Jakarta made artistic history when the acclaimed “Phantom of the Opera” finally made its debut in Indonesia on Valentine’s Day, -  the day of romance -, 14 February 2012, appearing at the Balai Kartini Hall.

Mixing romance, tragedy, mystery, and a touch of comedy in the grandeur of American Broadway theatre, the legendary tale of the Phantom of the Opera leapt out of the pages of Gaston Leroux’s novel onto the Jakarta stage, mesmerizing its audiences.  The show is scheduled to be performed daily until 4 March 2012.

Bringing the Broadway aura to Jakarta, the show combines great music compositions, outstanding vocal abilities, superb acting skills, massive dance choreographies, and fascinating details in stage sets and decorations. It literally altered the stage into Victorian age Paris through colorful costumes, classic musical scores, and dynamically changing backgrounds and accessories. The flow of the story was perfectly illustrated scene after scene in this two acts play.

Set in the romantic city of Paris, France around the late 1800s, the story revolves around the romantic yet mysterious character who dwelled beneath the Paris Opera House, and came to be known simply as “the Phantom”. The story then take its twist as the Phantom falls in love with an Opera singer named Christine Daee. The romantic tale then continues into dramatic events all the way to its climax.

The grandeur and elegance of Paris in the Victorian age was captured in the scene depicting a royal mask party. Featuring a well choreographed massive royal dance wrapped in the ambience of classical music it also tells the story of the Phantom itself through a song entitled No One Must Know. A touch of comedy is also presented in scene 5 of Act One when Carlotta, the Spanish Diva and Enrico the flamboyant Italian Tenor practice their duet. The practice session hilariously turned into a singing contest when both try to out-sing the other. A gothic atmosphere fills the theatre as the stage illustrates the Phantom’s lair. While the presence of the half-faced masked Phantom himself already radiates an aura of mystery, his deepest thoughts and miseries that he channels through his song dramatically enhance the scenes even more.

Speaking after a special session held for the media on Thursday, 16 February 2012, Jeffrey Buchsbaum,  conductor and director of the Phantom of the Opera said that the Ivan Jacobs version  played here ”is more closely based on the original book, and was actually written before Andrew Lloyd Webber’s” said Buchsbaum.  Jacqueline Josung, director of the promoter B Next Entertainment added that the Ivan Jacobs version was already played since 1983 while Andrew Lloyd Webber’s was not played until 1986,”so, this Broadway version predates the Webber’s version” said Josung.

Playing as Christina Daee, Natalie Ramirez mentioned her excitement in performing in Indonesia.”I’ve actually been to South East Asia before, and I was really excited to come back and share a piece of American music theatre with another part of the world” she said. Sharing Natalie’s enthusiasm was Shouvik Mondle, the actor playing the Phantom, who commented that Broadway theatre is an art performance that combines many elements.”Broadway combines so much; this production has ballet, acting, drama, comedy, costumes, it has four or five worlds together. Coming to Indonesia is an honour, because Indonesia is one of a few countries in the Far East to do this and this is something that as an American I am very proud of” stated Mondle.  Christoper Behmke, playing as the Raoul De Chagny also expressed his thrill in performing in Indonesia.”I was thrilled when I found out I’m going to play in Indonesia. It’s this huge exciting adventure to come here and see your city, your culture, and everything else” said Behmke.

Coming and performing for the first time in Indonesia, Jeffrey Buschaum also shared the casts’ excitement and said “Very warm audiences, very warm people, we can get over walking anywhere and people smile at you, this is not the New York way” he said ending with laughter.

As the first such performance of its kind in Indonesia, The Phantom of the Opera has not only added to the ongoing list of international art performances shown in the country but also presents another, classic genre of entertainment. By bringing the authentic theatre culture of America to Indonesia which already has many types of traditional theatre performances, it is hoped that this will bridge the two different worlds, based on the fact that art is a universal language.   

So, what became of the Phantom? What journey will the story lead to? The only way to find out is to get a seat inside the theatre and let the mystery unfold itself.

For detailed information, click The thrilling "Phantom of the Opera" at Balai kartini Jakarta and http://bigdaddy.co.id/