“Masquerade”, a reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera”, is astounding crowds in New York City with six performances per night. In this immersive experience the audience becomes masquerade guests and walks into the iconic musical.
Photo by Oscar Ouk
“The Phantom of the Opera” was a Broadway staple for over 35 years, making it the current longest running Broadway musical of all time. The historic musical took its final Broadway bow on April 16, 2023, but it wouldn’t take long for the Phantom to make his return to New York City. The Phantom in NYC feels as required as yellow cabs and hot dog stands.
Although “Masquerade” is based on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera” and features its iconic music, this production is an entirely new and original experience sharing a different point of view of a familiar tale. It breaks the rules of what we typically think of as musical theatre and it makes its own rules.
The classic tale of the ghost-like and disfigured musical genius obsessed with an opera singer now unfolds merely inches from its audience. There are no balcony seats at “Masquerade”. Moments into your “Masquerade” experience, without spoiling too much, you become part of the masquerade party (masks and all). The story unfolds around you, and you journey throughout six floors of a former art shop.
Photo by Luis Suarez
I went into this production both as a fan of the musical and immersive experiences. I was very excited by the concept, but I went in with high expectations. To say it exceeded those expectations is putting it lightly. The craftsmanship and talent dedicated to this production makes it truly one of the greatest artistic experiences I’ve personally encountered. I had a smile on my face many times throughout and couldn’t get it to subside even if I wanted.
Six casts perform the show each night, all happening at the same time with 15-minute pulses between each show beginning. This isn’t uncommon for immersive experiences given the necessity of throughput. But this is the first time I’ve experienced it where there weren’t any unwanted hints of another audience group on the other side of a wall or just behind you. The amount of care and skills that went into making your group’s experience feel like yours and yours alone is beyond impressive. With loud music playing throughout nearly every moment of your journey, it’s shocking and impressive to never hear an unwanted stray note pass through.
Photo by Oscar Ouk
When it comes to “The Phantom of the Opera”, there’s one thing that everybody wants to see. Of course, I’m writing of the majestic chandelier that comes crashing down. For “Masquerade”, Production Designer James Fluhr pushed the chandelier to its absolute limits in the space available for the showstopping moment. Fluhr states, “I wanted it to be as big as it was in your imagination. It is bigger than the Broadway show and the touring production. I wanted you to come up close to it and feel how big it is…We pushed it within an inch every which way.”
Audience members visit the chandelier multiple times throughout their journey, and it never disappoints. Although it falls a shorter distance from what one may be used to, the impact is just as grand given your proximity to the looming set piece, its scale, and its utter grandeur.
Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman
I had the chance to discuss Fluhr’s experience designing “Masquerade” with him, and he shared the following about having the stage production to inspire while designing something totally unique for “Masquerade”.
“Sometimes, when I would get really stuck, I would close my eyes and imagine that I was on the Broadway stage at a certain part of the show. And I would then imagine opening my eyes, having a mask on and looking around me. What am I seeing around me? I’m not seeing the proscenium. I’m seeing the boat literally soar by my side, and I’m seeing the candles. A couple over my shoulder and a couple over there, and a lantern moving through. If we can capture that feeling, then it’ll feel like our audience is closer to the story than they’ve ever been before. It is the dream of standing on that stage and being next to them and being inside of the story.”
Fluhr and the team are hugely successful in recreating exactly as he described. The boat with Phantom and Christine aboard did indeed soar by my side as I walked from one location to another. Even with up to sixty people per audience group all moving through the space, often in a single file line, the creative team does a stellar job making sure each audience member hears and receives the full story, no matter their placement. There’s never a moment at “Masquerade” when you’re not inside the story.
Photo by Oscar Ouk
What is typically a passive experience quickly becomes an active and engaging one, with Broadway performers singing live closer than you’ve likely experienced. The vocals are live. There’s no place for the actors to hide. The raw emotion coming through their performances are so close, there’s no faking it. If feels impossible to not be touched by the heartbreaking tale. There’s nothing more satisfactory than watching a person do what they do best. The ability to witness it so close is a rare treat.
I know some of you reading this may be a little wary to experience “Masquerade” for yourself. Let me put your mind at ease. As much as the word “immersive” excites me, I know there are many that think of it as a red flag. Rest assured, although it is an immersive experience and you are pulled into the show, you don’t have any heavy lifting to do besides follow guides as you walk throughout the space. You’ll never be completely separated from the group and tasks won’t be much more than being handed a note or learning a hand gesture.
Photo by Andy Henderson
The story and music may be familiar, but the view point is new. “Masquerade” is so spectacular, it feels as though it should run for 35 years following its inspiration. But the cost for New York City productions is far greater than it was in 1986 when “The Phantom of the Opera” premiered on Broadway. Even a spectacular production doesn’t guarantee a long run given the financial requirement.
If you’ve been thinking about experiencing “Masquerade” for yourself, make plans to go before it’s too late. This is a production that will be talked about for years to come and those who experience it will never forget it.
“Masquerade” is currently booking tickets into July 2026. Performances occur every day except Mondays. Learn more and purchase tickets at www.MasqueradeNYC.com.
Jeff DePaoli is a live event producer and podcaster living in Los Angeles. He can be heard as the voice of Disney Trivia on Alexa as well as the host of “Dizney Coast to Coast” podcast, where he and his special guests share honest opinions on all things Disney at DePodcastNetwork.com.
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