Phantom of the Opera

Curtain to Rise on Ambitious Windham High School Production

WHS Presents Phantom of the Opera

Windham High School is set to mount its most sophisticated theater project to date, presenting Andrew Lloyd Webber’s internationally acclaimed musical Phantom of the Opera over two weekends, with performances March 9-10 and 16-17 at 7:30 pm.

Showcasing a broad spectrum of student involvement, Windham High’s Phantom offers up vocal, dramatic, orchestral, dance, and staging talent reflecting the school’s extraordinary commitment to theater arts at the high school level.  Like other internationally popular and award winning Lloyd Weber scores, Phantom’s music is both captivating and extremely challenging, requiring a high level of voice training to execute.  The cast has been hard at work learning their parts.  Members of Windham High School’s concert bands are set to accompany the stage talent, embracing Webber’s sophisticated and very challenging musical score.   

Set in Paris in the 1870s, Phantom of the Opera costumes and set reflect a golden and colorful era. The production, known for its colorful drama and opulence, depends as much on the staging as it does on musical and dance talent.  At Windham High School, backstage and pre-show crews are working hard to create the period atmosphere integral to the show’s success through sophisticated set design, dramatic makeup, costume creation, and scenic artistry constructed long before the curtain rises and the first notes are sung.  A bevy of student talent is woven into the fabric of the story’s portrayal.  The complexities of the show require collaboration across artistic disciplines and extraordinary commitment from the cast, including daily rehearsals throughout February vacation.  Pre-production work began before the students’ winter break, and has afforded students in the WHS Stage Design and Technology course an opportunity to employ skills learned in the classroom. Much work remains to be completed on the massive and sophisticated sets called for by the show. 

Based on Leroux's 1911 novel, Phantom of the Opera tells the story of a disfigured musical genius who terrifies the city's premiere opera house.  The iconic Phantom's mask hides a grotesque medical condition that left him abandoned by his family and shunned by society.  Christine, a naïve, orphaned teenager, delivers a mesmerizing opening night opera performance that captivates both the audience and the Phantom, who consequently devotes himself to the young protégé’s operatic rise.  Though she is endeared by her charismatic mentor, Christine is attracted to wealthy theater patron Raoul, enraging the Phantom and setting the stage for drama, passion, jealousy, and obsession.  As the Phantom watches Christine become drawn to Raoul, his rage and desire increase, and he plots to gain her love. Phantom is the highest-grossing entertainment event of all time, the most financially successful theatrical show in history, and the winner of over 50 major critical awards. 

Windham High School Drama Director George Kendall has set the bar high for performers and crew alike.  With four performances over two weekends, the ambitious full-scale production is one area patrons will not want to miss.  Reserved seat tickets for all shows will be available beginning in late February.  For more information visit www.windhamhighschool.org.