During the Nov. 30 matinee, the moment the opening notes swept through the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, a familiar thrill returned — the kind only “The Phantom of the Opera” can evoke.

Closing its Minneapolis run on Dec. 7, this 2025 North American tour honors the show’s iconic romance and gothic grandeur while infusing it with fresh, lively momentum.

A visual world that breathes and moves

One of the great triumphs of this production is how visually immersive it is. The creative team leans into the original brilliance of Maria Björnson, whose sets and costumes have defined “Phantom” for decades. Scenic adaptation by Matt Kinley preserves her ornate world — grand staircases, sculpted opera boxes, candlelit stone passages — while giving it a fresh touring polish.

Lighting designers Andrew Bridge and Warren Letton build an atmosphere that feels almost like another character. Shadows ripple across velvet curtains, warm golds soften the most intimate scenes, and dramatic flashes of brightness ignite moments of tension. The lighting doesn’t just illuminate; it breathes with the music.

And the drapes — they deserve their own round of applause. Dramatic, expressive, and beautifully timed, they move like storytellers, revealing and framing scenes with a grace that heightens the drama.

Choreography that feels alive

Though legendary choreographer Gillian Lynne is no longer with us, her unmistakable style lives on. Recreated and adapted by Chrissie Cartwright, the choreography remains elegant, sweeping, and filled with that operatic physicality that makes “Phantom” timeless.

The ensemble moves with intention and unity, yet each performer brings individuality that makes the opera house feel lived-in. Large dance sequences shimmer with color and precision, filling the stage with old-world glamour.

A cast that brings heart to the classic

Isaiah Bailey brings a Phantom who is powerful and wounded in equal measure. His voice fills the theater with authority, but it’s the vulnerability beneath it that anchors his performance.

Jordan Lee Gilbert offers a luminous, heartfelt Christine whose innocence and strength deepen as the story unfolds. Her voice is warm, clear, and emotionally rich.

Daniel Lopez portrays Raoul with tenderness and sincerity, making his devotion feel earned.

The supporting cast shines as well: Midori Marsh is wonderfully comedic and vocally superb as Carlotta; William Thomas Evans and Carrington Vilmont bring charm and wit to the opera managers; and Melo Ludwig gives Meg Giry a quiet grace that enriches every scene she enters.

Stage magic that still feels … magical

What stands out most is the show’s ability to draw the audience into a shared emotional experience. Rather than relying solely on nostalgia, this production embraces intentional storytelling — through lighting, movement, pacing, and energy — that makes each moment feel meaningful.

Throughout the performance, the audience responded with genuine emotion: gentle laughter during lighter moments, audible gasps during surprises, and complete stillness during the most intense scenes. That collective engagement is the unmistakable sign of a powerful production.

The Orpheum: A perfect home for ‘Phantom’

The Orpheum Theatre elevates “Phantom” in ways few venues can. Its gilded architecture, dramatic arches, and historic beauty mirror the show’s elegance and mood. The space almost feels tailor-made for this story.

The acoustics were especially striking — each musical swell felt rich and resonant, allowing Andrew Lloyd Webber’s score to fill the room without overwhelming the cast. Conductor Isaac Hayward led the orchestra with warmth and precision, creating a soundscape that wrapped gently around the audience.

The takeaway

Overall, “The Phantom of the Opera’s” return to Minneapolis was a triumphant spectacle. This production manages to feel fresh and revitalized while honoring everything that made “Phantom” a legend in the first place — the breathtaking visuals, the soaring music, and the poignant story at its core.

I was swept up from the overture, when the chandelier rose above the audience, to the spine-tingling final scenes in the Phantom’s lair. The combination of a talented cast, meticulous direction, and world-class stagecraft made the afternoon “unforgettable.”

If you have the chance to see “The Phantom of the Opera” at the Orpheum — or the next time it comes through — do not miss it. It’s a rare treat to experience a Broadway touring production of this caliber in our historic theater.

As the Phantom might say, “the music of the night” was indeed alive in Minneapolis — and judging by the roaring applause and wide-eyed faces in the crowd, we were all more than happy to surrender to it.

Editor’s note: This is the latest installment of Rachel’s Reviews, where Rachel Engstrom, a contributor to Eden Prairie Local News (EPLN), reviews various aspects of Eden Prairie and beyond. Do you have ideas for reviews? Reach out to Rachel Engstrom at [email protected].

