‘Phantom’ taking shape

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom of the Opera” is the longest-running show in Broadway history. It premiered in 1986 and tours the world to this day. New York and London have continually shown the production since the premiere.

“Phantom of the Opera” has spawned a major feature film and influenced generations of modern musicals. Jason Mills plays the Phantom in the West Coast tour staged at the Orange County Performing Artscenter.

The Daily Pilot asked Mills what it’s like to be the Phantom of the Opera.

How does it feel to be playing the title role in such a historic show?

“It’s definitely great. I sort of grew up listening to and watching the show, and to actually be in it is kind of fulfilling. It was second Broadway show I ever saw. It was big formative experience.”

What do you do to get into character?

“I spend almost an hour in the make-up chair every night so that helps me clear my mind every night and get into the zone.”

How did you get involved in theater?

“I’ve been doing theater all my life. My dad was actually an English and drama teacher and he directed the Gilbert and Sullivan company in my hometown in Maine. I was on the stage doing that by the age of 7 in community theater... I didn’t think I could make a career in theater so I ended up going to Harvard University and got a degree in biology. I decided to try theater out again before I went on to med school, and here I am.”

What effect has “Phantom of the Opera” had on the world of musical theater?

“It’s been incredibly influential. I would say you see a lot of shows that try to copy it and try to feed off its success to varying degrees of success… It sort of sparked this resurgence of this old classic Victorian horror as well having a dramatic effect on every love story in theater since.”

What’s the favorite musical you’ve done?

“‘Forbidden Broadway.’ That was a great time — I really loved doing that. I also played Chris in ‘Miss Saigon.’ That was really fun. I’ve also done a lot of off Broadway shows in New York.”

How does the Orange County Performing Art Center in compare with theaters on Broadway?

“It really is a much bigger space here, and it has a different feel. It’s a much more modern space and you just have to adjust. When I get out there on stage, it usually feels the same to me other than a little bit of the sound I hear and different acoustics.”

What’s your favorite part of the show?

“My favorite part that I like doing is a section we call the final layer. It’s the last 15 minutes of the show down in the layer of the Phantom. It’s the most action-packed, suspense-filled section.”

What are the crowds usually like?

“I would say our core audience is teenage girls, and there’s a pretty strong contingent of middle-aged women who saw it when they were teenage girls and are now bringing their daughters.”

IF YOU GO

WHAT: “The Phantom of the Opera”

WHERE: Orange County Performing Art Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa.

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays through April 19.

COST: $21.25 to $73.25.

INFO: Call (714) 556-2746 or visit www.ocpac.org.

THEN AND NOW

In the 22 years since “Phantom of the Opera” premiered, a lot has changed. Take a look at the difference between then and now.

POLITICS

1986: Ronald Reagan was the president of the United States. The United States was in the tail end of the Cold War, and the Iran Contra scandal first hit the headlines.

2008: John McCain, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton compete in the presidential race. If Obama wins, he will be the first black U.S. president; if Hillary Clinton wins, she will be the first woman Commander in Chief. McCain would be the oldest president to be sworn in.

NEWS

1986: The United States mourned the loss of the Space Shuttle Challenger crew in January, and the Soviet nuclear power plant in Chernobyl suffered a severe meltdown sending radioactive fallout as far as North America.

2008: The 4,000th U.S. death is recorded in Iraq. The world economy is in recession after the housing bubble burst.

THEATER

1986: “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” won the Tony Award for Best Musical, and “I’m Not Rappaport” won the award for Best Play. “Phantom of the Opera” premieres.

2008: “Spring Awakening” won the 2007 Tony for Best Musical, “The Coast of Utopia” won Best Play. “Phantom” is still running.

FILM

1986: Oliver Stone’s “Platoon” took the Oscar for Best Picture while Paul Newman was named Best Actor for “The Color of Money.” Marlee Matlin was Best Actress for her portrayal of Sarah in “Children of a Lesser God.”

2008: “No Country for Old Men” won the Oscar for Best Picture. Marion Cotillard won Best Actress for “La Vie en Rose,” and Daniel Day Lewis took Best Actor for “There Will Be Blood.”

MUSIC

1986: Chris de Burgh sang to his “Lady In Red,” while Iggy Pop was busy being a “Real Wild Child.” Run D.M.C. teamed with Aerosmith to “Walk This Way,” and The Beastie Boys were in the middle of the fight for the right to party.

2008: Buckcherry is “Sorry” and Leona Lewis is “Bleeding Love.” Carrie Underwood continues being an “All American Girl.”

JOSH ADEN may be reached at (714) 966-4609 or at josh.aden@latimes.com.