'Phantom Of The Opera' Brings Music Of The Night To Council Rock

HOLLAND, PA — The music of the night will descend on Council Rock South this week when a cast of more than 60 students brings the hauntingly beautiful, yet tragic love story of “The Phantom of the Opera” to the stage.

With incredible costumes, a memorable score, and even a chandelier hanging from the ceiling of the auditorium, the Golden Hawks Theatre Company presents four performances only of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Nov. 13 to 15 with shows at 7 p.m. on Nov. 13, 14 and 15 and at 2 p.m. on Nov. 15 at Council Rock High School South.

The Phantom of the Opera is based on Gaston Leroux's novel, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It tells the story of a masked, disfigured musical genius who haunts the Paris Opera House and becomes obsessed with a young soprano named Christine Daae. While mentoring her to stardom, the Phantom manipulates the opera house to his will, but his jealousy escalates when Christine falls for her childhood friend, Raoul.

The story is a gothic romance involving obsession, love, and murder, culminating in a tense confrontation between the three central characters.

The musical score is filled with such iconic, beloved numbers as “Think Of Me,” “Music of the Night,” “All I Ask of You,” and the title song, “Phantom of the Opera.”

“The audience is going to hear some of the best music they’ve ever heard at a high school level, hands down,” said South’s Vocal Director Corey Axler. “They are going to be so impressed to realize this is a high school doing this. The music is beautiful and the students nail it every time. It’s just top notch.”

Christine and Raoul. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Scene from "Masquerade." (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Scene from "Masquerade." (Jeff Werner/Patch)

The Phantom holds up the manuscript for "Don Juan." (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Christine and Raoul in "Masquerade." (Jeff Werner)

This will be the first time in 13 years that the Golden Hawks are presenting the show, which is rarely staged at the high school level due to its challenging musical score.

Under the guidance of director Lori Naglak, Music Director Corey Axler, and Technical Director Thomas Chieffo, students take full creative ownership, from stage direction to design, and prove that young artists can produce Broadway-level magic with heart and dedication. Featuring elaborate set design, including a handmade chandelier centerpiece, the production is entirely student-led both onstage and off.

“The audience can expect to be thrilled and visually entertained just with the lighting and the sets alone. But then when those beautiful voices come out, we have the total package this year,” said Naglak.

Sharing the role of Christine Daée are seniors Sherry Klein and Simone Shvarts, who are bringing a lot of passion and vocal talents to the role.

“All of our experiences from our past 10 shows have come together in this. It’s just been such a cool experience to combine our expertise,” said the two. “We’re stepping into this role not only for the first time together but we’re also presidents together this year. There’s a lot of learning curve, but it’s been such a cool experience.

“Working together is easy in a way because we lead each other in the right direction,” said Sherry. Adds Simone, “If I’m not understanding something, Sherry will catch me.”

And vice versa, said Sherry.

Both seniors are encouraging everyone to come out to see the show. “It’s a fabulous love story. It’s a fabulous production,” said Sherry. “It’s a show you’re really going to enjoy from the score, to the singing, the acting and the costumes. And even if you’re not a Phantom of the Opera person, just come out to appreciate the art, the talent, the beauty, and the energy and effort that has gone into this production.”

Adds Simone, “You may also be seeing future Broadway actors and actresses on stage. Plus, this show is so beautiful and so mesmerizing.”

Sherry will be performing Thursday night and Saturday night, while Simone will take the stage Friday night and Saturday matinee.

(Jeff Werner/Patch)

Christine and the Phantom. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Performing in the role of the Phantom will be seniors Nick Devlin and Nick Herzog. Both said it’s been a dream role to play and both are bringing their own unique take on the masked, disfigured musical genius to the stage.

“I really see the Phantom as the villain so I play off the emotion and bring tension to the scenes when I can,” said Devlin.

“I’m the complete opposite,” said Herzog. “I like it when the Phantom is more emotional but not angry. I like it when he shows a real human side of himself and not this monstrous creature.”

The biggest challenge has been the singing and the memorization, said Herzog. “It’s such a fun role to sing, but we sing pretty much the entire show.”

Both Phantoms agree that people who come out to see the show are going to see “an amazing show filled with talented people.” “It’s going to be an experience like no other,” said Herzog.

Devlin will be playing the Phantom on Thursday night and on Saturday afternoon. Herzog will be on stage on Friday and Saturday night.

Tickets are available by clicking here.