Lessons From The Phantom of the Opera© and Other Phantom Ramblings: Love Never Dies

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Love Never Dies - Climb Aboard the Ferris Wheel

It's been quite some time since I've dissected anything about the Phantom of the Opera. As most of you know, I've picked, poked, and prodded at the original until I've squeezed every ounce of life from the story from Leroux to Webber. Now, I have a new psychological playground in which to have fun and will start to post very soon. I've climbed into the sandbox and fiddled around a bit already thinking about all the buried gems I can dig up for us to enjoy.

In the sequel, we get to re-visit our favorites - the Phantom, Christine, Raoul, Madame Giry, and Meg, and meet some newbies - Gustav, freaks and bathing beauties! While we're at it, let's talk about the many emotions and motivations in this heartwrenching story that make it so powerful - passion, seduction, jealousy, love, obsessiveness, bitterness, regrets, and the need to be seen.

There's one change this time. Your view will not be from Box 5. We're no longer in the Opera House folks, we're on Coney Island. I encourage you to take a ride on the ferris wheel of discovery instead. Climb aboard, take a seat, and go around in circles as we view what lessons can be found in ALW's newest Phantom creation. You can be assured, I will do the same as before - take you to a place of thought and reflection so you can discover how this story speaks to your heart.

My first post will be about the Phantom. What's happened to him in Love Never Dies? Does he wear the same mask and wig? Is he still deformed and partially bald? What about his personality? Has he turned into a mellow Mr. Y or is he still the obsessive recluse monster with a tendency to strangle? Does he live above or beneath the world? Does anybody care? I'm sure Mister Y (who is a mystery) would like you to find out!

Tune in for future posts, as soon as my muse starts to whisper in my ear, I'll be back!

Cheerfully yours,
The Phantom's Student

PS...I hope he reads this, because I really want him to notice me. ;-)

1 comment:

Swansong said...: Vicki...PUT THE GUN DOWN!!!! J/K! Well I'm excited to go on the ride with you. I'm very interested in your thoughts and analysis of LND,so I'll be following right along!

Swannie; March 31, 2010 at 11:17 PM

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Blog/Book Review

"Lessons From 'The Phantom of the Opera' " is a creative and thoughtful approach to pop culture hit. I enjoyed the book because I teach French history at the college level and I have long enjoyed Gothic novels as well as opera. I connect with the story on several levels, professional and personal. "Lessons" takes a personal, reflective approach that asks readers to think about why they react as they do to the musical and novel. Why does such an old fashioned, romantic story have such appeal in post modern society? Simple: young or old or in between, we still respond to the emotions explored in the story. I plan to tell some of my students who are Phantom fans about this book." (Dr. Melanie Byrd)

The Joy of Audio Books

I love audio books. They open up a whole new world of entertainment. They save time from sitting down and reading a book. You can listen while driving to work, during work, taking a walk, running, or working outside and around the house. It's a time-saving opportunity to take a moment and enjoy your favorite books, acted out by talented voice artists, many of which are from television and stage.

The talent chosen for The Phantom of Valletta, has extensive voice experience. My other narrators are from the stage, or are professional voice artists that have done television, documentaries, and commercials.

Why not try out a membership at Audible? It's easy - starts with a free trial, has no long-term commitment, and is filled with entertainment.

Join today, and I'll give you a free code to one of my books of your choosing to get you started.

JOIN HERE AT AUDIBLE

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All quotations used in this blog are the property of:

The Phantom of the Opera, by Gaston Leroux, Pubished by Random House, Inc. 2002 (Quoted with Permission)

Introduction by Anne Perry, Copyright 2002, Random House, Inc. (Quoted with Permission)

Phantom Of The Opera lyrics are the property of their respective authors, artists and labels. (Music Andrew Lloyd Webber/Lyrics Charles Hart, The Really Useful Group, London, UK). Licensing fees were paid to use them in my book, Lessons From the Phantom of the Opera, but have been omitted here on the blog. Artwork is posted by permission of artist.

Writer's icon and other photos used in his blog were purchased from iStockPhotos.com, with rights for use, or are personal photographs taken by Phantom's Student. POTO from Photobucket.

Special Thanks

Special thanks to Anne Perry who has given me permission to quote her from her introduction to The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux, published by Random House, 2002, and her good luck wishes.

Special thanks to the Hal Leonard Corporation, who made my experience in getting licensing permission to use Webber's lyrics in my book easier than I dreamed.

Special thanks to my readers that allow me to express my views from behind my mask and keep coming back for more even though I poke at them.

Special thanks to Sadie Montgomery (Author of the "The Phoenix of the Opera" series) for holding my hand through my self-publishing experience and for her faithful and continued encouragement.

References Used