Vox Lumiere’s version of “Phantom of the Opera” is coming to Henderson

Mixing live theater with black-and-white silent movies in the background, Vox Lumiere plans to present its version of "Phantom of the Opera" at the Henderson Pavilion.

"It is a rock concert meets silent film," said Kevin Saunders Hayes, the creator of Vox Lumiere. "There is nothing like it."

The Vox Lumiere version of "Phantom of the Opera" is scheduled for 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Henderson Pavilion, 200 S. Green Valley Parkway. Tickets are $10.

According to Bud Pico, programs manager with the city's cultural arts and tourism department, city staff members attended the Association of Performing Arts Presenters conference several years ago when they discovered Vox Lumiere.

"We had a chance to meet with them in person and discuss the shows they offered," Pico said.

This year, the city invited Vox Lumiere, which is based in California, to Henderson.

"We had narrowed it down between 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' and 'Phantom of the Opera,' " Pico said. "Eventually, we chose 'Phantom.' "

The production features the 1925 silent film "Phantom of the Opera." As the film plays in the background, actors will sing pop and rock songs on stage to carry out the mood of the scene.

Hayes wanted to find a different type of production to present an audience and started experimenting with ideas in 2000.

"But what crazy director in his right mind would let me experiment?" Hayes said.

The idea formulated randomly when Hayes had to go to the store.

While at the store, Hayes stumbled across a bin of silent movies.

"It was one of those light-bulb moments," Hayes said.

Hayes purchased multiple movies and spent time going through each silent film.

"I was never a silent movie fan," Hayes said. "But I fell in love with them. They were incredible."

The silent films weren't just a new love, they served as inspiration for Vox Lumiere's creations. Hayes would take a film and retell the story with actors and singers as the movie played in the background.

One of the films he decided to experiment with was "Phantom of the Opera." Hayes said even die-hard "Phantom of the Opera" fans have found something enjoyable about the new interpretation of the production.

"It is such a great story," Hayes said. "It's both dark and sexy. That's why people keep retelling the story over and over again."

Hayes' group first presented the show live in 2000 when a friend asked it to perform in France. Now the group has traveled to various cities showing the productions.

Since the first performance, the production has worked out some of the kinks that go along with combining a film background with live actors.

"We have gotten better at focusing people's attention," Hayes said. "People are able to take in a lot more information than you realize."

Hayes said even though the production tries to focus people's attention on multiple stage elements, in the end people are going to pay attention to what appeals to them on stage.

"People are going to watch what they are going to watch," Hayes said. "If you're just captivated by the film or just into the music, you might not watch the other elements."

Along with "Phantom of the Opera," Vox Lumiere does other stage productions such as "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," "Peter Pan" and "Metropolis."

"Asking which one is my favorite is like asking which child is my favorite," Hayes said. "I love them all. They are all different."

Hayes said the group is looking to add more productions such as "Nosferatu" and "Zorro."

In the meantime, Hayes is glad Henderson asked for "Phantom of the Opera" and is ready to give the audience something different to watch.

Hayes added that people who usually attend concerts or theater typically know what to expect.

"But pavilion-goers can expect something they have never seen before," Hayes said. "This is something unique."

For more information, visit voxlumiere.com.

Contact Henderson/Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 387-5201.