Reflections on the Phantom of Opera

Wenhao Zhou
Design Thinking (Fall ’23)
2 min readOct 24, 2023

The most impressive artistic experience for me was the Phantom of the Opera, which I watched a few months ago at the Majestic Theater. It is a very famous and thought-provoking musical. Unfortunately, this musical, which started performing in 1988, was permanently discontinued on April 16, 2023, so I believe it was a very valuable experience.

Firstly, one of the themes of this musical is the relationship between appearance and immanence. The protagonist Phantom, Erik, has an unparalleled singing voice, but due to his special appearance, he cannot showcase his talent on stage and live a normal life like a normal person. Therefore, the audience will be forced to consider whether appearance should determine a person’s value, and how society treats those who do not meet traditional standards of beauty.

In addition, the power of love and compassion plays an important role throughout the play. Christine’s compassion and understanding of Erik ultimately changed him and led him to seek improvement in himself. This reminds me of how understanding and compassion can resolve conflicts, and promote reconciliation and growth in real life.

Art and creativity are also core themes in the play. Eric expressed his emotions and talents through music and stage design. This sparked my thinking about the power of art and how creativity can become a medium for individuals to express their emotions and thoughts.

Finally, social exclusion and isolation are also important considerations. Eric was isolated and excluded by society due to his appearance, which sparked my reflection on how society treats individuals who are different or unconventional. This reminds us of the importance of creating a more inclusive and understanding society.

Overall, watching The Phantom of the Opera not only brought me the enjoyment of music and drama, but also sparked my profound reflection on complex but common issues such as appearance, love, creativity, and social exclusion. This musical provides a thoughtful artistic experience for me with its profound themes and complex characters.

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