‘Phantom’ will haunt the stage in Huntington

The phantom of the opera will be terrorizing actors on the stage of the Huntington Beach High School auditorium this weekend and next -- but don’t expect any “Music of the Night.”

This version of the classic French horror story -- titled simply “Phantom” -- is a different show than the more famous Andrew Lloyd Webber vehicle. But director Tim Nelson, who’s staging the production for the Academy of the Performing Arts, promises just as many thrills and chills.

“This is the Maury Yeston, Arthur Kopit version,” Nelson said, referring to the composers of “Titanic,” “Nine” and “Grand Hotel.”

“Lloyd Webber’s rights are not yet available to the public,” he added. “However, I’ve done this version a couple of times at the Curtain Call [a dinner theater in Tustin], and generally people end up loving this one more. It actually was performing in New York at the same time as the other, but in workshop off-Broadway.”

The story is the same, adapted from the Gaston Leroux novel “The Phantom of the Opera,” which has spawned several movie versions as well as the two stage adaptations. Nelson refers to the Yeston-Kopit creation as “musical theater in the finest sense.

“It is a sensation that enraptures audiences and critics with beautiful songs and an expertly crafted book,” Nelson said. “It is constructed around characters more richly developed than in any other version, including the original novel.”

The music for the rendition being readied by the Academy of the Performing Arts “is really filled with some of the most beautiful music I’ve ever heard,” Nelson said. “The voices in this cast are so impressive that I am really excited for everyone to hear.”

Those voices are headed by Josh Allton, in the title role of the demonic music maker who haunts the Paris opera house, and Katie Dixon as his captivated protege, Christine.

Other principals include Jared Swartz (Gerard Carriere), Erin Bull (Carlotta), Stephen Amundson (her husband Cholet), Adam Mantell (Philippe, the Count de Chandon) and Brian Wessels (Inspector Ledoux).

Featured in the dream sequence will be Katie Ulrich, Michael Falkenstein and Tim Garcia. Others in the cast are Troy Butcher, Susan Bartolme, Kendall Richardson, Brittany Gerardi, Drew Davey, Aaron Edmiston, Neil Starkenberg, Travis Coleman and Jared Marino.

“It’s a great way to spend the evening with a classic,” Nelson said. “The cast of 50 really rocks the rafters with their sound, and between the music, impressive set and, as always, live orchestra, you really feel like you’re seeing a grand opera.”

Performances will be Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. through Oct. 22, with two Sunday matinees, Oct. 16 and 23 at 2 p.m.

Performances will be in the school auditorium, 1905 Main St., Huntington Beach.

Call (714) 536-2514, ext. 4025 for reservations and information.

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