'Phantom of the Opera' Comes to the Agoura Hills Performing Arts Education Center

Tony Award-winning Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera is the first musical to debut at the Agoura High School Performing Arts Education Center.

Directed by theater veteran Ray Saar with musical direction by John Mosley–who is retiring at the end of this year–and Chad Bloom, the production will run April 24-27.

"To see this show is to experience history," said Saar, whose credits include Raoul in the San Francisco run of Phantom. "'Phantom' is the longest running show on Broadway, this is a unversal experience. You will feel the passion in this incredible story."

Saar cast dual roles for the main characters of the Phantom and Christine Daaé who will each perform on alternating nights.

"My philosophy is to make sure as many students as possible have the opportunity for main roles," he said.

Brennan Leininger, 17, will portray the title role both Thursday and Saturday evenings. He said playing the lead in this production was a personal challenge.

"It's difficult," he said. "I'm only in high school, and I've never personally experienced a deformity or disease as he has."

Saar had the students glean from their own life experiences to portray their respective characters.

"Ray broke down each scene for us and explained what we would be feeling," Leiniger said. "Otherwise, the role would have been hard to play."

Kathy Steele, 16, will star opposite Leniger as the the object of the Phantom's unrequited love.

"Getting to play Christine is why I got into musical theater at the age of eight," said Steele. "It's a dream come true."

The roles require the students to perform with an operatic flair. Saar had his wife, Diane Ketchie, a singing coach from the faculty at CSUN whom he met in the San Francisco production (she played Carlotta), work with the students to develop their voices.

"Our voices don't stop developing until later in life, so I had Diane work with the students to bring out their fullest range," said Saar. "She brings pedigree to the show."

Of Mosley's retirement, Saar said the 36-year teaching veteran has been a guiding force behind the success of the performing arts department at Agoura High.

"I think he chose Phantom, because he wanted to go out with a bang," he said.

Admission is $12 for students/seniors, $17 for adults. Click here to purchase tickets. Tickets can also be purchased at the door.