Review: MASQUERADE is a Hauntingly Captivating Immersive Re-Imagining of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

Over New York Comic Con weekend, we had the opportunity to attend the Masquerade, the new immersive re-imagining of the wildly successful The Phantom of the Opera Broadway show. There are so many amazing things to say about Masquerade, but first, I'll share some of our history with The Opera Ghost!

My love of The Phantom of the Opera started decades ago, with vivid memories of watching the 1925 Lon Chaney adaptation with my mother at an early age. Since then, I've been captivated by how each adaptation has its own take on the Phantom story: There's the more sympathetic version, like we see in the 1962 Hammer production, a stark contrast to the more Freddy-inspired take in the 1989 version starring Robert Englund. And of course, I've seen both 'Phantom' on Broadway and off-Broadway, along with the movie version of the Andrew Lloyd Webber production. When we attended the Broadway show for the first time, it was so surreal to me that I was even able to see it, and the emotions that I felt seeing it performed in front of me were indescribable. I was very heartbroken when Phantom left Broadway. It is, however, still playing in London's West End, which I hope to see someday!

Before discussing Masquerade in more detail, a little note for those that are already interested in attending: Part of the experience is the surprise of not knowing what's next, so if you're a huge fan of The Phantom of the Opera and are already considering attending Masquerade, this is a must-see and I suggest you avoid social media reactions and spoilery reviews. What follows are only high-level details, but if you're thinking about attending, my strong suggestion is to skip reading about it and pick up tickets ASAP!

Masquerade's take on The Phantom of the Opera fully immerses you in the Broadway production. Unlike a traditional seated show, you'll traverse the Masquerade complex from one elaborate set to the next, essentially being in the middle of the stage as the cast performs around you (and in some cases directly for you).  It's a black-tie affair, so everyone who attends is dressed up and must wear a masquerade mask (if you don't have one, they'll provide you with one). Following check-in, everyone you meet is in-character and you become part of the show. The actors are wonderful in their roles and interact with the audience in a way that brings you into the world of 'Phantom.' It's one thing to see a performance from a hundred feet away, and it's a completely different experience to hear all of the classic 'Phantom' songs performed at times only a few feet from you. Their voices and performances are captivating, and it brought tears to my eyes from beginning to end.

As you are guided through each scene, the "audience" is placed where everyone can enjoy the show. We were with a group of about 40 other guests and it was an incredibly intimate experience for everyone. Masquerade is designed so that everyone has a slightly different and customized experience. Characters you focus on may change depending on where you sit, but there are also characters that may interact with you, ask you to help them briefly, or you may receive a note from "The Opera Ghost." My husband and I received dance lessons and were pulled in by an actor to dance in an early masquerade scene, a surreal moment that immediately let us know we were in for something special. By the end of Masquerade, our group was clapping and crying from not only the tremendous performances, but how overall moving the story and experience was. From the moment you enter to the moment you leave, the creators and cast have meticulously crafted The Opera Populaire to ensure your night at the Opera is one you won't quickly forget!

I can't talk about this experience without spending time talking about The Phantom and Christine. Masquerade runs multiple shows per night, staggered, but, concurrently. That means that there are multiple Phantoms and Christines performing each night. It's one thing to perform when the audience is at a distance and another thing entirely when you're performing feet away from the audience. Of course, it takes a team to put this together, with makeup, lighting, music, and sets immersing you in this world. But, it's The Phantom and Christine that have to do the heavy lifting of making this experience believable, and I was fully mesmerized by their singing and acting. Our experience was performed by Phumzile Sojola as The Phantom and Kaley Ann Voorhees as Christine, whose spellbinding acting and singing made Masquerade an unforgettable night.

Each adaptation of the 'Phantom' story puts its own spin on the Phantom's backstory as well as his relationship with Christine. Without going into too much detail, this adaptation builds upon the story of the Broadway production, with a new backstory for "The Phantom" and an expanded conclusion that really sends a strong message on the importance of art, and the need for companionship and understanding. At the end of the day, if we could all be understood and accepted for who we are without fear of persecution, the world would indeed be a better place, and I left Masquerade with a positivity I didn't necessarily have when I first entered. The entire experience was mesmerizing, emotional, and powerful in a way that I had not anticipated when we first entered Masquerade and I am excited to return, as there are so many little details I'm sure I missed on my first visit.

If you haven't seen any of The Phantom of the Opera productions or movies, don't worry! It's worth attending even if you don't know the story or the songs, and trust me when I say that, afterward, you will want to explore other adaptations. You can feel the love that all of the cast and creators have put into this production; it shows through in every scene, every interaction, and every breathtaking performance. Masquerade is a hauntingly captivating experience you do not want to miss! As a lifelong Phantom fan, I would highly recommend it to everyone in the NYC area, and if you love Phantom as much as I do, it's worth traveling to indulge in the sweet intoxication of Masquerade!

Review Score: 5/5

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To learn more about Masquerade and purchase tickets, visit: https://masqueradenyc.com/

In the NYC area and don't have plans for Halloween night? Masquerade has you covered with a special event: "LE BAL MACABRE - A HALLOWEEN SOIRÉE"

This All Hallows’ Eve, Masquerade invites  guests deeper inside the world of the Phantom of the Opera than ever before with  Le Bal Macabre, a Halloween Soirée following the holiday evening performance. For  the first time ever, the public will be able to revel after-hours beneath the glittering  chandelier, marvel at live performances provided by The Box, and dance to the  Music of the Night all night long. 

Tickets to the October 31 performance and soirée, as well as for soirée-only entry  both early and late, are now available at http://www.masqueradenyc.com/halloween.  Extravagant and macabre attire in black, silver, or white is requested. Masquerade  masks are, as ever, required.

Photo Provided by MASQUERADE - Credit: Hugh Panaro and Francesca Mehrotra in MASQUERADE (Photo by Oscar Ouk)