Ten years after a sensational sell-out evening in Cal Poly’s Christopher Cohan Center, the SLO Film Fest presents an encore of the original 1925 silent film that inspired “The Phantom of the Opera” Broadway show, Andrew Lloyd Weber’s haunting soundtrack and four subsequent movies!
Acclaimed organist Christian Elliott will accompany the legendary film on the Forbes Pipe Organ in Cal Poly’s Performing Arts Center for this Halloween-inspired, family-friendly event on Thursday, October 26 at 7:00 p.m.
Before the movie, famed “Phantom” and Tony Award winner, Anthony Crivello, will perform two hit songs from the stage musical. He will be joined by OperaSLO company soloist, Alba Franco-Cancél and Christian Elliott on the organ for the show’s title song. This event is sponsored by BHE Renewables, KVEC, KRUSH and Quality Suites of San Luis Obispo.
Multi-award winning singer and actor, Anthony Crivello performed for over five years as the “Phantom” in Hal Prince’s “Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular.” Prior to that, he won a Tony Award for “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” appearing in New York, Toronto and London’s West End. During his successful career, he also appeared in numerous stage productions, television shows and movies.
Crivello will be joined by OperaSLO company soloist, Alba Franco-Cancél for a duet of the musical’s title song. Puerto Rican soprano, Alba Franco-Cancél, has performed in a wide range of operas and concert performances and has gained a reputation for her pure and silvery sound and charismatic stage presence.
Acclaimed concert and silent film organist, Christian Elliott will accompany both singers, and then perform his original score for the 1925 silent film classic, on the Forbes Pipe Organ. Equally at home performing the musical literature of church or theatre, Elliott’s historically accurate recreations of silent film scores place him in particularly high demand. In 2009, he accompanied “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” for a SLO Film Fest fundraising event. That same year, he was recognized as “Organist of the Year” by the American Theatre Organ Society.
There will be a costume contest in the lobby before the show and refreshments will be available at the PAC lobby kiosk. Winners will be invited to the stage to collect prizes. Raffle tickets will also be sold with a wide variety of exciting raffle prizes available. After the show, there will be a meet-and-greet with the guest artists in the lobby.
Tickets are on sale now for this unique evening of gothic horror and awe-inspiring music, just days before Halloween. General admission tickets are on sale for $40, and $30 for students and SLO Film Society member. They are also available online at pacslo.org or by calling *805) 756-4849 or in person at the Cal Poly Box Office.
The proceeds from this event will benefit the 24th Annual SLO Film Fest, happening March 13-18, 2018. Sponsor inquiries are welcome and film entries are being accepted until the end of November. Festival schedule will be announced in mid-February, 2018, but festival passes are on sale now at slofilmfest.org. Early-bird discounts are available until the end of the year.