Las Vegas Weekly

September 16, 2009 · 12:21 PM

Phantom of the Opera Fans Week begins today

By Robin Leach

Andrew Ragone (Raoul), Anthony Crivello (The Phantom) and Kristi Holden (Christine Daae) celebrate Phantom -- Las Vegas Spectacular's third anniversary at The Venetian.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Dedicated and devoted Phantom of the Opera fans from around the world are arriving in Las Vegas for tonight’s kickoff of their five-day Phantom Fans Week. They will watch a special performance of Phantom -- The Las Vegas Spectacular at The Venetian that celebrates 50 million people who have now seen the award-winning Harold Prince and Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber musical.

Tomorrow, the fanatical Phantom fans will meet Las Vegas Phantom cast members and participate in a Q&A session with the Phantom himself, played here by actor and Tony Award winner Anthony Crivello. They can watch the show yet again before the welcome party, with a Masquerade Ball taking over St. Mark’s Square in the Grand Canal Shoppes. The cast and fans will be dressed in elaborate masquerade outfits.

On Friday, the fans will go backstage to tour the costume and makeup departments. While there, two lucky fans will be chosen to undergo a transformation to become The Phantom and his true love Christine Daae. Hairstylists, makeup artists and wardrobe experts will supervise the transformation from fan to ghost of the opera and his star pupil.

In the afternoon, it’s The Chandelier Experience, and the massive 1-ton, 16-feet-tall, 15-feet-wide crystal chandelier known as Maria will “fall” safely on fans in the crash zone. Phantom producers will meet fans during dinner at Wolfgang Puck’s Postrio before another Phantom performance.

On Saturday, the highlight of the event is a 90-minute keynote address by Harold Prince, who directed the Broadway and Las Vegas productions. The show business legend has won 21 Tony Awards in his career!

Vegas DeLuxe will have full coverage of all the Phantom events, and we’ll assemble that for a special posting after the weekend comes to a wrap!

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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