Have you seen The Phantom of the Opera?  It’s the longest running play on Broadway, and I now know why.  Though I’ve seen it three times, I recently took part in a backstage tour with David Cryer, who plays Monsieur Firmin.  I learned it’s truly a study in efficiency and top-notch customer service.

For two hours the cast and crew transport you to the 19th century French opera house, the crypt of the leading lady’s father, a masquerade ball, and into the depths of darkness.  The theater is small, so David explained how they use every inch of space, both vertical and horizontal-going below the stage or hanging from the theater’s rafters-to produce this wonderland of entertainment. The props are well constructed and perfect in their details, not makeshift substitutes to create an illusion.  They were more spectacular up close.

Backstage, there is no space for fancy dressing rooms for the stars-everyone changes clothes in hallways that snake through racks of oversized medieval costumes made from colorful brocades and other fabulous fabrics.  Masks and hats rest on Styrofoam heads that watch us from the shelves above.  “Look over your head, and you’ll see where we hide the opera boxes, bridge, and gates during the performance. A stage hand can rest in a hammock strung between two-by-fours holding the machinery that hoists the bridges and gates out of the way,” David points out as we make our way through the maze.

The efficiency of the operation was amazing, but I was also intrigued by some of the finer points of the performance.  In the first scene, there is an auction of items from the old opera house.  The auctioneer reads a description from what appears to be index cards. David showed us the auctioneer’s table and pointed out the hand-written note cards, along with a book listing all of the auction items. They were prepared as you would have found them in the 19th century.  The story flashes back to the rumors of the phantom.  He sent notes to the new owners of the opera house, and other characters throughout the play.  Each note delivered to the actors has been written in calligraphy on parchment.  The audience does not see this, but the actors do. David beams, “We appreciate this attention to detail.  It makes our jobs easier.  When I have to read the notes, I don’t have to remember my lines.”

Each night, and twice on Sunday, for more than twenty years, actors have brought the powerful story of The Phantom of the Opera to life. David Cryer has played the same role for more than fourteen years, both on Broadway and on the road. All the actors understand that their job is not only to portray a character in a play, but to perform an integral part of a collective effort to bring the guests a night of spectacular entertainment.  Bravo!