My love affair with The Phantom of the Opera began upon hearing Andrew Lloyd Webber was working on a musical version. “He’s crazy.” are the words I uttered back to my radio. How was he going to handle staging the lake under the Paris Opera House and of course the chandelier crashing down on the stage. Needless to say my curiosity was aroused.
Once the soundtrack came out, it was on constant repeat on my stereo. The powerful music and outstanding singing was mesmerizing. Listening to it made me feel as though I was in the musical with the cast. This was back in 1986 a long before meeting Joe.
In fall of 1990 Joe and I started dating and then in March 1992, we traveled to Toronto watch Phantom at the Pantages Theatre. He knew how much I wanted to see it. We loved it and Joe was not a musical theatre person. He was Def Leppard, Poison, and a Yanni person.
Our seats were in the balcony so we had an excellent view of the whole stage. Finally, I found out how they made the lake and the chandelier work. It was a site to behold watching the gondolier glide across the lake and candelabras rise up out of the stage as the Phantom took Christine to his lair. Seeing the chandelier come crashing down was equally as spectacular. I can only imagine how it felt for those who were sitting beneath it as it flew over their heads.
Joe was especially fond of Patty Goble, the lady who played Christine that night. Colm Wilkinson (Jean Valjean in Les Miserables) played the Phantom and was excellent.
First Dance
While planning our wedding, I decided our first dance had to be unique and different. I chose The Music of the Night sung by Michael Crawford of the Original London cast recording. It is a love song the Phantom sings to Christine after he takes her to his lair beneath the Paris Opera House. Joe agreed with my decision. (if he didn’t the light over the dining room table would have come down upon his head. :D)
My plan was for Joe and me to dance to the first part of the song and then the DJ could introduce the bridal party. That way our guests did not have to watch Joe and me attempt to slow dance for very long.
The DJ waited till the song was about over to introduce the bridal party so our guests were treated Twinkle-Toes Michele and Two-Left-Feet Joe attempting to gracefully dance around the ballroom floor.
“The Music Of The Night”
Nighttime sharpens, heightens each sensation.
Darkness stirs and wakes imagination.
Silently the senses abandon their defences…
Slowly, gently, night unfurls its splendour.
Grasp it, sense it tremulous and tender.
Turn your face away from the garish light of day,
Turn your face away from cold, unfeeling light –
and listen to the music of the night…
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams!
Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before!
Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar!
And you’ll live as you’ve never lived before.
Softly, deftly, music shall caress you.
Hear it, feel it, secretly possess you.
Open up your mind, let your fantasies unwind,
in this darkness which you know you cannot fight
the darkness of the music of the night.
Let your mind start a journey through a strange, new world!
Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before!
Let your soul take you where you long to be!
Only then can you belong to me.
Floating, falling, sweet intoxication!
Touch me, trust me, savour each sensation!
Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in,
To the harmony which dreams alone can write,
The power of the music of the night!
You alone can make my song take flight,
Help me make the music of the night.
Every anniversary we played The Music of the Night and danced the night away remembering our wonderful wedding day and the trip to Toronto.
Bio: Michele Kearns is the founder and HUG© (Hope Unites Globally) Award-Winner of JoyReturns.
JoyReturns 
Phantom of the Opera entered my life in 2013- it was recommended by my mom; a musical that entered my life through the music. The 25th special was how I first saw the stage show, and eventually in 2014 finally saw it person
I love the 25th Special, played it a lot during lockdown. It was one of the places I found comfort. Glad you were able to see it in person.
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Hauntingly beautiful, angelic, and spellbinding
Thank you.
https://megsmagicalmusings.wordpress.com/2023/04/16/phantom-of-the-opera-my-love-for-it/
What a beautiful love story! Your passion for The Phantom of the Opera is contagious. I’m curious, have you seen any other musicals that have captured your heart in the same way or is The Phantom of the Opera your forever favorite?
MR W
http://www.primarytinting.net
I was awestruck by the movie version of The Sound of Music as a kid. Saw Starlight Express back in the 80’s and that was a cool musical. But I would say The Sound of Music and The Phantom are neck and neck. Tough to pick between the two.
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