NORTHFIELD — “The Phantom of the Opera,” running Thursday night through Saturday at Pioneer Valley Regional School, will be the PVRS Theater Program’s most elaborate and technically challenging spring musical yet — as well as its longest yet, at more than two hours in length.
“It’s giant as far as set pieces go: what needs to happen with the chandelier, with the boat, with the fog, all the special effects in the show,” said Kimberly Rose, who co-directs the theater program with her wife, PVRS choir teacher Mandy Oliver.
The sharp shift from the contemporary pop style of last year’s spring musical, “Rent,” poses a unique challenge for the student actors, singers and dancers, who range from seventh to twelfth grade.
“The dancing is much harder because it’s all classical ballet,” said ninth-grader Vivi Potee, a dancer in the show.
Even for the older students, many of whom have been involved in the theater program since their first years at PVRS, the show is technically demanding.
Eleventh-grader Emma Worth plays the show’s heroine Christine.
“I love the experience of being able to push my range and stuff,” she said. “It’s a challenge, and I like challenges.”
Starring opposite Worth as the Phantom is 12th-grader Dana McRae, who has been in the theater program since he was in seventh grade.
“We haven’t had many dark and aggressive characters in the past, so I haven’t been this type of character before,” McRae said. “I’m really enjoying it.”
Rose said: “I get full body chills watching the two of them as a director. I’m in awe of what has transpired and the magic that happens.”
“The Phantom of the Opera” is at Pioneer Valley Regional School at 6 p.m. today, 7 p.m. Friday and 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday.