Behind the Curtain: Distributors Share Insights on ‘Phantom: The Musical’

Phantom of the Opera meets K-pop? Now that’s a mash-up we didn’t know we needed! “Phantom: The Musical” is coming onto the scene, giving the classic tale a fresh story. This adaptation combines the opera with cinematic elements to create a distinct experience. To better understand this unique production, we reached out to Eddie Aronoff, the managing director of The Art Seen, who is involved in distributing the musical.

1. There have been many iterations of The Phantom of the Opera. What makes this production so special?

Firstly, this particular Phantom features K-pop star Kyuhyun of Super Junior in the lead role. Super Junior has been around for over fifteen years and Kyuhyun has been a member throughout that time and has a huge following. Also, Korean musicals in general have become unique in their lavishness of sets, costumes, and production values. This Phantom, written and composed by Maury Yeston and Arthur Kopit, is no exception. It’s a magnificent production.

2. What criteria do you use when selecting which theater productions to distribute? Why did you choose The Phantom?

It’s critical that the productions we distribute into cinemas and online feel large enough, broad enough, to captivate movie audiences. It doesn’t need to be garishly lavish, though lavishness helps, but it should feature performances and be staged in a way that a filmed version of it actually enhances the experience of seeing it. Phantom clicks all these boxes.

3. How different is a live theater production from a recorded one, and how is it usually received by audiences?

There’s no way to capture every nuance of the magic of being in a theater watching a live performance, but filmed versions provide cinema and online audiences with an opportunity to a) see a production they might not otherwise ever have a possibility to see live and, b) get closer to the performers, on stage with them even, than watching from anywhere in a theater. Audiences, I think, are very happy to have access to well-filmed performances.

4. How have theater companies, actors, and creative teams reacted to having their live performances streamed globally?

Most if not all of them are thrilled to have their performances made available to a wider audience than they could have ever imagined. They get the unique pleasure of going on a worldwide tour on a daily basis.

5. How do you think digital streaming has affected live theater?

For theaters, streaming productions serve two major purposes:

1. It’s a terrific promotional tool. Audiences who stream a performance are motivated to see it live if or when they have an opportunity to do so. The trepidation theaters may have had about streaming cannibalizing their live in theater business has been proven unfounded. If anything, it enhances their bottom line.

2. Streaming promotes the genre of theater as a whole. It not only helps satiate the interest of existing fans, but brings in new ones, piquing the interest of a younger audience eager for fresh and original content. We’re proud to be part of that growing trend.

ABOUT PHANTOM: THE MUSICAL

Gifted with musical genius and cursed with a monstrous face, Erik lives in hiding deep in the catacombs beneath the Paris Opera House. Featuring K-Pop sensation Super Junior’s Kyuhyun.

Watch Phantom: The Musical on Reveel