FEBRUARY 22- MARCH 5

Phantom of the Opera will be back at The Fox and “bigger and better than ever,” says Seth Sklar- Heyn, associate director, who has been with the show since its Broadway debut in 1986. “We’re like a small city rolling into town with 20 tractor-trailers and a 50- plus cast,” he says.

What’s new? A Paul Brown set that is larger and “more naturalistically detailed, less surreal, but no less satisfying to viewers,” he says. “They are true environments that transport the audience.”

New technology boosts the numerous special effects, including the iconic chandelier that hangs over the audience, breaking down the fourth wall and drawing viewers into the story.

The man behind the mask is also new. “Derrick Davis is only the third African American in the role, and he is stunning,” says Sklar- Heyn. “We believe that the love story is heightened in this production. The Phantom and Raoul are more peers, and we see Christine struggling to make a decision.”

Returning, of course, are the lush score of Andrew Lloyd Weber and the award-winning, original costuming of Maria Björnson. Sklar-Heyn invites devotees of the original production back for another look. “I’ve watched this production hundreds of times, and each time I see something I didn’t see before. There are so many layers,” he says.

foxtheatre.org

Photo: Matthew Murphy