Based on Gaston Leroux'”The Phantom of the Opera”

From the Tony Award-winning authors of Grand Hotel, Titanic and Nine

CLAREMONT, CA— This breathtaking musical by Arthur Kopit and Maury Yeston is a chilling, bittersweet story of a beautiful young soprano and the tragic, disfigured outcast who adores her. This version of the Gaston Leroux classic centers on the life of the man, not the monster. Filled with romance, comedy, drama and outstanding music, this show is not to be missed. The New York Times stated that Phantom has, “Rhapsodic music that entrances, moves and haunts…A welcome link to musical theatre’s golden past.”  Phantom opens February 11^th and runs through March 27^th at the Candlelight Pavilion.

In 1983, Geoffery Holder approached Maury Yeston and Arthur Kopit with a proposal to create a musical based on Gaston Leroux’ novel The Phantom of the Opera. Holder had obtained the rights to create a musical exclusively through Gaston Leroux’ estate, however, the novel was public property in England, therefore other composers, such as Andrew Lloyd Webber, were able to create their own versions of the story.  Due to the success of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s previous shows, he was able to obtain numerous backers and found that he was to produce his show on Broadway. This halted the production of Kopit and Yeston’s Phantom because their investors had backed out after hearing Andrew Lloyd Webber’s production.

With Yeston’s approval, Kopit rewrote the original script and sold it to NBC as a mini-series in 1990. The mini-series was filmed in the Opera Garnier in Paris with opera music. Though the music was not what was intended for the theatrical version, the show received great reviews and was finally produced on stage in 1991 by Theater Under the Stars in Texas. The music used for the show was more operetta in style compared to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s version. Kopit and Yeston’s version also focused more on the background of the Phantom and adheres to the original novel while expanding each characters’ background.

Phantom is directed and musically directed by David Lamoureux and is choreographed by DJ Gray for the Candlelight Pavilion. Of course, both are veterans at the Candlelight Pavilion as they have been involved in multiple productions. David Lamoureux was also in the original production of Phantomat the Candlelight Pavilion in 1996 as young Erik.  Through his direction, Lamoureux is striving to retell this classic story in a new light with younger performers than are typically cast for the roles. His purpose is to challenge audiences to see the characters in a new light and take more away from the story rather than comparing it to past productions. It was important to Lamoureux to create a new energy for this production.

Assisting in this new energy will be the Inland Pacific Ballet Company under the direction of DJ Gray. This marks the ballet company’s first appearance on the Candlelight Pavilion Stage. The company makes up the Corps de Ballet in the production and offers a great opportunity for audiences to see an amazing group of performers that they have not seen before on this stage.

The talented cast is led by Jordan Lamoureux as Erik, or the Phantom, Emily Lopez as Christine Daaé, Karenssa LeGear as Carlotta, John Lynd as Alaine Cholet, Isaac James as Count Phillippe de Chandon, Christopher Van Etten as Gerard Carriere, Walt Schaefer as Jean Claude, Neil Dale as Inspector Ledoux, and Michael Milligan as Joseph Buquet. The Corps de Ballet includes Shelby Farmer, Katilynne Vant Hul, Jessie Parmelee, Miranda Rose Farmer, Laura Alexim, Brandon J, and Reece Taylor. The ensemble cast includes Janell Henry, Blair Hollingsworth and Tony Winkle.

Phantom opens February 11 at the Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theater. Tickets are available by calling (909) 626-1254, ext 1. Regular ticket prices range from $48-$68 which includes both dinner and show.  Group rates are available for parties of 10 or more at even lower rates. The opening night performance on February 11^th is a show-only preview night available for $20.00 per ticket.  The Candlelight Pavilion is proud to announce its flexible payment plans to all Season ticket holders; save 10% on season tickets when you book as few as four shows.   For more information regarding the 2010 season line-up and ticketing, please visit us online atwww.thecpdt.com.