve Dawson. Reviewed April 21, Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 3rd Ave., West, Bradenton. Through May 8. 941-748-5875; manateeperformingartscenter.com
