Phantom of the Opera 【歌剧魅影】

It is a very popular musical. I have seen Phantom of the Opera several times, although not in New York. The score, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, is terrific, and it includes well-known songs like "Music of the Night," "Angel of Music," and "Think of Me". The costumes worn by all of the performers, especially during the "Masquerade" scene, are also sensational.

Synopsis: A disfigured musical genius haunts the catacombs beneath the Paris Opera and exerts strange control over a lovely young soprano.

Les Miserables 【悲惨世界】

It is based on Victor Hugo's epic novel of the same name. Like Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables also has a great score. I enjoy most of the songs in this musical, including "Who Am I?," "A Little Fall of Rain," "One Day More," "Bring Him Home" and "I Dreamed a Dream".

Synopsis: Relentless policeman Javert pursues escaped convict Jean Valjean over decades through the tumult of revolutionary France. Valjean becomes a mayor, agrees to raise the daughter of dying prostitute, and joins the fight for freedom. None of this impresses the single-minded Javert - until the day Valjean saves his life.

Rent【吉屋出租】

It is the show I saw during my trip to New York. At the time, it was playing at the Nederlander Theatre, located on West 41st Street. Rent is a fairly new show written by Jonathan Larson. The singing in Rent is absolutely amazing, as is the storyline.

Detailed synopsis: Benny is Mark and Roger's former roommate. With the help of his new wealthy father-in-law, Benny has bought the building in which Mark and Roger live, and the lot next door that is inhabited by a group of homeless people. Benny wants to build a high-tech cyber-arts studio on the property. Toward this end, he plans to clear the homeless from the lot and evict all the tenants from the building, including Mark and Roger.

Mark's former lover, Maureen, schedules a performance protest of Benny's scheme for midnight on Christmas Eve. Benny offers a deal to Mark and Roger: If they convince Maureen to stop her protest, they can stay in the building rent free.

At the end of Act I, Maureen stages her performance. A riot erupts in the lot, which Mark videotapes. Then Benny padlocks the building, locking out all the tenants.

Act II begins on New Year's Eve as Mark, Roger and friends attempt to break back into the building. The rest of the act follows the events of the year.