It took 20 48-feet-long semi trucks to bring the tons of electronic props, scenery, costumes, lights and pyrotechnics to Wharton Center for "The Phantom of the Opera."
The show could have gone on with just a single limousine - as long as it carried Brad Little, who takes on the title role in Andrew Lloyd Webber's masterpiece.
Granted, I'd never seen "Phantom" before its return to Wharton, but Little exudes the mysterious image of the Phantom.
He's loving, frightening and tortured in his portrayal of the deformed figure who has overtaken the Paris Opera House. And his singing, especially in "The Music of the Night," is brilliant.
It's hard to imagine anyone - even the show's original Phantom - outperforming this version. Little simply steals the show.
But since "Phantom" comes with all that fancy stuff from those tractor-trailers, it might as well be used - and used incredibly well.
Obviously a technological wonder when it first hit Broadway, "Phantom" uses everything from computer-operated candles coming from the floor to pyrotechnic explosions.
And it would be a crime to leave out mention of the famous 1,000-pound chandelier, which falls from the ceiling over the first few rows of the audience - just don't expect much of a scare if you're sitting anywhere else in the Great Hall.
The real scares are from the Phantom as he haunts young Christine Daaé (Julie Hanson), her young lover Raoul (Tim Martin Gleason) and the rest of the Paris Opera characters.
Phantom comes to Christine as a voice in her head - her "angel of music" - and intends for her to displace Carlotta Guidicelli (Kim Stengel) as the lead soprano on stage. But the disfigured man, who lives in the depths of the house, is put into a jealous rage when he finds Christine pledging her love to Raoul and wages war on the opera house.
Hanson plays Christine beautifully, amazing the audience with her larger-than-life voice. Gleason, too, portrays his role of Christine's lover remarkably well.
The costumes, choreography and music all hold up to the reputation "Phantom" carries. In fact, the only downfall of the performance I saw was a brief faux pas when the house lights in the first few rows came on.
Fortunately, the problem was quickly fixed and the show went on without another hitch.
Webber's music, with lyrics by Charles Hart, is amazing. And if even if you've never seen "Phantom," you're sure to recognize the music, highlighted by "The Phantom of the Opera," "The Music of the Night" and "Angel of Music."
A dark musical, "Phantom" has its lighter moments as well, including the comedic role of Ubaldo Piangi (Frederic Heringes), the slightly chubby male opera singer, and Act Two's light lead-in song, "Masquerade."
No matter where you see it, "Phantom" is bound to be a pleasure.
It just so happens it's in your backyard through Feb. 16.
Overall: * * * * *
Acting: * * * * *
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Choreography: * * * *
Costumes: * * * * *
Score: * * * * *
Singing: * * * * *