INDIANAPOLIS — Competitive eater Joey Chestnut won a chicken wing-eating contest at Big Ten Fan Fest in downtown Indianapolis on Saturday.

In a post on X, Major League Eating reported that Chestnut won the Ale Emporium Hermanaki Wing Eating Contest by downing a whopping 242 wings in 10 minutes. Chestnut finished in front of Nick Wehry and Miki Sudo. Wehry placed second by eating 187 wings, and Sudo finished third by consuming 144 wings.

Sudo and Wehry came into the contest at No. 5 and No. 6 in Major League Eating’s rankings, respectively. Chestnut was No. 1 before Saturday’s competition began.

“The hardest thing about this contest is, you don’t know if you’re ahead,” Chestnut said in an interview after Saturday’s competition. “In other contests, you can tell if you finish your plate before the next person and you’re moving on. This one, you’re worried. You don’t know if you’re cleaning your bones well enough. You don’t knew where everybody else is at at all. So, you kinda just focus on your plate, don’t panic, and just keep putting it down.”

Saturday’s contest featured a total prize purse of $3,000. Prize payouts were as follows:

• First place — $1,500
• Second place — $750
• Third place — $400
• Fourth place — $200
• Fifth place — $100
• Sixth place — $50.

An eating competition has been held during Big Ten Fan Fests in previous years. St. Elmo Steakhouse used to be the title sponsor of the contest, and competitive eaters used to come from far and wide to engage in a shrimp cocktail-eating contest. This year, Ale Emporium replaced St. Elmo as the contest’s title sponsor, and thus the eatery’s Hermanaki wings were subbed in for shrimp cocktail.

Chestnut is from Westfield, Indiana. He’s won the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest 17 times. Chestnut also broke a popcorn-eating record at an Indiana Rural King in May.

He holds world eating records for Eggo waffles, Hostess Donettes, Twinkies, apple pies, fish tacos, gyros, funnel cakes, corned beef sandwiches, Pizza Hut P’Zones and hot dogs — among other things.

Recap by: allelitewrestling.com

Continental Classic Blue League: Orange Cassidy (3 points) def. Roderick Strong (0 points)

We opened Collision with an interesting battle of associates, as it relates to The Conglomeration, with Orange Cassidy taking on Roderick Strong. Before the match began, Renee Paquette reported that Cassidy admitted he’s dealing with a back injury. Strong took Cassidy down to the mat and eventually worked him into the ropes, where he showed no qualms about the chops Cassidy asked him to refrain from on Dynamite. Cassidy turned it around and controlled Strong with a headlock. Strong tried to fight through with a backbreaker, but Cassidy was able to regain his control almost immediately.

Finally, Strong leveled Cassidy with a chop so hard that it knocked him from the ring. Strong followed him out and laid in a few more chops that echoed throughout GalaxyCon. Strong continued the relentless attack with a backbreaker on the railing! He remained on the hunt with another chop as they returned to the ring, where Strong caught Cassidy with a brutal backbreaker across his knee. Strong continued to work over Cassidy’s back with nine backbreakers! Cassidy found a glimmer of hope with a DDT out of nowhere.

Cassidy locked his hands in his pockets to help avoid the Stronghold and launch Strong to the outside with his feet! Cassidy followed with a dive that connected with Strong. Cassidy ran Strong into three turnbuckles from the apron but was caught from the top rope when Strong hit a powerslam. Strong blocked a Stundog Millionaire, so Cassidy got a crucifix for a two-count. Cassidy nailed a springboard tornado DDT from the apron and went to the top. Still, Strong met him there, and the two jockeyed for position until Cassidy back-elbowed Strong into a precarious position straddling the middle rope the hard way.

Cassidy came off the top with an elbow, and Strong found a way to kick out at two. Strong avoided an Orange Punch and nailed End of Heartache! He stacked up Cassidy, who escaped in the nick of time to keep the match alive. Strong held onto Cassidy’s legs, but Cassidy turned it into a nearfall! Cassidy came back with a Stundog Millionaire, but Strong was ready for the Orange Punch again by lifting Cassidy onto his shoulders. However, Cassidy escaped on the way down and crossed Strong’s legs to trap him in a pin that earned him the three count and his first three points! What a finish!

