Step Into The Masquerade: Phantom of the Opera Reimagined as an Immersive NYC Spectacle

By Jaimz Dillman

Inside a papered-up art store on 57th Street in New York, theater magic is in previews. A reimagined Phantom of the Opera is being created two years after the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical closed on Broadway. But this isn’t your standard musical theater experience. Directed by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus, attendees aren’t merely watching a show, you are the show. Across three floors and a rooftop, the audience is led through backstage rooms, lairs, catwalks, a freak show, and more, as actors perform mere inches from guests. This isn’t your grandmother’s Phantom. New life has been breathed into the story based on the 1910 novel by Gaston Leroux.

A strict dress code is enforced for lucky ticket holders, and masks must be donned before heading inside. Once you give your secret password at the door, you’re led into a fantastical journey, complete with champagne (or lemonade for those not imbibing) and all the elements fans associate with Phantom, plus more. A rampant media campaign began less than a year ago, fueled largely by TikTok and social media influencers finding not-so-hidden clues across the city. A rose here, a mask or mirror there, all giving hints of what was to come, simply signed O.G. (Opera Ghost). This hype further stoked rumors of the Angel of Music making his return to NYC. As Phantom still holds the record for the longest-running show on the Great White Way, what’s the Big Apple without it?

Thankfully, we didn’t have to wait long for the chandelier to rise again. Once tickets for the announced previews went on sale, the frenzy was real. Dates sold out quickly, and management made the smart call to lower the 18+ age limit for Saturday matinees to 16+, which meant the teen and I were on our way. Those unfamiliar with the story will still be entertained, but for those of us turned into hopeless romantics by the likes of Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman, Masquerade makes it possible to live the dream alongside Christine, Raoul, Madame Giry, and the most endearing ensemble I’ve seen in a long, long time.

Reviews from early audiences were so favorable I worried the show wouldn’t live up to the hype. Theater fans always have that one special show that first touched their hearts, if not their souls. For us, it’s Phantom. I’ve been to and performed in countless productions, and I usually take opinions and recommendations with a grain of salt. What’s one person’s Hamilton is another’s Wicked. Such was the case when I saw Sleep No More last year before it closed. I love immersive experiences and paid a hefty price for SNM tickets. Friends raved, but we left wanting more. So, I went into this with hesitation: a story held so dear, combined with an immersive format. But within the first five minutes, all worries melted away. We were enraptured by the music of the night.

Because we attended a matinee, the rooftop scene played out in bright, warm daylight, giving us a completely different experience from evening audiences who see it under moonlight. It absolutely made us want to come back again for that alone. The telling of Phantom and Christine is well known, just presented in a completely new way. Some scenes and songs from the musical have been cut or trimmed; a song from the film and even material from the ill-fated sequel Love Never Dies have been folded in for a seamless retelling. Performers interact with the intimate groups of 30 to 40 guests, sometimes guiding us to the next scene, sometimes handing over notes to read aloud, and sometimes inviting us to dance (as I did with Madame Giry). It’s another layer that brings you into the story, rather than letting it unfold around you. This is immersive theater.

Running a production of this scale is a feat in itself. Entry times are staggered every 15 minutes, six groups in total. Main characters stay with your group for the full two hours, while the supporting cast rotates in and out, sometimes repeating the same scene six times in a row. The cues for mics, lighting, effects, and sound, all syncing with new performers every few minutes, required brand-new technology for smooth transitions and seamless segues.

There’s nothing too risqué for younger audiences, but I understand the age limit. The pace is fast, and there’s a lot of movement to quickly shepherd groups from scene to scene. Those with mobility concerns may find it challenging, and some rooms do get tight. Still, elevators, escalators, and chairs are available throughout. Phones are covered upon entry, so no photography is allowed, thankfully, and a small merch stand greets you at the bar on your way out. This was the only disappointment for us, as we wanted more souvenirs but found the selection limited. Photos are allowed in the bar, where glowing candelabras make for stunning backdrops. Some attendees have gotten to meet cast members in this space, though we didn’t have that opportunity.

Ticket prices may be out of reach for many, but if the run extends, we can hope for discounts down the road. Either way, the overall experience felt worth the cost. If given the chance, we’d absolutely go again. The sheer talent in the roster means endless potential for cast pairings, and if this was just the preview, I can only imagine how spectacular it will be once any kinks are smoothed out.

Raise your glass and join the Masquerade. That’s all I ask of you.

https://masqueradenyc.com