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Hey there, I'm new here but I came to you guys in hopes that you'll be able to help with an upcomming routine of mine (and perhpas many more to come). My most newest performance is going to be a Phantom of the Opera themed act. I'll be using the music from the Broadway show from beginning to end. If you are familiar with the Andrew Llyod Webber storyline try to follow along with what I have thus far:
I begin the show by producing a chandelier on the stage, which rises above the audience. From there I have a few generic tricks that I'll perform to the music for "Think of me" up to "Masquerade" where I envcounter my first problem. I need some act i can do with fans ans changing masks if there's such an act out there. I would like to end with a skull mask or some surprise mask in the end. I also need to know where I can get a hand on some vintage-esque acts or props to use, something reminiscent of the Illusionist, just to add to the time period theme. (And as if I haven't ask you enough) I need a big act I can do before I make myself dissappear with a Dekolta Chair like the Phantom does in the stage show. If you can help me out with this overly massive request that would be amazing. Thank you all in advance.

Jeff McBride does some changing mask stuff. You might want to check out if he's published anything on it.

beeno wrote:Jeff McBride does some changing mask stuff. You might want to check out if he's published anything on it.

As much as I know he didn't, and probably never will.
It's his signature piece and I doubt he will ever be willing to share it.

What you can do is to try and put your hands on the DVD/video of his stage show "Abracadazzle" (I might have misspelled it), and take notes (notice I said take notes, not copy).
What you do need to take into consideration is, that all of his mask are costume made leather masks that he himself made, and it will cost you more then a pretty penny to buy ones/make ones of a close quality and performance.

Personally I once wrote a script for a small stage routine with a similar theme (to Phantom of the opera, not the Masquerade bit). Never got to perform it, though it had a few good ideas, so if you are interested I'm willing to share a few of the ideas, just PM me.

Also another small note, if you are going for the Dekolta chair, you will probably need an assistant, both to get the cloth into a good position, and pulling it away after the vanish, and also to create the needed misdirection while you "disappear". So I would recommend A female assistant, that will play the part of the women the phantom falls in love with (forgot her name, it's been a long time since I saw the play). And if you get an assistant into the act, this opens a whole new place for ideas especially how you bring the lady on to stage (In the script I mentioned before, I introduce the lady with a very special take of mine on the shadow box) .

I don't know Phantom of the Opera so can't really help with tricks. But it sounds like a rally interesting idea, best of luck with it.

Italliano21390 wrote:....I also need to know where I can get a hand on some vintage-esque acts or props to use, something reminiscent of the Illusionist,......

Take a look here , some members have purchased from Black Hart he is also a member here. You might find something you could use since mopst of his props have a "vintage" feeling :

http://www.blackhart.co.uk/page10.html

As for what immydd said, the dekolta act at the end is pretty well planned. Since I'm not really trying to be the Phantom or represent him in the routine I don't rely heavily on the plot, but mainly the music. I do have female assisstant that I do a great Tango/appearance/levitation act with and a few more acts so I basically lead up to a climactic end where I "hide" under a sheet. While sitting on the chair my lovely assisstant enters with some police-ish men. She pulls the sheet off and poof I'm gone.

P.S. I'll post a trick list if you guys want to, because I reaally need help filling in alot of gaps.

I have seen it 3 times, and I do magic.

So I guess I could help. I will take a look at what you have asap.

(I am a big theater dude- plays and musicals)