Jack Perry to Replace the Injured Darby Allin in the Continental Classic

Tony Schiavone provided a significant update on the Continental Classic with the news that Darby Allin has not been cleared to continue in the tournament and will be replaced in the Gold League by “Jungle” Jack Perry. After the announcement, Allin addressed the situation and admitted the Death Riders might be winning the war because they are out there every week, and he’s out. He said he was scared in the ring for the first time in his life last week against Kevin Knight because his legs gave out and he was rushed to the hospital. He knows why he wasn’t medically cleared, but has never seen eye-to-eye with Perry, although if it’s Perry taking his spot, “Go on and win the whole f****** thing! I hope you do! As for Darby…I don’t…know.”

Bang Bang Gang wants FTR for the AEW Tag Team Titles in the UK!

“Tonight is the greatest night of my life! Why? Because FTR are the AEW World Tag Team Champions!”

That familiar refrain from Stokely was shouted down by Columbus with some language that isn’t suitable for the holiday season.

Stokely said there was no more fun and games because FTR wanted Austin Gunn and Juice Robinson in the ring right now! Bang Bang Gang wasted no time marching to the ring with Columbus serenading them with “GUNS UP!” chants.

Wheeler cut that off and admitted that Gunn and Robinson were the last team to beat them, but that will be the last time that happens. He said their most significant achievements are being “Billy’s son” and “Mr. Toni Storm.” Harwood took over and said FTR being in the ring with them makes them relevant. However, he was embarrassed that Gunn touched his belt last week, and the only reason they haven’t fought was that he knows FTR would beat them. So he’ll do them a favor and let them touch the belt this week – only to fake out Gunn with a “too slow”!

Gunn said he’s the son of a Hall of Famer, and Juice is the son of a carpenter; meanwhile, Cash is the son of his first cousin, and Dax is just a son of a bitch! Gunn said they were just avoiding putting the titles on the line against the last team to beat them. Robinson followed up by reminding everyone that they had recently won $200K and could buy all the belts they wanted, but he had one of those, and it holds up his pants. He wants those titles. They aren’t out here to touch those titles, because the next time they touch those titles, it will be when the referee hands them over after they beat their ass in the United Kingdom.

“And if you’re not down with that, we got two words for ya…AND NEW!”

The Death Riders Have Plenty to Say to TNT Champion Mark Briscoe

Marina Shafir, Wheeler Yuta, and Daniel Garcia were somewhere in the building and had plenty to say to TNT Champion Mark Briscoe. Shafir asked if he had anyone by his side, like the Death Riders. Yuta took the typical shots at Briscoe’s appearance, but it was Garcia who called Briscoe stupid for making the challenge to Garcia. Garcia said he’s bringing the TNT Title to the Death Riders.

Continental Classic Blue League: Máscara Dorada (3 points) def. Claudio Castagnoli (6 points)

The leader of the Blue League marched to the ring as we saw a package recapping one of the most newsworthy matches of the Continental Classic, as it was Castagnoli besting Jon Moxley on Dynamite to move to six points and win the battle of the Death Riders.

Castagnoli controlled early by grinding Dorada to the mat with his superior power while avoiding Dorada’s attempts to attack with his speed. A spectacular armdrag sent Castagnoli to the outside, but when Dorada tried to follow, he ran into a rising uppercut! Castagnoli gorilla-pressed Dorada onto the guardrail twice and rolled in the ring to admire his work. Dorada beat the referee’s count, only for Castagnoli to attack once again.

Castagnoli didn’t feel that beating down Dorada was enough, so he started pulling at the mask, but that angered Dorada, who hit some chops and kicks until Castagnoli cut him off with an abbreviated swing. Castagnoli hit a running uppercut in the corner, but couldn’t connect on a second, and Dorada dropped him with a thrust kick. Castagnoli booted Dorada to the mat, but when he tried to grab Dorada, it was reversed with Dorada springing to his feet and then onto Castagnoli’s shoulders! He hopped to the top rope and came back with an amazing armdrag. Dorada picked up the pace with a hurricanrana that sent Castagnoli to the outside, and when he followed with a dive, Castagnoli blocked it and celebrated. Dorada took that chance to return to the ring and hit another dive that turned into an armdrag on the floor. The two traded shots into the steel steps until Dorada sprang to the second rope and swung down for a wristlock takeover to the floor!

