The Phantom of The Opera at Straz Center

Straz Center provided me with a pair of tickets to watch and review The Phantom of the Opera. All thoughts and opinions, as always, are 100% my own.

When the Tampa Bay Bloggers Network was given the opportunity to view The Phantom of the Opera at Straz Center in Tampa, I didn’t just jump at the chance but I shouted, “Please pick me pick me pick me!” (Not quite – but you get the idea.) I’ve seen Phantom of the Opera at least 5 or 6 times so far in my lifetime. My mom and I would go and see it when it came to The Bushnell Theatre in Connecticut. And then, once we moved to Florida, we would go see it at Straz Center whenever it came to town. This year, because of busyness, I didn’t even realize it was in town – until the opportunity came for me to review the play.

Friday night, hubby and I headed to Tampa for a rare date night without our two year old. We were excited. This time of the year is very busy for us from a blogging standpoint. Add in the fact that we have a very busy two year old and I’m trying to get ready for Christmas and life is just crazy. So getting the chance to unplug and unwind was very exciting for us! We arrived at Straz Center and found our seats. We were seated in the last row of the theater, dead center. I want to tell you right up front, do not be scared of seats in the back of the house. These seats were fantastic. Because we were far back, we were able to fully appreciate the stage and we didn’t miss anything going on on stage.

A view of the spectacular chandelier during intermission

Phantom has made some fantastic changes to the play this year. The play features “scenic design by Paul Brown, Tony Award®-winning original costume design by Maria Björnson, lighting design by Tony Award®-winner Paule Constable, new choreography by Scott Ambler and a new staging by director Laurence Connor.”

With the new scenic designs, everything is bigger, brighter, and more lavish than before. Scene after scene I would marvel at how elaborate the rooms were and how breathtaking the decorations, lighting and details were displayed. The “feel” of Phantom of the Opera is still the same. But visually, everything is updated and more spectacular.

One of my favorite aspects of Phantom of the Opera has always been the costumes. The costumes are still as visually appealing as ever. They are even more lavish.

And the music and acting. Sigh. I could watch and listen to the music of The Phantom of the Opera every.single.day. The acting and music did not disappoint. There are slight changes to the score from years past. And the acting showed some slight changes as well. The mood was darker and edgier. And dare I say, even more amazing. The musical changes were slight. Noticeable only if you had the entire score memorized (I do). The music is still beautiful, haunting and catchy. Hubby has been singing “Masquerade” daily since we saw the play on Friday.

One of the highlights, for me, was seeing that Chris Mann played the Phantom. I’ve been following his music ever since I met him at a blogging conference called Blissdom in Nashville a few years ago. He was singing his heart out at the conference and also as a runner up on The Voice. As Phantom, he was amazing. His voice was so pure and dramatic. I could listen to him sing to me all night. I also had a bit of a school girl crush when I tweeted about him (during intermission) and he replied to my tweet. So fun 🙂

If you live in Tampa Bay, it isn’t too late to go see The Phantom of the Opera at Straz Center. Shows go through January 4^th. There are two showings each weekend day. There is not a bad seat in the house. You will not be disappointed. I promise. Go HERE for more info and to purchase tickets.