What can I say, the show was much better than I anticipated.
I actually did not have high expectations for Phantom mainly due to the fact that I wasn't that interested in the story. I've seen the movie with Emmy Rossum but I can't say that I was impressed by it. I bought my friend tickets to Phantom over New Years Eve for Christmas and she BEGGED me to go with her. Initially I said no because how lame is that, I buy her tickets and one is for me?! Boy am I glad that she took me now!
The special effects are amazing. You're left wondering how they got from point A to point B on the set and the pyrotechnics are nothing short of spectacular. The theatre and the set was absolutely breathtaking. You can tell that not a single expense was spared in the construction of the venue. There are 2 things that I didn't like though. One was that they were total Nazi's over pictures in the theatre. I mean c'mon the show didn't even start yet and you're telling me that I can't take pictures?! Go back to seating people you people seater pssshhh...
Secondly, the chairs were not comfortable in my opinion. There is barely any leg room and I felt my leg going numb a few times AND there were no cup holders. Thankfully we were sitting in the front row up in one of the balconies so we were able to use the ledge. It just makes it hard to enjoy the show when your legs are losing circulation, you have to keep shifting to regain circulation, you are sitting with your purse/coat in your lap AND you're trying to not elbow the people next to you. Larger seats please!
All in all it is worth the money and I can see why it gets sold out so quickly.