We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open." ~ Jawaharlal Nehru

Monday, February 28, 2011

The Phantom of the Opera

"A painter paints pictures on canvas.  But musicians paint their pictures on silence."  ~Leopold Stokowski

A couple weeks ago Roland and I had the great opportunity to go watch "The Phantom of the Opera" put on by Wausau West High School. It was to say the least, AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was so impressed by the raw talent that these young high school students had! I have always loved the music to Andrew Lloyd Weber's "The Phantom of the Opera", especially the song: Masquerade. I can't wait until next year to see what they will be putting on so I can go again! :)

Andre:(Spoken)
Monsieur Firmin!

Firmin:(Spoken)
Monsieur Andre!

Firmin:
Dear Andre, what a splendid party

Andre:
The prologue to a bright new year

Firmin:
Quite a night, I'm impressed

Andre:
Well, one does one's best

Andre and Firmin:
Here's to us

Andre:
A toast to all the city

Firmin:
I must say all the same it is a shame that phantom fellow isn't here!

Chorus/Crowd:
Maquerade! Paper faces on parade
Masquerade! Hide your face so the world will never find you
Masquerade! Every face a different shade
Masquerade! Look around, there's another mask behind you.

Flash of mauve
Splash of puce
Fool and king
Ghoul and goose
Green and black
Queen and priest
Trace of rouge
Face of beast
Faces!
Take your turn, take a ride
On the merry-go-round
in an inhuman race
Eye of gold
Thigh of blue
True is false
Who is who?
Curl of lip
Swirl of gown
Ace of hearts
Face of clown
Faces! Drink it in, drink it up
Till you've drowned
In the light
In the sound
But who can name the face?

Masquerade! Grinning yellows, spinning reds
Masquerade! Take your fill, let the spectacle astound you
Masquerade! Burning glances, turning heads
Masquerade! Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you
Masquerade! Seething shadows breathing lies
Masquerade! You can fool any friend who ever knew you
Masquerade! Leering satyrs, peering eyes
Masquerade! Run and hide, but a face will still pursue you.

Madame Giry:
What a night!

Firmin/Andre:
What a crowd!
Makes you glad
Makes you proud
All the creme
De la creme

Carlotta:
Watching us, watching them

Meg:
All our fears are in the past

Firmin/Andre:
Three months

Piangi:
Of relief!

Carlotta:
Of delight!

Andre/Firmin:
Of Elysian peace!
And we can breathe at last.

Carlotta:
No more notes

Piangi:
No more ghosts

Madame Giry:
Here's a health

Andre/Firmin:
Here's a toast
To a prosperous year
To our friends who are here

Piangi and Carlotta:
May the splendour never fade!

Firmin/Andre:
What a blessed release!

Madame Giry:
And what a masquerade

Christine:
Think of it
(Spoken)
Our secret engagement.
Look, your future bride.
Just think of it.

Raoul:(Spoken)
Why is it secret? What have we to hide?
You promised me.

Christine:(Spoken)
No, Raoul, please don't, they'll see.

Raoul:(Spoken)
Well then let them see.
It's an engagement, not a crime.
(Sung)
Christine, what are you afraid of?

Christine(and Raoul in parenthesis):
Let's not argue(Let's not argue)
Please pretend (I can only hope)
You will understand in time (I'll understand in time)

Chorus/Crowd:
Masquerade!
Paper faces on padade
Masquerade! Hide your face so the world will never find you
Masquerade! Every face a different shade
Masquerade! Look around, there's another mask behind you
Masquerade! Buring glances,turning heads
Masquerade! Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you
Masquerade! Grinnning yellows, Spinning reds
Masquerade! Take your fill, let the spectacle astound you.

3 comments:

  1. Ooops - not just Wausau West! I think there was something like 6 high schools involved! For sure schools from Marathon and Taylor counties! Amazing stuff what happens when talent of many combines together to create!

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  2. By the way ... I'm looking forward to seeing the next production of whatever also! Can't wait! I really couldn't believe that these were high school students and not paid professionals!

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  3. It was actually many schools together in the Central Wisconsin Educational Theatrical Alliance (CWETA) that put it on! It was just held at Wausau West because of the size of their auditorium!

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