tHe POiNt OF NO RetURN

PhantomThe Las Vegas Spectacular performs Masquerade

PhAntoMthe lAs VegAs sPectAculAr enters its FinAl Months oF PerForMAnces

By Heather Turk

The music of the night will soon be silenced in Las Vegas forever.
On Sept. 2, PhantomThe Las Vegas bleeding the show for everything they could. Spectacular will perform its final show at And by closing the show on a foreseeable date, The Venetian. The 95-minute production it gave procrastinators a chance to make it offers Phantom fans a chance to experience out to Vegas to finally see the show and fans Andrew Lloyd Webbers beloved musical like the chance to see it one or two more times. never before, inside a custom-built theater that transports audiences to the Paris Opera Although Crivello acknowledged that House. Featuring dazzling special effects, a Phantom had a good run in Las Vegas (Its talented cast and a breathtaking chandelier been one hell of a ride, he said), the Tony that not only assembles itself in front of ticket Award-winner for Kiss of the Spider Woman holders eyes, but also comes crashing down admitted he was disappointed the production over select peoples heads, Phantom is didnt have the run it deserved. one of the Strips most lavish productions. Therefore, given todays economy, it came The show could have continued to run in a as little surprise to the cast when it was healthier climate, Crivello stated. Phantom announced in January that the final curtain celebrated its 25th anniversary in London was near. last year. Its been playing on Broadway for 24 years. Maybe it could have played in Las It was a shock to hear the words, but not a Vegas for 15 years. complete surprise, said Anthony Crivello, who has played The Phantom since the shows While it will never be known just how long premiere in 2006. Over the past six years Phantom could have performed in the there have been systematic belt tightenings to Entertainment Capital of the World, one thing keep the show going in this sliding economy is for certain: time is running out to see the cutting back from 10 shows a week to eight, eye-popping production. things like thatbut how long could we fight the factors without compromising the production? If you dont see the show now, youll never It was never our numbers, but a combination see it done this way again, Crivello stated. of factors filtering in. The producers wanted to go out on a high note, though, versus For tickets, call 702.414.9000.

Photos by Joan Marcus

The dress rehearsal of Hannibal, the opening scene of PhantomThe Las Vegas Spectacular

The Phantom (Anthony Crivello) and Christine (Kristi Holden) embrace during The Music of the night

ENTERTAINMENT LAS VEGAS

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6/27/12 2:03 PM