Back in the ring, Dorada tried to get a pin, but Castagnoli powered out. Dorada went to the top only to be caught on the way down by Castagnoli, who turned the momentum into a tilt-a-whirl slam for a two count. Dorada ate a huge uppercut but managed to kick out as we heard the 10-minute warning. Dorada nailed a thrust kick, so Castagnoli came back with a massive lariat. Dorada had enough to kick out at two, although both men were showing signs of wear.

Castagnoli punished Dorada in the corner with short uppercuts until he ran into two boots. However, Castagnoli grabbed Dorada on his back and scaled the ropes, but Dorada escaped and stood on the top rope to hit a leaping hurricanrana! Dorada went back to the same corner, and Castagnoli ran to meet on the top rope with an uppercut! Dorada avoided a superplex to send Castagnoli to the mat. He followed with a shooting star press to get the pinfall and earn a huge upset! Dorada is on the board with three points, and Castagnoli suffers his first loss of the Continental Classic!

Tony Schiavone Sits Down with Timeless Love Bombs and the Babes of Wrath

As Tony Schiavone made the introductions of the two teams that will vie to become the first AEW Women’s World Tag Team Champions in the tournament final this Wednesday at Winter is Coming, Mina Shirakawa made sure all four women had glasses of champagne. Schiavone said that when these two teams meet on Wednesday, hearts will be divided, including his.

“Then we should raise a glass! To four bitches with the itches who fight for all the riches!”

“Timeless” Toni Storm explained how her team is more than just a team in the ring. They’ve been through a lot and aren’t just thrown together for this tournament. Willow Nightingale said she supports whatever happens in their personal lives, but that shouldn’t matter when it comes to the ring. She shared the history between her and Harley Cameron, including a match they had on AEW Dark three years ago. They went their own ways after that, and while things haven’t always been perfect, they both operated the same way by smiling and doing what they love. Storm reminded Nightingale and Cameron that she’s beaten them both, and they have never beaten her. Cameron said these babes have wrath, and she’s done more in her first and only three years than Storm or Shirakawa did. Shirakawa jumped in before an argument broke out and said they are here to give everyone a fight to remember.

Schiavone summed it up perfectly, “Well s***, I’ll drink to that!” And everyone raised their glasses to toast!

Swerve Strickland Challenged by Josh Alexander, Attacked by Katsuyori Shibata

Tony Schiavone introduced Swerve Strickland and Prince Nana for their returns to Collision after a three-month absence! Swerve detailed his time away with surgery, rehab, and preparing to come back.

“Three months of turning myself into the biggest, baddest, most dangerous version of Swerve Strickland you’ve ever seen!”

And he’s doing it all for the AEW World Championship. And he knows what it’s like to hold that title because business was straightforward with him.

“I said it. I meant it. And I backed it the hell up.”

He acknowledged that the AEW World Championship sat on the shoulder of Samoa Joe, but every time he tries to come after him, Joe goes running. Swerve wondered if that was because it was Swerve who beat Joe for the AEW World Title the last time Joe had it. And now he has to go through Opps Dojo members to get to Katsuyori Shibata, Powerhouse Hobbs, and even HOOK to get back to his World Championship.

“Joe, you will fall once again to the franchise of AEW, Swerve Strickland. Whose House?”

Swerve said he needed to talk about one more person, “Hangman” Adam Page. He said they may never see eye-to-eye, but no one can doubt that Hangman vs. Swerve is the greatest rivalry in AEW history. And he heard Hangman was looking for someone to battle with him against the Opps.

“So what do you say? How ‘bout Swerve is the one backing you up at Winter is Coming? For one night, and one night only. After that, me and you, Hangman, we’re gonna have to sit down again and have a very, very, very serious conversation.”

All of a sudden, Josh Alexander’s voice was heard yelling, “Enough!”

He said Swerve was just saying lies and half-truths, and he’s certainly not the franchise. And this isn’t Swerve’s house, it’s Don Callis’ House now!

