Act 2 of Encore Screening of 'The Phantom of the Opera' at Royal Albert Hall in Celebration of 25 Years

This post continues with images from the second act of 'The Phantom of the Opera' 25th anniversary celebration performance at Royal Albert Hall. Note that the show is not billed as 'The Phantom of the Opera' 25th Anniversary Concert. It a fully staged presentation complete with sets and costumes.

Click HERE for a review of this special event. 
See the previous post or click HERE or to view first act production photos. (photos: Alasatir Muir/Getty Images & NBC/Universal; post updated with additional photos)

Raoul and Chrisine at the "Masquerade" ball.

(photos: Alasatir Muir/Getty Images & NBC/Universal)

The "Masquerade" ball.

Wynne Evans (Ubaldo), Wendy Ferguson (Carlotta) and Gareth Snook (Monsieur Andre).

The Phantom appears at the "Masquerade" ball.

Hadley Fraser (Raoul) and Madame Giry (Liz Robertson)=

Wendy Ferguson, Barry James (Monsier Firmin) and Sierra Boggess.

At right: Hadley Fraser and Sierra Boggess.

Hadley Fraser and Sierra Boggess

Wynne Evans and Wendy Ferguson

Sierra Boggess

At left: Hadley Fraser

Wendy Ferguson

Wynne Evans

Sierra Boggess

Ramin Karimloo (The Phantom)

Liz Robertson, Daisy Maywood (Meg Giry) and Hadley Fraser.

Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess

Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess

Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess

Ramin Karimloo and Hadley Fraser

Hadley Fraser and Sierra Boggess

Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess

Andrew Lloyd Webber

Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford (right, the original Christine and
Phantom) and Sierra Boggess and Ramin Karimloo. (photo: David M. Benett/Getty Images)

Seven Phantoms unmasked at the after party: (left to right) Anthony
Warlow, Ramin Karimloo, Michael Crawford, Colm Wilkinson, John
Owen-Jones and Peter Joback. (photo: David M. Benett/Getty Images)

Act 1 of Encore Screening of 'The Phantom of the Opera' at Royal Albert Hall in Celebration of 25 Years

The chandelier at the 'Phantom' in Celebration of 25 Years is unveiled
underneath a cloth with marked as "item 666". In lieu of show curtain
sliding video screens below the orchestra bridge and a larger video
screen above was also used as backdrops during the performance.
(photos: Alasatir Muir/Getty Images & NBC/Universal)

It was inevitable that I would attend the last screening of the cinema presentation of 'The Phantom of the Opera' at Royal Albert Hall in Celebration of 25 Years after having already seen it the week before. After viewing other productions filmed plays and musicals which were then shown on television or released on DVD, seeing these presentations in a movie theatre gives the show more justice than seeing it on the small screen. If you cannot see it live in the theatre then this is the next best thing.

Note that the show is not billed as 'The Phantom of the Opera' 25th Anniversary Concert unlike the anniversary event for 'Les Miserables' last year. It a fully staged presentation complete with sets and costumes.

Rather than go on, I recommend viewing the show when it is finally released on video. It will likely be presented on public television as other filmed presentations of musicals and plays have gone that route. In meantime here are more production shots from the 25th anniversary celebration performance of 'Phantom'.

Click HERE for more photos and a review of this special production.
These photos are from Act 1 of 'The Phantom of the Opera' at Royal Albert Hall. See the next post or click HERE for Act 2 production photos. (photos: Alasatir Muir/Getty Images & NBC/Universal; post has been updated with additional photographs)

Earl Carpenter plays the auctioneer of Lot 666.

Hadley Fraser playing the aged Raoul at the auction.

The "Hannibal" opera rehearsal.

Wendy Ferguson (Carlotta)

Wynne Evans (Ubaldo)

Christine takes her bow after "Think of Me".

The Phantom and Christine descend to his underground lair.

Sierra Boggess (Christine)

Sierra Boggess (Chrisine) and Ramin Karimloo (The Phantom)

Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess

Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess in the Phantom's lair.

Ramin Karimloo stars as The Phantom.

Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess

The Phantom sends his "Notes" to the opera house managers.

Barry James (Monsier Firmin)

The "Il Muto" opera

Wendy Ferguson (right) plays Carlotta.

The ballet in the "Il Muto" opera.

Hadley Fraser stars as Raoul.

Hadley Fraser and Sierra Boggess.

Ramin Karimloo

Return to 'Sunset Boulevard' at Diamond Head Theatre

The 'Sunset Boulevard' marquee at Diamond Head Theatre.
(photo: TheHopefulTraveler)

Yesterday I attended a second performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Sunset Boulevard' (click HERE to read my review) at Diamond Head Theatre. I've been attending performances at the venue since 1991 when I first saw another Lloyd Webber musical: 'Evita' which cemented that I would be a season ticket holder. Attending 'Sunset' again I was amazed at this polished production by DHT.

Including 'Sunset' and 'Evita', DHT has presented five Lloyd Webber musicals. The others are:

Jesus Christ Superstar (1993 & 2004)

Song & Dance (1994)

Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1996)

Although I would attend each show twice being a fan of the composer there is one production that I've attended three times at DHT. It's a guilty pleasure of mine and one of my favorites ever since seeing the original production on Broadway in 2006. That was the musical adaptation of the film 'The Wedding Singer'. Though DHT's 2009 production was very limited in its budget for the production design compared to other shows, the musical was well cast winning five Po'okela Awards (four of which was for acting). The Po'okela Awards is presented by the Hawaii Theatre Council for achievement in local theatre.

DHT bills itself as Broadway of the Pacific and is located along the slopes of famous Diamond Head crater. Because of its location in Honolulu, Hawaii and therefore distant from major cities on the U.S. mainland, it has been able to snag rights to some productions before other community theaters. The theatre currently presents a six-show season consisting of five musicals and one play of both Broadway and off-Broadway productions. The 2011-2012 season continues with Rodgers & Hammerstein's 'Cinderella,' 'The Butler Did It,' 'Titanic,' 'Xanadu' and 'Singin' in the Rain.' Click HERE to view the DHT season archives for a list of past productions.

Performances run for three weekends (though extensions are rare) with performances Thu-Sat 8pm; Sat 3pm and Sun 4pm. The second Sunday performance usually is an interpreted and described performance for the deaf community and includes a talk back post show discussion with the creative team and actors.

Though the name Diamond Head Theatre was adopted in 1990, the theatre has a history beginning in 1915 when it was called The Footlights. This makes DHT the third oldest continuously operating community theatre in the United States. From 1934 to 1990 the group was called Honolulu Community Theatre.

Visit diamondheadtheatre.com or call 808-733-0274 for more info. The theatre is located at 520 Makapuu Avenue in Honolulu, Hawaii. 

The opening scene of 'Sunset Boulevard' at DHT.
(photo above and below: Brad Goda) 

Mary Gutzi stars as Norma Desmond and Matthew Pennaz as Joe Gillis
in 'Sunset Boulevard'.