Plot Summary for Phantom of the Opera

The original novel’s story line began with Christine triumphing at the gala on the night of the old manager’s retirement.  Her former childhood sweetheart, Raoul, hears her sing and is reminded of how much he loves Christine.  Rumors also begin at this time about the Phantom living in the Opera House.  Sometime after this, the Paris Opera performs a show starring Carlotta as the lead.   This occurs against the wishes of the Phantom, and sometime during the show Carlotta loses her voice and the grand chandelier fall into the audience.

Later in the story line, Christine is kidnapped by the Phantom (he has fallen in love with her and thinks keeping her will cause her to love him as well.).  He reveals himself to her as Erick, and keeps her with him for a few days.  After a few days has passed, she unmasks the phantom (to the horror of them both.)  Once she removes his mask, she learns that his face is deformed and it frightens her.  The Phantom becomes afraid that she will leave him, and makes the decision to keep her with him forever.  After two weeks, however, Christine requests release.  The Phantom grants the request on the condition that she will wear his ring and be faithful to only him.

Later on the roof of the Opera House, Christine tells Raoul that the Phantom abducted her.  Raoul promises Christine that he will take her far away to a place where the Phantom will be unable to find her, telling her he will act on his promise the next day, and Christine agrees.  However, Christine feels pity for the Phantom and refuses to leave until she sings for him one last time.  Sadly, neither is aware that the Phantom heard the entire conversation and has become increasingly jealous.

The next night, the Phantom again kidnaps Christine.  This time he decides to force her to marry him.  He tells her that if she refuses to marry him he will blow up the opera house, and has placed explosives in the cellar.  Christine refuses, until she learns the Phantom heard the conversation of the previous night and has captured Raoul and trapped him in a hot torture chamber.  She finally agrees to marry the Phantom, who then proceeds to try and drown Raoul using the water he had planned to douse the explosives with.  Christine begs him to let Raoul go, promising not to kill herself after the wedding, which is what she had planned.  The Phantom eventually releases Raoul from the torture chamber.  Once he and Christine is alone, he lifts his mask and kisses her on the forehead.  Christine returns the kiss.  The Phantom reveals to Christine that he has never received a kiss and becomes overwhelmed with emotion.

The Phantom finally allows Christine to escape with Raoul, but only after making her promise to return on the day of his death and return the ring.  He also makes her promise to alert the newspaper of his death.  Christine makes good on her promise, returning to the lair to return the ring and bury him.  She alerts the paper, who runs the simple ad “Erik is dead”.

The up-and-coming production of the Phantom of the Opera is a musical adaption and is headed for Broadway soon.  Casting the talented James Barbour in the role of the complex Phantom, this tale of unrequited love has become a classic.  You can listen to James Barbour on iTunes, in order to get a feel for how talented the man truly is.  Cast alongside Julie Udine, James Barbour does an excellent job portraying the Phantom.