‘Masquerade’ is a perfect venture into the Phantom’s side of things
Immersive theatre is a mixed bag. It doesn’t always work but when it does, it is magical. Like the production of The Phantom of the Opera happening in New York known as Masquerade.
The immersive experience allows those in attendance the chance to go through the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical through the perspective of the Phantom. But what makes this feel like a unique way to experience the musical is the show’s willingness to engage with the audience. From the moment you step into Masquerade, you are part of the story.
Christine’s story is still the same: She’s young dancer who is being trained by the Opera Ghost. She believes that it is the ghost of her dead father teaching her but lurking in the shadows is Erik, a man with a disfigured face who hides in the basement of the Paris Opera House. And you’re still there with her but the Phantom is hiding behind every corner, watching. You see things that were fully his doing and his moments because this is his time in many ways.
And that is fun and exciting but that’s not even close to the best part of the experience. Heading into the show, I was far from a Webber fan and Phantom is not one of my favorite shows. But I have a new appreciation for this work after experiencing Masquerade.
The magic of Masquerade comes fully from feeling like part of the show. You will be asked to participate and it made this feel like something else entirely for me. I know this story well and that didn’t even matter as we went through the opera house. Mainly because we were all part of this and the creative team gave something new to even die hard fans.
It is worth it for fans of Phantom and new audience members alike
There is a lot that makes this production worthwhile and rightfully so. The price of a ticket comes with free champagne, another moment in the show with a drink, and a free mask to take part in the show. And the mask is, in my opinion, one of the best additions to the show. I felt mysterious and part of the story and the use of masks by the end of the show moved me to tears.
It is, in a lot of ways, what immersive theatre should do. Especially with shows that we know well. Masquerade doesn’t rely on the lore or the bible of the show except as a guiding light. Some things happen out of order, there are scenes added, and it all leads to a captivating take on the musical.
If you have the chance to see Masquerade while in New York, you need to take it. You too can be playing piano when the Phantom decides to cause a little chaos to share his love for Christine. At least go to experience the title song “Phantom of the Opera” while riding down an escalator. That is life changing.
(featured image: Universal Pictures)
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