Las Vegas Weekly

September 21, 2009 · 9:53 AM

Photo Galleries: Phantom costumes, makeup, theater and Harold Prince

By Robin Leach

The keynote address by theater legend and director Harold Prince was the highlight of the inaugural Phantom Fans Week at The Venetian.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

Sam Fleming, Phantom -- Las Vegas Spectacular associate costume designer, conducted an insider costume and makeup session for 150 die-hard fans during the inaugural Phantom Fans Week at The Venetian. Jason Hammond of Los Angeles was selected to be transformed into The Phantom, and Ashley Yarbrough from Cortez, New Mexico, was chosen to become Christine Daae.

The fans learned about the great amount of discipline, dedication and devotion that goes into the costume and makeup work for the Phantom spectacular. Many of the cast members arrive more than two hours before curtain up each night just to tackle the wardrobe and stage paint requirements!

Paul Kelly of scenic and production design began his long association with the late Maria Bjornson on the Broadway production of Phantom of the Opera and has continued to re-create her designs. He works in theater and television and has been the art director for more than 15 feature films, including The Thomas Crown Affair, The First Wives Club, Ladder 49 and The Forgotten. He collaborated with director Harold Prince on Phantom in Las Vegas.

Harold is one of the most respected directors in theater history -- and has 21 Tony Awards to prove it! But one of the biggest marks of recognition came this weekend in The Venetian.

His cast -- every one of them -- and crew joined with Phantom fans from around the world to listen to his 90-minute keynote address. Scott Zeiger, Phantom’s executive producer who heads up BASE Entertainment, introduced the legend of the Great White Way.

Hal directed the premiere productions of She Loves Me, Cabaret, Company, Follies, Candide, Pacific Overtures, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Evita, The Phantom Of the Opera and Parade. His productions include Pajama Game, Damn Yankees, West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, Fiorello and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. He is the recipient of the 2000 National Medal of Arts Award from President Clinton for a career spanning more than 40 years in which “he changed the nature of the American musical.” In addition to the 21 Tony Awards, he was a 1994 Kennedy Center honoree.

After his speech, Management Director Mark Andrews invited the audience for a rare moment to meet Mr. Prince one on one and for the ultimate souvenir of their Phantom Fans Week: a Hal Prince autograph and photo!

“It was such a successful few days, we’re definitely doing it again next year. It will become an annual event, and now that we know the extraordinary level of enthusiasm by fans, it will be even bigger and better,” Tony-winning actor Anthony Crivello, who plays The Phantom, told me.

Our thanks to contributing photographer Tom Donoghue for all of his extraordinary photos and coverage the past four days -- and nights -- of editing!

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.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter HERE.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter HERE.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter HERE.

Share This