{"id":7740,"date":"2012-03-16T10:42:21","date_gmt":"2012-03-16T14:42:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=7740"},"modified":"2012-03-19T00:26:32","modified_gmt":"2012-03-19T04:26:32","slug":"phantom-is-beyond-spectacular-as-mcshane-walden-and-entire-cast-deliver","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=7740","title":{"rendered":"‘Phantom’ is beyond spectacular as McShane, Walden and entire cast deliver!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Unionville Drama Club has set a new standard as the curtain raises on “Phantom of the Opera” <\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

By Dave Conard<\/span><\/span><\/strong> Sports Editor UnionvilleTimes.com<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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The Phantom's iconic mask is left behind inthe final scene<\/p><\/div>\n

PARIS\u2014Alert, alert, this is a public service announcement, the Phantom has been seen again lurking at the old Opera House on Unionville Road.<\/p>\n

It was reported that he interrupted an auction as well as a masquerade ball, although he is not considered dangerous at this time, East Marlborough citizens should proceed with caution.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It is hard to find the words that accurately describe the opening of this year\u2019s Unionville Drama club and music department\u2019s production of \u201cPhantom of The Opera\u201d as they raised the curtain in the new auditorium Thursday night to a packed house.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

From the moment they enter the building, theatre goers are magically transported back to the early 1900\u2019s in grand ole Paris.<\/p>\n

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Unionville junior Natalie Walden delivered a breath taking performance as Christine Daae<\/p><\/div>\n

The illusion\u00a0 is enhanced by details such as the beret-clad ushers, as well as\u00a0 the freshly baked mandolin cookies and crepes being served at \u201cle caf\u00e9\u201d (aka the Unionville snack bar), the arts department and its army of parent volunteers, have gone above and beyond to elevate the feel and ambiance of a sensational show.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Through out the 1300 performances of the \u201cPhantom\u201d on Broadway in the which
\n\u201doriginal phantom\u201d, Michael Crawford took the stage, it is inconceivable than any one performance would have been delivered with more panache, intensity and passion than that turned in by Unionville senior Conner McShane in that role on opening night.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In an absolutely spot on performance, McShane almost dares the audience not experience the gamete of human emotions within as they follow the journey of a cast off child who shares his musical gift only to be betrayed by the love of his life Christine Daae, played by Unionville junior Natalie Walden, much to the dismay of Daae\u2019s suitor Raoul, Vicomte de Chagney (Evan Dupuis).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Following an absolutely flawless performance, McShane was greeted afterwards by friends and family members, many with eyes still streaming from the tears that were pried from within their souls by the breathtaking vocals by McShane and Walden\u2019s which were as haunting and overwhelming as the phantom’s pipe organ.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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The Phantom (Connor McShane) dispells the myth of his exhistence by appearing at a costume ball<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cThis is amazing to be in a production like this,\u201d said McShane as he continued to shares hugs and blessing from audience he had just hypnotized with his heart felt delivery of \u201cAll I ask of you\u201d and the \u201cFinal Lair\u201d during which he leaves behind his trademark white mask.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTo play a character like the Phantom is almost surreal, Michael Crawford was so amazing on Broadway, I just feel so lucky to have a chance to be a part of this cast and work with such an awesome group of people that have been so supportive.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A veteran of five shows at Unionville High School this is McShane\u2019s first lead role as has been involved in Les\u2019Miserables and played the role of Senator Fipp in Urinetown last year, which were eclipsed by far by the iconic role of the “Phantom”.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

McShane has no immediate plans after graduation of pursuing acting, but if Thursday night\u2019s performance is an indication of things to come, he may want to consider revising his career path in the direction of the yellow brick road or 42nd Street and Broadway.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sixteen year old Natalie Walden, who has been \u201csinging since she could stand up\u201d according to the diminutive Unionville junior, has dreamed of taking the stage as Miss Daae since saw \u201cPhantom\u201d performed professionally in 6th<\/sup> grade and she has taken the role to heart.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Christine (Natalie Walden) colapses in the Phantom's arms (McShane) when she see her phantom reflection.<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cI just love singing,\u201d said Walden following an absolutely stunning portrayal of the Phantom\u2019s love interest, a quantum leap from her ensemble role of a year ago. \u201cWhen we have been practicing it has been great, but to take the stage tonight and feel the energy of the crowd and see all of those faces and their reaction was unbelievable. This is just a dream come true.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Fueled by the brilliant performances by the cast, along with beautiful period costumes, lighting, scenery, sets and props that would rival any professional company, \u201cPhantom\u201d is absolutely riveting from start to finish.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Cynthia Waibul, who portrays Carlotta Giudiceli, the opera vixen who is displaced by Daae, delivers time and time again with her powerful vocals along with quirky humor as she deals with playing second fiddle to the Phantom’s casting choice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The audience could not resist beying spell bound as they experienced the emotional highs and lows of the performances of \u201cPoint of no return\u201d and the reprise of \u201cAll I ask of you\u201d. As the drama builds toward the climactic ending \u201cFinal Lair\u201d number, the intensity and passion of Walden, McShane and DuPuis is palatable, leading to the Phantom freeing Raoul and having no further need to hide his \u201chandicap\u201d from his true love.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe final scene is my favorite,\u201d added Walden. \u201cEverything builds to that and it so emotional challenging to perform it, feeling how they must have felt. This is just the most amazing cast and the orchestra did such a great job, wow it is hard to describe what I am feeling right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Unionville drama club\u2019s \u201cPhantom of the Opera\u201d is a truly magical performance of a classic that has endured the test of time and has raised the bar into the stratosphere for future UDC productions to be measured by, some tickets still remain available for Friday and Saturday\u2019s performances at 7:30 pm.<\/p>\n

To view a photo show of the entire production paste and click the following link –\u00a0 http:\/\/www.photostockplus.com\/home.php?tmpl=121&user_id=63742&action=viewalbum&event=1002118<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

The Phantom (Connor McShane) and Christine (Natalie Walden) were nothing short of brilliant in Unionville Drama Club's production of Phantom of the Opera<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Unionville's Cynthia Waibel was amazing as opera diva Carlotta Giuicelli<\/p><\/div>\n

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Raoul (Evan Dupuis) and Christine (Walden) share their first kiss.<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Unionville Drama Club has set a new standard as the curtain raises on “Phantom of the Opera” By Dave Conard Sports Editor UnionvilleTimes.com PARIS\u2014Alert, alert, this is a public service announcement, the Phantom has been seen again lurking at the old Opera House on Unionville Road. It was reported that he interrupted an auction as […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7741,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[287,924,7,18],"tags":[1025,1023,1021,1024,1022,854,7427],"class_list":["post-7740","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arts","category-events","category-featured","category-unionville-high-school","tag-broadway","tag-connor-mcshane","tag-drama-club","tag-michael-crawford","tag-natalie-walden","tag-phantom-of-the-opera","tag-unionville-high-school"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7740","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7740"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7740\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/7741"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7740"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7740"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7740"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}