An original member of this new production, Fontaine auditioned for the part of Carlotta back in March of 2013 and rehearsals began October 2013 in New York City. "I had been called in to audition for the role in the Broadway company for a couple of years and would seem to always get close, but not quite. It’s such a joy to create this new version of the character!" she says.
Fontaine has always been a fan of musical theater, and played Cinderellea in the Rodgers and Hammerstein's version in high school. As a junior at Cal Lutheran University, she switched her focus from straight theater to opera for the beauty and challenge of it. "The original musical theater, you could say!" she adds. "After a masters degree and doctoral work in classical voice, I paused my studies to get back into musical theater, performing some operetta at PCLO, Sondheim in Indiana, King & I in New Hampshire (Anna is my favorite role now!), and Sound of Music at North Shore."
As for The Phantom of the Opera, Fontaine says the show has a very special place in her
heart. "I was one of those kids who had the CD memorized before even seeing the show," she says. "I’d listen to it on repeat while playing Myst or Carmen SanDiego on the computer. I saw it as a junior in high school and was of course blown away, but unfortunately missed 'Masquerade' because I was late from the bathroom! I tried peeking through the doors to see it because it was one of my favorite parts."
Fontaine loves the realism the new production brings to the stage; the sets make you feel like you're really at the Grand Opera (or even backstage with the stagehands). "I love how the characters are three dimensional, and how the realism was stressed since day one of rehearsal," she adds. Of course, the Fox Theatre helps to really bring this production to life as one of the largest shows to come to Broadway Atlanta. "Personally, I love my colleagues.
The actors, musicians and crew in this production are not only top-notch and incredibly talented, but also good people. We spend a lot of time laughing backstage--well, you have to with such an emotional show!"
The music of this show are truly timeless, with a soundtrack beloved by lovers of musical theatre everywhere. "Andrew Llyod Weber’s score is timeless," says Fontaine. "Its sweeping melodies, glorious harmonies, and intricate orchestrations still move me, 360-some shows in. I had a couple of dear opera friends (performers at the Met, no less!) come see the show, and they were blown away by the music and story." Playing the role of Carlotta, Fontaine has no shortage of grand, beautiful musical numbers, lending to a story both riveting and memorable. "It’s such a staple of a young musician’s/actor’s life, that we sometimes take for granted the poignancy of both the story and music. The story itself deals with unrequited love, loss, feelings of rejection/being an outsider and complex relationships. Add in a spectacular set, gorgeous costumes and some of the most beautiful music, and you’ve got yourself a great night at the theater."
All photos provided by Jennifer Walker of BRAVE Public Relations.