Alexander asked why Swerve was talking about the AEW World Championship and not revenge. It was another Don Callis member, Kazuchika Okada, who injured Swerve’s knee. But he gets that Swerve isn’t coming for revenge since this is Don Callis’ house now. Alexander said Swerve shouldn’t be able to come back in and get a title shot after being away for three months. Alexander ran down everything he’s done and who he’s taken out since Swerve has been gone, including winning $1 million for the Don Callis Family. If anyone deserves a title shot, it’s Alexander! He asked the crowd if it should be him or Swerve. They obviously chanted for Swerve.

Alexander acknowledged they both wanted to fight, but he didn’t think Columbus deserved it. Swerve said they can do it next week in Cardiff at AEW Collision, Winter is Coming. He invited Alexander to come in and fight, but was chopped in the knee by Shibata, who hit the ring out of nowhere with a sneak attack! Swerve was slow to his feet, as Shibata calmly left up the aisle. Alexander said he’d see Swerve next week.

Is Mercedes Moné Starting to Crack?

Lexy Nair was backstage with TBS Champion Mercedes Moné and tried to get the former ROH Women’s World TV Champion to comment on losing that title to Red Velvet last night at ROH Final Battle. Moné was clearly flustered and angered, so she asked for a better question. Nair asked if her recent losses were weighing on her. Moné was still angry and reminded everyone that she’s a global star and still 12 Belts Moné. Leila Grey tried to kick her when she was down last night, and Moné promised to make her pay.

TBS Championship: Mercedes Moné (c) def. Leila Grey

Moné attacked before the bell, immediately sending Grey to the floor. She followed with a sliding dropkick and ran down the apron to hit a meteora, but Grey ducked, so Christopher Daniels ate the pair of knees from Moné instead! Grey nailed Moné with a forearm and then put her down with a short dropkick to get a two count. She followed with a neckbreaker for another nearfall. Moné blocked an attack in the corner and slammed Grey into the turnbuckle with a head scissors. Grey missed a bulldog out of the corner, which allowed Moné to hit a Meteora for a two count.

Moné stayed in control until she missed a charge in the corner. Grey fought back with a series of clotheslines and a slingblade. She hit a rising knee on Moné in the corner, but appeared to be showing damage from the match so far. Grey recovered to hit a bulldog, but Moné snatched her in the Moné Maker to get the submission victory. She held on after the bell rang, so Daniels came in to stop it, and she let go. Moné kicked Daniels low and then went to the announce table to steal Tony Schiavone’s headset and proclaim herself the greatest TBS Champion.

Eddie Kingston’s Final Words Ahead of Winter is Coming

Kingston said he’s been dreaming of being a world champion since he was nine years old. Samoa Joe can’t get into Kingston’s head, because Kingston is already in his own head. He yells and screams because he cares. He cares about people going down a path he doesn’t respect. AEW was supposed to be different. You would be rewarded for being the best. And now he’s seeing how Samoa Joe is doing it, and he needs to win the AEW World Championship to show the young guys how it’s supposed to be. The focus on Kingston’s face has never been more apparent.

Triangle of Madness Attack with a Message

We were taken to outside the women’s locker room, where Thekla, Julia Hart and Skye Blue left a pile of bodies with a statement attack. Hart and Blue said, “Sisters of Sin come for the win.” Thekla left with these ominous words, “See you in Cardiff, bitches!”

AEW National Championship: Ricochet (c) def. Ace Austin

Austin immediately saw the issues he had on the outside with Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona but managed to focus up and knock Ricochet to the outside with a dropkick pretty quickly. A frustrated Ricochet grabbed the bell hammer and brought it into the ring, which allowed Liona to trip Austin. Ricochet clobbered Austin from behind and sent him to the outside so he could hit a massive dive in a clearly premeditated attack.

After Ricochet had his way with Austin for the next few minutes, Austin got back into the match by avoiding a dropkick in the corner. Ricochet landed on his head, so Austin found a second wind and focused his efforts on Ricochet’s neck and head. Repeated blows followed a knee lift/Russian leg sweep combo in the corner. Austin avoided Liona on the outside by showing exceptional balance on the ring apron while still hitting a springboard crossbody onto Ricochet. He followed with a Dr. Bomb for a two-count, as Columbus came alive for Austin. Ricochet reversed Austin’s offense into a pin attempt but did some real damage with a shotgun dropgun to the corner. Austin avoided a Spirit Gun and the two traded reversals until they wound up on the top rope, where Austin hit a superplex on Ricochet! Austin slammed Ricochet’s head to the mat with his calves, which nearly won the match in the closest nearfall of the match.

