The Phantom of the Opera

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s tale of a disfigured mystery man (Richard Todd Adams) who hides below the Paris Opera House and falls in love with a beautiful soprano (Trista Moldovan) is the longest-running Broadway show in history. This gorgeous production reminds us its success is no fluke. Adams possesses a powerful emotion-drenched voice ideal for playing the part of a man overwhelmed by obsession and pain. Former soap star Moldovan can hold her own onstage beside him with her angelic face and songs to match. Nancy Hess provides comic relief as the fiery Madame Giry—or as my companion called her, “the awesome bitch with the staff.” My only complaint: Could somebody please tweak the script and make Christine’s love interest Raoul (Greg Mills) a little more interesting than a brick wall? No actor can make this shmuck a worthwhile character. The Phantom should look on the bright side—he doesn’t manage to steal the girl, but he sure as hell does the show. ERIKA HOBART Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St., 292-ARTS, www.theparamount.com. $20–$100. 7:30 p.m. Tues.–Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri., 2 & 8 p.m. Sat., 1 & 6:30 p.m. Sun. Ends Oct. 5.

Tuesdays-Thursdays, 7:30 p.m.; Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 2 & 8 p.m.; Sundays, 1 & 6:30 p.m. Starts: Sept. 10. Continues through Oct. 5, 2008