Phantom of the Opera returns to San Antonio's Majestic Theater for a long engagement. The touring cast's Raoul is played by San AntonianStormLineberger, and as if there's not enough human drama in Phantom already, when I spoke to him Monday, he revealed this.
"Phantom was the first show I ever saw there, with my grandmother in fact. And it'll be a pretty special treat for her to see me doing that show now."
Lineberger said the audience will be filled with many close to him.
"Absolutely! There's a huge contingent of people, family and friends, seeing the show."
I asked what was it about Phantom that makes it a cross-generation success.
"I'd say it starts with Andrew Lloyd Webber's music."
The Tony Award-Winning play is the longest running in Broadway history, and has toured extensively as well. Lineberger says those who have seen Phantom will recognize what they love about it. But this production has something more.
"Same beautiful Andrew Lloyd Webber music, same classic tale. Just a re-tooling of the show. We have technology now that they didn't have in the '80s when the original production was mounted," he said. "So it's going to have the same classic explosions, chandelier plunge towards the audience, boat crossing a lake.
Lineberger says it's the story of an ill-fated love triangle.
"It all culminates at the end of the show with the confrontation between the three of them, and with [female love interest] Christine having to decide who she wants to be with."
Phantom of the Opera--starts Thursday night and will run through Nov. 15.
For more on Phantom of the Opera go here.
For more on Storm Lineberger go here.
