Phantom: the most tragic love story of all time!
Hi! Well, I'm a freshman in highschool and a completely obsessed Phantom of the Opera phan! I first saw the musical when I was in 6th grade on a field trip. I remember thinking "Oh gosh... this is going to be SO boring... I should have brought a book or something.." However, from the moment the chandelier rose to the moment when the curtain fell, I was spellbound! It was possibly the best thing I had ever seen in my entire life. I remember feeling so bad for Erik, the Phantom. Well, afterwards, I bought the book by Gaston Leroux in the gift shop. The second I opened that book, I could not put it down! I read it before school... during school (hehe)... and after school. When I finished, I actually ended up reading it a second time. ^_^ Erik is filled with so much misery, sorrow, and rejection. Throughout the entire story, I felt my heart reach out to him - especially in the chapter, "Apollo's Lyre" where Christine expressed her fear of him, while unbeknownst to her, poor Erik was listening. The fact that he let her go, as a result of his undying love for her, was just so heartbreaking! The one woman he ever loved... Since then, I have read the original book 6 times, I have read 11 other phantom-related books (Susan Kay's being the best, after Leroux's of course), and I have seen the musical three times (it rarely comes to FL) but I am seeing it again this summer in NYC (finally!) and once again in December when it returns to Florida! I would most DEFINITELY reccommend this book to anyone who's willing to read it, and then they need to see the musical and read Susan Kay's 'Phantom'!
this id directed to phantomina
ah yes, it's the most seen musical in the world! actually since you are in europe you'd have easier access to those of us stuck stateside for research. the paris opera archives are a good place to start.