Sep 30

So it is to be war between us… An Unsolicited, Unprofessional, Largely Unedited Critique of “Masquerade” in New York City

From the “Masquerade” Facebook Page.

Masquerade NYC presented by LW Entertainment
Based on The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber 

Loosely based on the novel by historical hottie Gaston Leroux
Lyrics by Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe
Book by Richard Stilgoe and Andrew Lloyd Webber
Directed by Diane Paulus
Additional cast and crew credits
https://www.instagram.com/masqueradenyc

Now through February 1, 2026.
Performed at 218 W 57th Street, NY 10019 

Critique by Kitty Drexel

10/01/2025 Update: The critique now contains personal photos.

NEW YORK: In March 2025, cryptic messages from The Phantom of the Opera popped up across the internet asking his fans if they missed him. We did. In June 2025, Masquerade established its presence on social media. On June 30, tickets became available on the MasqueradeNYC website. They sold out in hours. When I didn’t snag a ticket during the first sold-out sales event, I theorized the show’s instant popularity would inspire an extension. Producers are horny for cold, hard cash and won’t turn down more if it’s assured. It turns out I was right about my prediction. On July 9, an email advertising the production’s extension was sent to subscribers. 

After paying an egregious amount for tickets in July, I added my name to the Phantom’s “visitor ledger” by buying a ticket for Sept. 17, 7:30 PM. I nearly wet myself with excitement planning my arrival at the not-so-secret venue on a public street, to speak the secret password for entrance into the Phantom’s lair, and to give myself over to the Music of the Night.  Continue reading

Jun 25

The Emperor Has No Clothes: ‘Masquerade’ Was a Smug, Misogynistic Mess


Presented by Cherry Orchard Festival
Produced by Vakhtangov State Academic Theatre of Russia
Based on the ‘verse drama’ by Mikhail Lermontov
Directed by Rimas Tuminas
Set Design by Adomas Yatsovskis
Costumes by Maxim Obrezkov
English Subtitles by Ivan Samokhin

June 18—19, 2019
Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre
Boston, MA 02116
Cherry Orchard Festival on Facebook

Critique by Diana Lu

(Boston, Mass.) My program calls Masquerade a “verse drama.” That’s about the most pretentious thing I’ve ever seen. Even Shakespeare just wrote “plays.” Other reviewers keep comparing this 19thcentury Russian romantic play to Shakespeare’s Othello. I’m sure writer Mikhail Lermontov filched his basic plot points from The Bard, but the similarities end there. Continue reading