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 by
Nikki Artale
nikkiartale@cox.net
(702) 279-7001
Phantom's
Carlotta - Elena Jeanne Batman
It is called a Las Vegas Spectacular...a 40 million dollar custom built
theater and a chandelier that was re-designed and re-constructed
specially for the Las Vegas show at the cost 21 million dollars.
Carlotta’s costumes cost $250,000. The gray draperies open as the show
starts to reveal the famous Paris Opera House and the chandelier is put
together in all its glory. Fabulous colors of gold and red and hundreds
of balconies filled with opera fans. The costumes are splendid and
fabulous. The organ music is dramatic. Phantom premiered in 1986 in
London and has since grossed more than 3 billion world wide in 20
countries. In 1988 it won 7 Tonys. In 2006 it became the longest running
show in the history of Broadway.
www.phantomlasvegas.com
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The 3 lead roles are the Phantom, Christine and Carlotta. Carlotta is
played by Elena Batman. As she sang I got chills up my spine listening
to her powerful voice. She commanded the stage. She has played this role
for 16 years, including the time she was an understudy. She truly has
mastered the part.
Elena Jeanne Batman
Andrew Lloyd Webber originally wrote the part for his wife Sarah
Brightman who was the original Christine in London. There were 2
Christine’s, one for the matinee and one for the evening shows, as it was
a very demanding role. In Las Vegas they double cast 2 of each of the
main characters, the Phantom, Christine and Carlotta.
As we sat in the radio studio taping the show Elena shared how the parts
require the stars to be operatically trained because they sing to the
extreme top of their vocal range. They hit high note after high note and
it is an intense dramatic range. It is a taxing role.
Elena Jeanne Batman
Elena does half of the performances which are 4 shows a week. She plays
Carlotta, the diva lead soprano at the Paris Opera and does all the lead
roles in new productions and there is someone who is trying to get rid
of her. She becomes jealous of the great success of Christine. The most
spectacular scene was Masquerade, scene 11 on the staircase of the opera
house, New Years Eve. The costumes are so authentic that one
actually believes they are in that time period. The colors are
brilliant, bold, dazzling, and spectacular.
Elena comes from a musical background. Her mother was a musician and her
sister is also a singer. She plays the piano and the violin. Elena sang
when she was about 1 year old
before she started talking. She could
always remember singing. The highlight of the interview was when
Elena’s 4 year old daughter Alyssa came into the room. What a beautiful
sweet girl. We asked her to sing and she started singing a song which
was so pure and angelic.
Elena & Alyssa.
Alyssa loves to sing and she sang us a song that she made up. She then
joined Elena in singing “Think of Me” from the Phantom. Alyssa said she
watched her mother perform a little bit because she was a little afraid
of the phantom. Alyssa was very outgoing and not a bit shy. She was a
delight to talk to and have in the studio.
Elena, Nikki and Alyssa.
There is no doubt in my mind that Alyssa will be a star one day just
like her mother.
I want to thank Monterey Brookman, the public relations person for the
Phantom, for coming with Elena to the show.
Monterey Brookman
If you would like to listen to the above show go to
www.alltalkradio.net/celebritynews scroll down to Show
Archives and click on 12/17/07. While you are on our web site listen to
all the other shows on the archives.
If you have questions or comments contact Nikki Artale at
nikkiartale@cox.net or
call her at 702 279-7001.
Get Healthy and Wealthy go to:
www.meltingoffthefat.com
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