THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

Geoffrey Howard reads this early twentieth-century melodrama in a British accent that sounds slightly foreign; it’s a bit distracting at first but ultimately gives the story the Continental mood it calls for. He shines at moving the story briskly, effortlessly keeping it involving, even through its pulpy excesses and sillier excursions, such as some comic relief involving the opera’s managers. Howard falls short only by holding back in rendering some of the Phantom’s more extreme behaviors--mad laughter and other scene-chewing (though he conveys fully his love-sick last extremity). Perhaps his restraint is wise; his ability to make such a wild purple tale not seem ridiculous is an accomplishment. W.M. 2006 Audie Award Finalist © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 06]