A Wild New Tackle ‘Phantom of the Opera’ Is Coming, and No One Has Any Concept What It Is

For the previous few months, Phans (The Phantom of the Opera followers) have been following mysterious messages and clue drops round New York Metropolis for one thing known as Masquerade. Speak on-line abounded in regards to the roses left in Instances Sq. or the purple envelope letters signed by “the Opera Ghost” for the trustworthy, as a viral marketing campaign teased that one thing was coming within the realm of immersive theater. As a giant Phan and immersive theater nerd, I’ve waited from the far wings on the West Coast with main FOMO for extra information. And eventually, we all know who the minds are behind the teased venture primarily based on Gaston Leroux’s The Phantom of the Opera. 

Masquerade has formally been confirmed as a spin-off immersive expertise impressed by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera by Deadline. The commerce named Tony Award winner Diane Paulus (Waitress, Actual Girls Have Curves) as director, with Webber on board as a producer. It has not but been revealed if the immersive manufacturing will embrace musical performances or be an atmospheric walk-through very similar to NYC’s late nice Sleep No More.

The Phantom himself shared a press release via Deadline: “I’ve secured an tackle on 57th Road, a extra salubrious a part of city than my earlier, the place I’ve instructed the director Diane Paulus to organize my new imaginative and prescient of the legend,” it learn. “I’ve noticed that she has appreciable credentials within the fields of opera and musical theater. Beneath my steerage she has created, together with my minion Lloyd Webber, an occasion like no different with my characters performed by performers of remarkable skill.”

Fellow Phans can RSVP for extra information on the official site. Masquerade is slated to have a six-week preview run, with tickets occurring sale Monday, June 30, for the present. The engagement dates have but to be introduced.

Described as a manufacturing that’s “to be situated on a number of flooring” by Deadline, the expertise “is designed to simulate a masked ball with attendees transferring from room to room and ground to ground.” If a few of what TikTok has sleuthed is true, we could also be strolling via key moments from the musical’s e-book. The probabilities are making my creativeness run wild—there’s the cemetery, the Phantom’s lair, and, in fact, the masquerade. We no less than know the masquerade is the centerpiece of the manufacturing, as directions point out a strict gown code together with masks. On the official website you may also see pertinent particulars from “O.G.,” who we are able to simply say is a wonderful occasion planner with a aptitude for the dramatic.

“1) Masquerade is a 21+ occasion. Nevertheless, throughout the six-week preview interval, Saturday and Sunday Matinees shall be 16+
2) The gown code is for the six-week preview interval
3) Masks WILL be supplied to company freed from cost in the event that they arrive with out one. The complimentary masks are designed to be worn below glasses when you require them. Restricted version couture masks shall be out there for buy as nicely.
4) Friends can select both the glass of champagne OR a non-alcoholic glowing possibility on arrival
5) The expertise is ADA-accessible”

The small print of getting a masks on and it largely being a 21+ manufacturing are positively harking back to Sleep No Extra’s hallmarks. So this is perhaps Phantom in a means we’ve by no means seen. As a Common Monsters fan, the potential for horror tonally being concerned pleases me. A celebration of his return, homaging his entire legacy, could be a dream.

Now when you’ll excuse me, I must learn the way to safe seats in Field Quantity 5.

Need extra io9 information? Take a look at when to count on the most recent Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s subsequent for the DC Universe on film and TV, and the whole lot it’s worthwhile to learn about the way forward for Doctor Who.