Savannah Children's Theatre debuts 'Phantom of the Opera' in the city for first time

Between its rich, record-breaking history and eerie opera house setting, “Phantom of the Opera” feels like the perfect musical for America’s most haunted city. Yet the production rights have prevented Savannah theater companies from bringing the tale to life — until recently. Now that the show has ended its 37-year run on Broadway, Savannah Children’s Theatre is ready to bring the music of the night to Savannah for the first time.

While the term “children’s theater” might bring images of younger kids to mind, SCT’s production of “Phantom” features mostly high school students. It may seem like an unexpected choice for such a complex story, but these talented young performers have a passion that brings new insight to a modern classic.

“They are constantly endeavoring to understand their world and all kinds of worlds, both fictional and nonfictional, in order to get the story right,” SCT Founder and Creative Director Kelie Miley said. “They are the storytellers of our time, and they enjoy doing it. The world has always needed storytellers.”

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A love story for the ages and all ages

Anyone who has seen “Phantom” will tell you it’s a story for the ages. The flashing lights, thundering pipe organs and crashing chandeliers capture audiences’ attention, but the lasting appeal is in the story. As Christine struggles to choose between Raoul, her childhood friend, and the mysterious masked phantom who taught her to sing, the gothic love story becomes a tragedy.

That tangled love triangle makes “Phantom” an exciting story for all ages, but a junior company offers special insight into the process of maneuvering love and community. Growing up is fraught with tough choices and overwhelming emotions, after all, and “Phantom” has plenty of both. It might be a fictional story, but the core messages stick around long after the final bow.

“‘Phantom of the Opera’ deals with big themes. Love and death, grief, jealousy. It's fiction. It's not reality, but it heightens all the big themes in life,” Miley said. “You’re dealing with acceptance and what can go wrong if acceptance is not given.”

A bigger stage

These storytelling skills will certainly come in handy in the upcoming performance because the show has not been altered for the younger company. That’s right — there will be no score changes, set changes or plot changes. The production is every bit the same as the Broadway show, with one key Savanniahan touch.

“To get the full feel of ‘Phantom,’ you need a bigger theater,” Miley said. “The Historic Savannah Theatre made their space available to us, and I'm very happy we're doing it there.”

Space isn’t the only reason The Historic Savannah Theatre is the prime location for the production.  While “Phantom” takes place in the 1800s, The Historic Savannah Theatre opened in 1818, making it the oldest continually running theater in the country.

Who knows, there might even be a few phantom Savanniahans hanging around.

Haunted or not, the Historic Savannah Theatre is only one of many gracious players in this grand production. Like all good theater companies, SCT has created a community of passionate storytellers who have spent the last year working toward a common goal.

“I think we all start out wanting productions to be really good, but one person can't do that alone. I can want it and work 24/7 to make ‘Phantom’ what I think it should be, but it’s the 75 people that worked on it who accomplish that. It's the cast and the costumes and the set, the lights and rigging, and it's the shoppers and the prop makers,” Miley said. “It's just a passion to get it done. And it's so much better to work in a place where everybody around you is passionate about the process.”

While the production may have seen its final curtain call on Broadway, “The Phantom of the Opera” is still alive inside the minds of ‘phans’ everywhere. Thanks to Savannah Children’s Theatre, it will soon be alive in Savannah as well.

If You Go >>

“Phantom of the Opera” runs from July 7 to July 15 at The Historic Savannah Theatre. Tickets are $41 for adults and $35 for children and are available online at savannahtheatre.com/tickets.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah Children's Theatre debuts 'Phantom of the Opera'