A French novel, several silent horror films, a Broadway musical, a site-specific work of immersive theater: It all has led to….Joshua William Gelb’s closet.

“Many people have asked why we are doing another Phantom of the Opera,” Gelb said live on my computer screen. He gave an elaborate answer, but I was more focused on the chunks of monster makeup he was applying, to get ready for the latest Theater of Quarantine production livestreamed from the closet of his East Village apartment.

Gelb was one of the great digital theater innovators when the Covid-19 pandemic shut down in-person theater in 2020,, and he has continued experimenting over the last five years, with such increasingly sophisticated works as Blood Meal, All The Different Ways Commodore Matthew Perry Could Have Died and I Am Sending You The Sacred Face, a musical about Mother Teresa) Two Halloweens ago, he livestreamed an adaptation of “Nosferatu,” inspired by F.W. Murnau’s 1922 silent horror film (which was itself an artful adaptation of Brian Stoker’s 19th century novel, “Dracula.”) And now through November 3, he is giving similar treatment to The Phantom of the Opera, inspired by the 1925 silent horror film that starred Lon Chaney. 

Commissioned and presented by NYU Skirball, the hour-long work does an impressive job of re-creating the feel of the film, complete with title credits, title cards, and even the bright white specs that are common in old film stock. There are several differences from the century-old movie: Viewers can register their reaction to what’s going on, and can toggle to a screen that shows the “backstage” activity – in other words, cast and crew milling about in Gelb’s apartment.  

Curtain call

Phantom of the Opera, through November 3

Co-Created by Joshua William Gelb & Normandy Sherwood
in collaboration with the company
Joshua William Gelb: Erik
Sophie Delphis: Christine
Curtis Gillen: Raoul
Erin Amlicke: Management
Jon Levin: Management

Scenography: Normandy Sherwood
Sound: Alex Hawthorn
Mediaturgy: Shoshanah Tarkow
Direction and Video: Joshua William Gelb

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