The Phantom Cometh

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – This psychedelic city never fails to amaze me every time I approach it. I don’t think there is ever any city in this whole wide world that can approximate it. After going through miles and miles of smoothly paved highways snaking through vast treeless or scantily planted dry earth, rolling bald hills, and clumps of dry-looking shrubs and cacti, one suddenly ends up in the glorious technicolor of lights and models of what architectural talent can achieve.

***

The day after entering the U.S. of A. and being plucked from the LAX ( Los Angeles Airport in case you have forgotten), I found out that my cousins Allan and Lourdes Gomez had planned out my itinerary for the few days I will be here. As usual, I am leaving myself in their hands, knowing what consummate vacation organizers they are. Last year, at about this same time, they also took me on a wonderful tour of some of the most beautiful places in California, also with a swing to Las Vegas on the side.

***

Then we visited shrines like the Santa Barbara Church, the quaint Danish inspired town of Solvang, and popular tourist sites like the Hearse Castle, a popular destination for showbiz personalities. The trip surely reinforced whatever one has heard about California being the biggest state in the U.S. All around its bustling cities are miles and miles of vacant land, most of it rolling and arid but most impressive, when one thinks of how much more could be added for the sceneries and attractions of the country if these were developed later into cities or sites for industries. And no squatters anywhere in sight.

***

After a leisurely drive, with Christian, the younger son of Allan and Lourdes at the wheel, we arrived at Bally’s where we had reservations, and where we were met by Nonoy Cordova and Mary Ann Bird of our Vegas “gang”. We made a quick trip to the nearest outlet for a “survey” of the facilities. It was an exotic dinner at the Bahamas Breeze, courtesy of Nonoy Cordova and his wife, the vivacious Rose. It was a very lively meal, with a lot of reminiscences, and updating on Bacolod events.

***

We had to rush later to catch the 1 p.m. showing of the Phantom of the Opera at the Venetian Hotel. Despite the fact that this play has been a big hit and has been showing for years, there was still a big and very appreciative audience who waited in line to catch it. We were fortunate to get seats in the third row, which gave as a wonderful view and very clear sound from the stage. But the show that been produced in such a way that the stage was fully visible to all viewers and the acoustics were so good, I’m sure even those at the very rear had as good a reception as we did.

***

Even if one did not have an ear for music – which was excellent in this one, the use of props and stage effects was so brilliant, one could not remain unimpressed. And the action seemed to come from all around with the actors popping up from the balconies and various parts of the theatre. The singers, the dancers, the costumes all sewed to justify the huge success and continuous appeal of the show, one of the timeless ones brought forth by the incomparable talent of Cameron Mckintosh. Manilans will be lucky, it will be shown in the Philippine capital soon.*

back to top