The 1996 musical adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera geared especially for kids age 8 and up, is making a return engagement to New York's Promenade Theatre March 15-23, under the auspices of Theatreworks USA.
The one-hour musical eliminates the character of Raoul, but otherwise stays faithful to the story of the disfigured musical genius who haunts the catacombs beneath the Paris Opera and mesmerizes a beautiful soprano. In this version, the Phantom gets a real chance to emerge from the darkness into the light.
Music and lyrics are by David Spencer, lyricist for Weird Romance and The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz with Alan Menken, and manager of the Aisle Say website. Spencer was named winner of a Special Commendation from the Gilman & Gonzalez-Falla Theatre Foundation in 1996 for his work in musical theatre. Librettist and director Barron co authored 1919: A Baseball Opera and has directed plays at Yale Rep, The Philadelphia Festival Theatre for New Plays and the Actors Studio in New York.
It is the latest musical adaptation of Gaston Leroux's novel. Previous versions include the long-running Broadway production by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Phantom by Maury Yeston and Ken Hill's Phantom of the Opera.
Tickets, which cost $18.50 and $14, can be purchased by calling (212) 420-8202.