Fog gently wafts around stone pillars in a dimly lit cave. A masked man steers a boat with an elegantly dressed young woman inside. Candelabras flicker; glittering seductively in the darkness. The intertwining of a sweet soprano and a mournful bass create a haunting harmony. So the scene was set at Nerinx Hall's production of ''The Phantom of the Opera". Based on the book by Gaston Leroux, it was adapted for the stage in 1986 by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It has since become the longest running Broadway musical of all time.

Featuring the Paris Opera in 1881, the musical outlines the story of "the opera ghost", or "The Phantom of the Opera". The Phantom has fallen in love with a beautiful actress from the Opera's company, but cannot show himself: he is horribly disfigured. The young woman, Christine Daae, had been taking musical instruction from a mysterious stranger; unbeknownst to her, this "angel of music" was the Phantom himself. Therefore, when the Opera gets new management and the patron, Raoul, becomes interested in Christine, the Phantom becomes angry. Who will win the heart of young Christine? What terrible events might occur?

Anchored by a superb set of technical elements and an excellent energy from the sizable cast, Nerinx Hall managed to pay such an illustrious musical its due. The sprightly dancers and shining vocals painted a clear dramatic picture onstage.

Christine Daae (Carolyn Cowling) was an innocent young woman. Cowling's vocal dynamics and simple portrayal were enticing and realistic. Playing as Cowling's love interest, Joe Essig (Raoul) entranced the audience with his love for Christine. Essig's vocals were spot-on: emotionally rich and stunningly toned. Raoul's bravery was seen through Essig's inflection and stage presence. Evan Fornachon's Phantom was the very picture of a tortured soul, from his actions to his striking vocals. Fornachon's singing delighted in many numbers, especially his rendition of "Music of the Night".

Other notable characters included the Opera's managers, Mnsr. Firmin (Tim Eidman) and Mdme. Andre (Allie Leuke). The pair interacted beautifully; their comedic lines and exaggerated reactions were enjoyable and brought a lively element to the stage. Further, the operatic voices of Carlotta (Natalie Hunt) and Piangi (Michael Schimmle) were beautifully intoned and showcased both actors' clear talent. Although there were a few dropped lines or missed notes, the cast handled mistakes with grace, which should be acknowledged.

The technical elements of this show held some true "theater magic". The stage crew was fast and handled quick changes with finesse. Large set pieces were moved silently and almost without detection. And although the sound had a few problems with mikes, they handled the large cast well: characters were understandable and heard.

Overall, Nerinx Hall's "Phantom" delighted: the story was romantic, yet traumatic. The performance had the audience on its feet. This reviewer, at least, certainly enjoyed the "Music of the Night" at Nerinx Hall.