“It actually takes a lot of courage to be like Christine, and show kindness and empathy in the face of danger and adversity,” she says.The chandelier used in the current Broadway production of The Phantom of the Opera. Tavares disagrees with those who view Christine as a damsel in distress. “But when you have that uninhibited kindness as Christine does, you don’t really even think about that.” “I am very similar to Christine in the fact that I love helping people, even when sometimes it doesn’t appear to be the safest or smartest choice, just like how Christine goes into the lair without much regard for the danger that could be lurking,” she says. She strongly relates to the character, but not so much in the sense of experiencing unrequited love. These themes have stood the test of time, just as much as the music and production value of the show, and those qualities are what keep audiences coming back for more.įor Tavares, playing Christine has long been a career goal. Viewers of the show may see an epic love story that tells the tale of a beautiful woman in distress and her muddled relationship with a disfigured monster, but there are also themes of empathy, understanding, and the age-old lesson of not to judge a book by its cover.

He shows her such gentle kindness, so when he starts to become really violent, she comes to him and says, ‘You aren’t that, and you don’t have to be what others label you as.’” “My character sees someone like the Phantom who’s wounded, and then my character tries to help him realize his own worth. The story is rooted in a place of empathy and love, and it really grabs people,” says Eva Tavares, who plays Christine.

“Honestly there are so many reasons it stood the test of time, but the biggest thing is the story.

The pair eventually bonds over a love for music and her ability to see past his disfiguration. Christine becomes the obsession of a mysterious, disfigured musical genius living in the labyrinth below the theater. The story follows a young soprano, Christine Daaé, who is performing in Paris at the Opera Populaire. The show’s longevity and popularity can be attributed to its catchy, award-winning songs, an epic love story, and its relatable themes. Hailed as one of the best theater productions of all time, “The Phantom of the Opera” is the longest running show on Broadway.

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