Phantom's haunting beauty continues to thrill audiences

Imagine the hauntingly beautiful organ music resonating through the theater, the stage dimly lit as the audience waits in eager silence. Suddenly, the massive chandelier begins its slow ascent, casting an eerie glow over the theater.

The music swells into the iconic theme song, The Phantom of the Opera, and the tension builds as Christine Daae, the beautiful young soprano, steps into the spotlight. This breathtaking moment is one of many that defines the allure of this legendary musical, as the audience is transported to the heart of the Paris Opera House — a place where secrets lurk in the shadows and passion ignites amid the drama.

When the Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center opened in 2015, Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic musical The Phantom of the Opera came to the capital for the first time as the opening show. Since then, the venue has become a key player in Beijing's cultural landscape, breaking box-office records and solidifying its place as a hub for international theater.

After a nine-year absence, the musical returns to the venue with 32 performances running from Dec 3 to 29, captivating audiences with its timeless tale of love, obsession and mystery. According to the venue, the tickets for all the shows have been sold out.

Since its debut in London in 1986, The Phantom of the Opera has been widely considered one of the most beautiful and spectacular productions in history, having been performed for over 160 million people in 46 countries and 195 cities. Webber's romantic, haunting, and soaring score includes Music of the Night, All I Ask of You, Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again, and the iconic title song. The show's global reach, with productions in 21 languages and tours across the world, has helped cement its status as a cultural touchstone.

The musical made its debut on the Chinese mainland in Shanghai in 2004.

At the heart of The Phantom of the Opera is a compelling love triangle between Daae, Raoul, the nobleman who loves her, and the Phantom, a mysterious and tortured figure living beneath the Paris Opera House.

"We are thrilled to bring this global phenomenon to a new generation of theatergoers in Beijing," says Jonathan Roxmouth, an actor from South Africa, who portrays the enigmatic Phantom. Along with four other main stars of the English-language production, he met fans in Beijing on Dec 18.

"When I first played the role, I was only 23 years old, and I was very nervous. It was challenging, yet it was my dream role," says Roxmouth, who calls it "the best job in the world".

"By far, it is the most intense roller coaster of my musical theater career," he says.

American actress Grace Roberts plays the role of Daae. "I go to the gym six times a week to make sure that I have enough energy for the show, which requires me to be onstage for two hours, acting and singing," she says.

The show features a massive team of 130 people, including the cast, crew and live orchestra, with more than 230 lavish costumes and 22 scene changes that provide a visual feast. The show's intricate set design is a highlight, with each scene change occurring roughly every five minutes. The production features meticulously designed props reflecting the 19th-century Parisian setting, and a crystal chandelier made of 6,000 beads.

According to the Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center, with a ticket-sale share of over 64 percent, musicals have become a dominant genre at the venue, reflecting the growing enthusiasm for live theater in Beijing. The success of The Phantom of the Opera at the center marks a major achievement in the city's vibrant cultural scene, and the ongoing success of this production proves that Beijing's audiences are both sophisticated and passionate about musical theater.