Vegas becomes that scarred antihero's latest haunt when Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular opens Saturday at the Venetian. Elizabeth Loyacano, who with Sierra Boggess alternates in the role of ingenue Christine, spoke with the Weekly's Steve Bornfeld on KNEWS Radio. Following is an edited version of that interview:
How will fans of the traditional Phantom react to this new version?
If I had a favorite show I'd be standing ready, hands on hip, to judge—"Oh my gosh, how are they going to compress and shorten my favorite show?" But there's a fluidity to it. To fans, I would say: You just have quicker access to all the things you love because with the little bits that have been shaved, it almost seems seamless. The things that are intact are really the most memorable about the show: the music, the moments that blossom between Christine and Raoul, the prima donna moments with Carlotta, all still there.
We've heard so much about the theater, even the side boxes with mannequins dressed in period clothes.
From the moment you step in you're engulfed in this surreal experience. The theater has been made to look like the Paris Opera House. It's amazing, the detail to dress the stage and dress the side boxes. These are life-size mannequins, painted beautifully. Each one has a different period costume on, along with jewelry, tuxedos. You look straight up and you're encased by this huge dome, just breathtaking.
And when the chandelier comes crashing down?
The chandelier falls at a rate of 35 miles per hour in three seconds. It's spectacular. You need to up the ante, and they have not fallen short on any detail.
You alternate playing against two Phantom actors. Do you react differently to each?
Yes. Just like your college buddy pulls out one side of you, and your church buddy pulls out another side of you. They each have a different ambience within them, a different quality, you absolutely respond differently. It keeps it fresh and exciting and very present, so you're not turning it out like a machine for a show a night.
In Christine's relationship to the Phantom, how complex is it to play so many emotions—revulsion, pity, yet fascination, too—at once?
You have to bring all those colors to it. Without getting verbose about it, the relationship with the Phantom is like having a mentor you're drawn to, but realizing he's not everything you thought he was. Being repelled but not in a way absent of sympathy and compassion. She's a youth, so she has an openness and innocence, a blank canvas of no judging but easily influenced. Whether you're 16 or 60, you remember having someone who was awe-inspiring to you, having expectations, and they're altered in some way.
This is a challenging score to sing. Do you do things to pamper your voice?
I try not to have very long conversations with my sisters during the day. I buy ridiculously overpriced water, and I keep taking vitamins. I keep humidifiers going in my apartment constantly. We've already experienced Vegas throat.
You began in show business as a production intern on ER. You were in love with George Clooney, right?
I love George, he's a great guy, he has great sex appeal, but I love my boyfriend a lot more.