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‘Phantom’ will haunt the stage in Huntington

The phantom of the opera will be terrorizing actors on the stage of

the Huntington Beach High School auditorium this weekend and next --

but don’t expect any “Music of the Night.”

This version of the classic French horror story -- titled simply

“Phantom” -- is a different show than the more famous Andrew Lloyd

Webber vehicle. But director Tim Nelson, who’s staging the production

for the Academy of the Performing Arts, promises just as many thrills

and chills.

“This is the Maury Yeston, Arthur Kopit version,” Nelson said,

referring to the composers of “Titanic,” “Nine” and “Grand Hotel.”

“Lloyd Webber’s rights are not yet available to the public,” he

added. “However, I’ve done this version a couple of times at the

Curtain Call [a dinner theater in Tustin], and generally people end

up loving this one more. It actually was performing in New York at

the same time as the other, but in workshop off-Broadway.”

The story is the same, adapted from the Gaston Leroux novel “The

Phantom of the Opera,” which has spawned several movie versions as

well as the two stage adaptations. Nelson refers to the Yeston-Kopit

creation as “musical theater in the finest sense.

“It is a sensation that enraptures audiences and critics with

beautiful songs and an expertly crafted book,” Nelson said. “It is

constructed around characters more richly developed than in any other

version, including the original novel.”

The music for the rendition being readied by the Academy of the

Performing Arts “is really filled with some of the most beautiful

music I’ve ever heard,” Nelson said. “The voices in this cast are so

impressive that I am really excited for everyone to hear.”

Those voices are headed by Josh Allton, in the title role of the

demonic music maker who haunts the Paris opera house, and Katie Dixon

as his captivated protege, Christine.

Other principals include Jared Swartz (Gerard Carriere), Erin Bull

(Carlotta), Stephen Amundson (her husband Cholet), Adam Mantell

(Philippe, the Count de Chandon) and Brian Wessels (Inspector

Ledoux).

Featured in the dream sequence will be Katie Ulrich, Michael

Falkenstein and Tim Garcia. Others in the cast are Troy Butcher,

Susan Bartolme, Kendall Richardson, Brittany Gerardi, Drew Davey,

Aaron Edmiston, Neil Starkenberg, Travis Coleman and Jared Marino.

“It’s a great way to spend the evening with a classic,” Nelson

said. “The cast of 50 really rocks the rafters with their sound, and

between the music, impressive set and, as always, live orchestra, you

really feel like you’re seeing a grand opera.”

Performances will be Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. through

Oct. 22, with two Sunday matinees, Oct. 16 and 23 at 2 p.m.

Performances will be in the school auditorium, 1905 Main St.,

Huntington Beach.

Call (714) 536-2514, ext. 4025 for reservations and information.

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