Theater Reviews
NYC’s #1 FREE DAILY www.metro.us 18 theater WEEKEND, JUNE 24-26, 2011 live on broadway Also playing RETROSPECTIVE: Fast on 44th St. ‘Phantom’ facts: ‘Baby ‘Phantom Opened in London in It’s You!’ 1986; came to N.Y. in 1988 Won 7 Tony Awards that A Jersey housewife dis- year, including Best covers girl group, the Musical Shirelles, in this Became the longest- female-empowerment running show in 2006, story of the ’60s. of the Opera’ surpassing ‘Cats’ Broadhurst Theatre Played more than 9,700 $49-$177 performances on www.babyits Broadway; 65,000 total youonbroadway.com How does Broadway’s longest-running musical hold up after 23 years? Grossed more than $5 ‘Memphis’ Moving love story and powerful music balance dated elements billion worldwide JOAN MARCUS In 1950s Memphis, he challenge of a while scenes change; sim- finding love in a show that’s been on- ple aural tricks and flicker- dance club is anything Tstage for nearly a ing lights are as spooky as but safe; this musical quarter-century is to high-tech craft. However, a is inspired by a remain relevant to audi- rejuvenation of energy and true story. ences who might have ac- vision wouldn’t hurt the Shubert Theatre tually first seen it as chil- play, lest it rest on its lau- $42-$252 dren and can now bring rels and retire before your www.memphis their own. “Phantom of the grandkids can attend. themusical.com Opera,” which debuted on the Great White Way in he crystal-clear, mas- ‘Rock of 1988, is now at the Majestic terfully commanded Theatre showing the same Tvocals required by Ages’ songs you may know from the leads (currently a time when the B-side of Sara Jean Ford as Christine Set on the Sunset your Michael Crawford and Hugh Panaro as the Strip in 1987, this mixtape played George Phantom), held against rock musical features Michael.
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