Masquerade! Paper Faces on Parade!

I went into "Masquerade" with sky-high expectations, and it still completely blew me away. At $395 for most tickets, it is not cheap. However, after emailing the box office well in advance and negotiating a special rate, I can confidently say this immersive reimagining of "The Phantom of the Opera" is worth every penny. In just two hours, it delivered the same level of magic and emotional depth as some of the most memorable adventures of my life: getting proposed to at the Eiffel Tower, cliff jumping into the Green River, and swimming with sea lions and turtles in the Galápagos. I already cannot wait to go back with my husband!

The fun begins even before you enter the theater. The experience starts with a unique ticketing system that provides a secret password. The website suggests dressing in black, silver, or white, so I fully embraced the theme. Using a new embroidery skill I learned last Christmas, I made my own shirt, and it turned out great! The theater provides a mask upon entry, but I opted for a glittery upgrade from Amazon for just a few dollars. Pro tip: Lean into the dress code. It enhances the entire experience.

There truly is not a bad seat or standing spot, but your positioning can make a big difference if you want interactions with the characters. Being one of the first people in line helped me. Here is a helpful tip for future visitors: If you are among the first into a room, you may end up with a great spot (though you will not know exactly where the prime location is until you are there), and you

will likely be among the last to leave the room as the group rotates. I was incredibly lucky and had multiple wonderful interactions. Madame Carlotta introduced herself to me and playfully acted offended that I “didn’t know who she was.” Another highlight was Madame Giry complimenting my glittery mask. I froze in the moment and completely forgot to tell her that I had made the shirt! Several people received letters from the Phantom, and I will admit I was a bit jealous. The interactive elements are delightful, but I will not spoil them here.

The show itself is intimate, emotional, and deeply immersive. This production offers an up-close view of the Phantom’s world, especially his childhood, creating a profound emotional connection that builds beautifully to the grand finale. The cast for my Pulse 3 performance was phenomenal, led by Hugh Panaro as the Phantom, Francesca Mehrotra as Christine, and Dan Hoy as Raoul. The rotating “pulse” system gives each performance its own unique feel. We experienced the indoor version, which includes a special room you would miss if you exit at the roof scene.

Two unfortunate moments stood out to me. During one mid-show scene, a medical emergency in another pulse caused the music to stop abruptly, and the actress had to step out. We sat in awkward silence for a while, but the theater handled it excellently. The “butler” kept everyone calm and well-informed. I did not mind the pause; after all, in a traditional theater, the show would have stopped as well. In the emotional final scene, the phone of the woman directly in front of me went off. She did not notice right away, so it continued ringing and pulled me out of the moment. That was not the theater’s fault, but I wish she had turned it off completely or left it in her bag.

Masquerade is a thrilling, site-specific spectacle spread across multiple floors of a Midtown building. The performances are fiery and fully committed, the staging is inventive, and the immersion is total. If you love Phantom, theater, or simply unforgettable live experiences, go see it. Dress up, embrace the mystery, and let yourself be swept away. I cannot wait to return and bring my husband, Jeff, next time!