Austin went for The Fold, so Ricochet moved the referee in the way and tried to hit a low blow, but it was blocked. Austin flipped Ricochet head over heels, but Ricochet landed on his feet and nailed Austin with a Spirit Gun, followed by Vertigo to get the pinfall victory and successful defense of the AEW National Championship.

After the match, FTR hit the ring to attack Austin until Juice Robinson and Austin Gunn hit the ring to save their fellow Bang Bang Gang member. Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood tried to attack with the AEW World Tag Team Championships, but Robinson and Gunn avoided it and lit them up with punches! The belts were left in the ring, so Bang Bang Gang threw them out, much to the chagrin of FTR.

Continental Classic Blue League: IWGP World Heavyweight Champion “The Alpha” Konosuke Takeshita (6 points) def. Jon Moxley (3 points) via pinfall

This main event had the entire crowd on their feet, chanting “HOLY S***!” at the bell!

With so much on the line, there was an expected feeling-out process between the two until a clean break turned into a shoving match. They traded shoulder blocks until Takeshita hit a big boot and a leaping clothesline to take Moxley down. Moxley avoided a suplex, but seemed to come down awkwardly on the ankle that Kyle O’Reilly previously injured. While the referee tried to check on Moxley, Takeshita slid to the outside and started slamming the ankle into the ring post. He sat Mox in a chair and slammed the ankle into the guardrail! Moxley tried to walk it off, but collapsed into the ring steps. Takeshita threw Moxley back in the ring, where Moxley fell yet again. Takeshita got Mox back to his feet, twisted his ankle, and sent Moxley down in significant pain.

The ankle remained the point of emphasis for Takeshita for the next few minutes, including a simple kick in the corner that cut off a brief moment of comeback for Moxley. Takeshita trapped Moxley’s ankle in the ropes, but Moxley escaped and nailed a charging Takeshita with a forearm. The two fought on the apron, where Moxley kicked Takeshita in the ankle and followed with a stomp off the corner of the ring to Takeshita’s head!

Back in the ring, Moxley hit a side suplex, so Takeshita came back with a German suplex! Both men got back up and met clotheslines that sent them crashing back to the mat. After getting to their feet at the 10-minute warning, they traded blows until they held each other up. Moxley took the advantage back with a lariat that turned Takeshita inside out!

The two traded reversals until Moxley turned a cross armbar into an ankle lock on Takeshita! The IWGP World Heavyweight Champions made it to the ropes to break the hold, so Moxley stomped on the ankle. On the apron, Takeshita reversed a piledriver into a back body drop, sending Moxley crashing onto the most challenging part of the ring!

When Takeshita tried to get back in the ring, he collapsed from his own ankle pain. Moxley got back in only to be met by a forearm from Takeshita! Takeshita shook off the pain and flipped over the top onto Moxley on the floor! Takeshita wrecked the announce table and then put Moxley through the standing edge with a blue thunder bomb! Takeshita got in the ring looking for the countout, but Moxley made it back in at 9.9! Takeshita was already coming off the top with a splash that landed, but Mox kicked out!

Takeshita tried to charge Mox, but Moxley just collapsed to the mat, only to snatch Takeshita in a pinning predicament that almost won the match! Moxley hit a cutter with five minutes to go and struggled to his feet with the injured ankle. Takeshita dropped his weight onto Moxley’s ankle and then ran right into a big forearm from Moxley. Moxley nailed the Paradigm Shift! 1-2-TAKESHITA GOT HIS FOOT ON THE ROPE! What a match!

Moxley put Takeshita down with everything he had until Takeshita found his fighting spirit and got back up. When Moxley tried to rebound off the ropes, his ankle gave out, so Takeshita floored him with a knee, but Moxley somehow kicked out! Takeshita lowered his kneepad to hit a knee right to Moxley’s face! He picked Moxley back up and dropped him with Raging Fire to get the pinfall victory! He moves to six points and a tie with Castagnoli on top of the Blue League!