“The Phantom of the Opera” has been called “the perfect love story” by critics and fans alike. That theory has contributed to how the production became the longest-running musical in the United States. However, there are many other musicals that have “less problematic” plotlines that are much more deserving of that title, like “Dear Evan Hansen” (oh wait, that love story was based on a lie) or “The Last Five Years” (which ends with a divorce).
Anyway, the title of “perfect love story” certainly does not fit “The Phantom of the Opera.” Below, I am going to objectively explain to you how the Phantom’s love story with Christine Daae goes along in the show, and you can decide for yourself whether it is “the perfect love story” or not.
Step One: Fall in love
The show does not explore why, but it begins with the Phantom haunting the Paris Opera House where Christine Daae, a prima donna with whom he is in love, is performing.
Step Two: Stalk her
According to the show, the Phantom has been spending years teaching Daae how to sing through the walls without ever seeing her. When Christine’s childhood friend, Raoul, attempts to ask her out on a date, the Phantom reveals himself to entice Christine to reject Raoul’s offer.
Step Three: Kidnap her
After the Phantom appears in her mirror, he takes Christine to his secret lair under the sewers of the opera house and tells her that she needs to take on the lead role in the opera instead of Carlotta, a diva who was originally cast to sing “The Music of the Night.”
Step Four: Discover she has a boyfriend
Six months later, when the Phantom orders Christine to star in an opera he had written, “Don Juan Triumphant,” he discovers that Christine is secretly engaged to Raoul.
Step Five: Try to kill the boyfriend
Following the forced performance of “Don Juan Triumphant,” the Phantom forces Christine to wear a wedding dress, and then ensnares her boyfriend in the Punjab Lasso, protesting that he deserves what he wants (Christine) because the world has always been cruel to him. Then, the Phantom tells Christine that he will kill Raoul unless she promises to stay in his lair with him in “The Point of No Return.”
After Christine kisses him and tells him that he is not alone, the Phantom relents and releases Raoul. He orders them never to tell anyone where his lair is and then yells at them before breaking down in tears at the kindness Christine showed.
Step Six: Live happily ever after on Coney Island
Well, in all candor, this happens in the sequel musical, “Love Never Dies,” which, for good reason, did not achieve the same critical acclaim as its predecessor. However, the musical does follow roughly the same storyline. In that musical, the Phantom contracts Christine to perform at the opening of a new attraction at Luna Park on Coney Island.
