Colony High School to perform ‘Phantom of the Opera’ at the Glenn Massay Theater

PALMER — Starting Friday, Colony High School’s theater department will debut its rendition of Gaston Leroux’s “Phantom of the Opera” at the Glenn Massay Theater. Despite having a short time to prepare, members of the cast and crew said they overcame many challenges to confidently unveil the classic musical onstage.

“It’s such a great story and it’s been fun bringing it to life,” CHS actor Charly Rentz said.

Charly Rentz plays Christine Daaé, one of the lead roles. The Phantom and Viscount Raoul de Chagny both fall in love with her during the course of the play. Rentz said that she is very familiar with this classic story. She said that she first saw the movie when she was about five or six years old. She said that she got the chance to see the Broadway performance while accompanying the CHS marching band during their trip in New York to play at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Rentz said that one of her favorite aspects of the Phantom musical is all the “combat singing.” She said that the characters often sing at each other with bouts of emotion.

“It’s like they’re fighting with their voices,” Rentz said.

Thanks to the earthquake’s aftermath and delays in play material, the overall prep time was shortened, according to Rentz. She said that it lit a fire under the cast and crew and they pulled together to prepare.

“I think it’s going to come together really nicely because everyone is putting in so much work,” Rentz said.

Grace Eldridge plays Carlotta, a supporting character and the Opera Populaire's Prima Donna. Eldridge said that playing Carlotta has been very entertaining character to portray because she is so “overdramatic” and “overconfident.”

“Every time I play a character, I take a little bit with me,” Eldridge said.

Eldridge has played a variety of characters, from the meek and insecure Laura Wingfield from “The Glass Menagerie” to the doting and warm Mother Parker from “A Christmas Story.” She said that after the Phantom is all said and done, she will take a healthy dose of Carlotta’s confidence with her.

Noah Valadez plays Firmin, one of the two new managers of the Opera Populaire. Valadez said that his character helps provide comedic relief, a role he was thankful to be in once again. He said that he’s been familiar with Phantom’s story for years because it’s one of his mom’s favorites. He said that he was excited because he gets to play his favorite characters and his mom certainly approves.

“She was really excited about it,” Valadez said.

Tyler Pasa plays Piangi. Piangi is the male counterpart of Carlotta, performing as the leading male in most of Opera Populaire’s productions. This is Pasa’s very first Colony High School play and the first time he’s acted since he was in elementary school.

“It feels good being back. I forgot how much fun this was,” Pasa said.

Pasa said that the Phantom was one of his favorite musicals growing up and it was actually one of the main reasons he decided to try acting again. Pasa is captain of the school’s varsity football team. He said that as a football player, he wants to dispel any preconceived notions.

“I’m just breaking boundaries and stereotypes in high school,” Pasa said.

CHS theater director Dina Sawyer that Phantom has been the most difficult directing challenge she’s ever faced but despite the ups and downs and tight prep time, she is confident in her students’ abilities to unfold their take on this timeless classic to the community.

“The music is well known to audiences yet challenging for all the musicians. Directing Phantom has been a collaboration of dedicated individuals that have poured an immense amount of time and energy into bringing a piece of Broadway to the Valley,”

Colony High School’s rendition of Phantom of the Opera is directed by Dina Sawyer with Dr. Jamin Burton as the orchestra director, Kelley Rentz as the vocal director, and Brian Mead as the Technical Director.

Show times are Feb. 8, 9, 14, 15, and 16 at 7 p.m. at the Glenn Massay Theater. Tickets are $15 for students and $20 for adults. They can be purchased online at myalaskatix.com.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com