By Lynda Lacayo
The Phantom brings the “Music of the Night” to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts with Cameron Mackintosh’s extravagant production of “Phantom of the Opera” July 10-21.
For over 30 years, audiences have been captivated by the man and the music that is Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom of the Opera.” The latest adaptation of the timeless classic continues the magic with new scenic design by Paul Brown, new choreography by Scott Ambler, new staging by Director Laurence Connor and brilliant lighting design by Paul Constable. The original costume design by Maria Bjornson still remains at the heart of this “Phantom” as does the magnificent music and dazzling spectacle, including the legendary chandelier.
In producer Mackintosh’s words, this is “a new version of ‘Phantom’ which uses a more visceral dramatic approach to create a visual feast, giving audiences the chance to see their favorite musical all over again through new eyes.”
Among the cast of the “Phantom of the Opera” touring production is Trista Moldovan. Moldovan first appeared in “Phantom” during the 2011-12 season, starring as Christine in the 10,000th Broadway production. She joined the musical’s fourth national tour in 2016, this time as Prima Donna Carlotta Giudicelli, Christine’s volatile archival.
Moldovan claims she had never really envisioned herself as Carlotta. She says, “I secretly wanted to play Carlotta but never thought I would be right for it so it was never on my radar. It seemed like such a fun role, kind of sassy. But I’d played Christine and thought this is where I fit in this world. When I finished Christine, I figured, that’s it, my time with the Phantom is over. Then I happened to catch the show at the Kennedy Center and I remember thinking, OMG, I want to be Carlotta; that’s where I’m at right now in my life.”
Usually Christine is pictured as a sweet ingenue and Carlotta as an ego-driven diva. Moldovan has updated her role with a bit more humor. She says, “It’s nice that the creatives let me bring a lot of myself to the role. When I started learning the part I didn’t realize that what I was doing was funny until my first performance when I started getting some laughs and I thought, oh, that was fun.”
Carlotta isn’t all fun and games though. Moldovan describes her as “having worked very, very hard to get where she’s at in a cutthroat business. Then along comes Christine from the Corps de Ballet, who, as far as she knows, has never sung a note in her life. And Carlotta, justifiably so, is not happy about it. She sees Christine as someone who hasn’t paid her dues.”
Moldovan continues, “Carlotta is an entertaining character to play because she is the antithesis of who I am. My approach as an actress is to always keep everything truthful. So, I don’t see Carlotta as a self-centered maniac. It’s more important and effective not to approach her as a villain. She thinks she’s right and unfortunately she’s surrounded by people who don’t agree with her. When Carlotta says, ‘These things do happen,’ it’s because at this point she’s just completely had it. She’s incredulous when she realizes that everyone around her is an idiot.”
Being an onstage diva can translate into offstage role playing. Moldovan says, “When I walk off stage and fans are lined up at the stage door with playbills to autograph, I feel like I have to embody Carlotta. I carry myself like a leading lady as opposed to Christine where I could just be easy breezy. It’s fun to explore that side of myself, but really it’s just a way to treat myself by buying nice clothes and getting my nails done.”
“Phantom” is an elaborate production with its cast, crew and orchestra of 130 making it the largest show touring. Audiences can anticipate seeing the show they have always known and loved with all the grandeur of Broadway.
There are a few changes that take “Phantom” aficionados in a slightly different direction. Moldovan explains, “It’s the same story, same music with new staging and sets. Our brilliant director Laurence Connor looks at it with new eyes, broadening the story a bit more. Eyes for our generation, but ‘Phantom’ enthusiasts familiar with the celebrated original will love it as well.”
When asked to describe “Phantom” in three words, Moldovan replied with “larger than life” and then added lavish and pyrotechnics to her brief description of a show that is filled with such memorial scenes as her favorite “Masquerade” which she describes as a highlight of the show, saying, “When ‘Masquerade’ opens the second act and almost the entire company sings, there’s a gorgeous wall of sound; I feel merged together with the entire wonderful company. We literally feel the love through this black wall of the audience.”
“Phantom of the Opera” can only be described as monumental, with its 230 costumes, 14 dressers, 120 automated cues, 22 scene changes, 81 candles and use of 250 kg of dry ice and ten fog and smoke machines. Then there’s the chandelier, weighing in at one ton, with 6000 beads and dropping at six miles per second. Here’s another fun fact: the most sought-after seats are under the chandelier.
As to those 230 costumes per performance, Moldovan explains, “The public doesn’t realize that each actor has their own set of costumes. Principles, ensemble members, we are all covered by two people. And we don’t share costumes so each person has their own. The hundreds of opulent costumes speaks to the scale of the production. The show has been running for 30 years so imagine the New York warehouse with racks and rows of fabulous costumes. It’s a sight to behold.”
Moldovan recommends “Phantom” to audiences because it can be enjoyed by all ages. She says, “I’m moved by seeing new generations coming to the show. The young may appreciate the musical’s visual aspects and the older generation can relate to the emotional themes. It’s exciting to be a part of something that has inspired and entranced theater patrons for 30+ years.”
As the Phantom sings, “You alone can make my song take flight; help me make the music of the night.” It is a message to audiences to let the music soar at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. “Phantom of the Opera” runs July 10-21. For tickets and information: online at SCFTA.org; phone 714-556-2787, or the box office at 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
