By FRAN SIKORSKI

By now, most theatergoers are aware there are two musical productions of the 1911 Gaston Leroux novel, The Phantom of the Opera, the Andrew Lloyd Webber version continuing on Broadway for 20 years and the Arthur Kopit-Maury Yeston Phantom, an outstanding commercial success at theaters throughout the United States.

The Kopit-Yeston Phantom has a powerful story and includes an emotional explanation of how the Phantom, given the name Erik in this version, was disfigured and exiled himself to the catacombs beneath the Paris Opera House. Phantom was eventually produced in 1991 in regional theaters and has remained a success ever since.

Now in its third production, a spectacular one, at the Westchester Broadway Theater in Elmsford, N.Y., through Nov. 25, the Arthur Kopit-Maury Yeston Phantom will be in hiatus while A Christmas Carol plays during the holiday season, resuming Dec. 27 to Feb. 9. The last time Phantom played at Westchester Broadway Theatre, the run was extended for nine months. Don’t be surprised if this happens again with the new leads, Aaron Ramey as the Phantom, and Kate Rockwell, a runner-up in the Grease You’re the One I Want television show, as Christine Daee. James Van Treuren returns as Gerard Carriere, the Phantom’s guardian, and Sandy Rosenberg is the jealous opera diva Carlotta. All voices are outstanding.

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Phantom: The American Musical Sensation (1992 Studio Cast)