THEATER REVIEW : A ‘Phantom’ Fit for Orange County Stage

Question No. 1: Is it possible, after a 4 1/2-year run at the Ahmanson Theatre, that anyone in the greater Los Angeles area who wanted to see Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom of the Opera” has not already seen it?

Question No. 2: If you answered no to No. 1, then who were all those people Sunday night at the Orange County Performing Arts Center for the opening night of the Orange County stop of the show’s third--yes, third--national company?

Question No. 3: Would all of the Phantomaniacs ruthlessly compare the touring show’s Grant Norman’s Phantom to Davis Gaines’, or before his, Robert Guillaume’s, or before his, Michael Crawford’s? Or would there be a line of new Grantmaniacs forming near the dressing rooms after the show?

The emergence of Grantmania may be too early to call, but try as the show’s coterie of fans might to find production or musical cut-backs for this very expensive bus-and-truck edition, they will be hard-pressed to do so. Segerstrom Hall is no small house, and this “Phantom” fits it handsomely.

Norman’s tragic monster may lack a little of Crawford’s pure show-stopping energy, but this Phantom contains a desperation that we haven’t seen before, and Norman’s voice goes for the upper reaches with no strain.

Adrienne McEwan’s Christine, craved by both the Phantom and young Raoul (John Schroeder), is more of a puzzle. Christine is weak and tremulous as she tries out for the prima donna role, then becomes confidently strong. So with McEwan, particularly on “Angel of Music” and the showcaser, “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again,” when she can barely be heard above musical director Glenn Langdon’s fervent orchestra. Otherwise, Christine’s opera moments allow McEwan to prove her ample opera gifts, making her a worthy obsession of the Phantom.

The supporting cast feels right at home, firmly led by Schroeder, who explosively bursts through Raoul’s nice-guy shell when pushed too far.

* “Phantom of the Opera,” Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Tuesdays-Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 2 and 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Also Monday Aug. 29, 8 p.m. and Thursday Sept. 1, 2 p.m. $16.25-$61.25. (714) 740-2000. Running time: 2 hours, 35 minutes. Grant Norman: The Phantom Adrienne McEwan: Christine John Schroeder: Raoul Geena L. Jeffries: Carlotta David Cryer: Monsieur Firmin Roger E. DeWitt: Monsieur Andre Rebecca Judd: Madame Giry

Paul Jacobsen: Ubaldo

The national touring company of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical. Directed by Harold Prince. Music by Lloyd Webber. Lyrics by Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe. Book by Stilgoe. Production design: Maria Bjornson. Lights: Andrew Bridge. Sound: Martin Levan. Musical staging and choreography: Gilian Lynne. Musical director-conductor: Glenn Langdon.