The haunting melodies and emotional depth of “The Phantom of the Opera” echoed through Kendall Hall Auditorium recently, as 鶹Ƶ’s Playmasters and the Warehouse Theatre Company (WTC) joined forces to stage Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic musical in a bold summer production.
Directed by YVC drama instructor Ray Pritchard, the show marked the first major partnership between the two organizations since a pre-pandemic staging of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” For Pritchard, the return to the partnership was long overdue.
“I knew I wanted this to be a ‘big’ show,” said Pritchard. “One that people would remember and talk about.”
The production featured a cast and crew spanning a wide age range, with high school students and recent graduates working alongside seasoned theatre professionals.
TOP: YVC and the Warehouse Theatre Company's summer production of "The Phantom of the Opera." ABOVE: Cast members practice their music timings during YVC's drama camp held in late July 2025.
Among the standout performances was 19-year-old Armour Johnson, who portrayed the Phantom. A graduate of West Valley High School, Johnson is in his second year at the University of Washington and has performance in 11 stage productions.
Armour Johnson, left, as The Phantom in YVC and the Warehouse Theatre Company's summer 2025 production.
“I was drawn to this role by the beautiful music,” said Johnson. “I have long loved this character.”
Johnson said the most rewarding part of the experience was working alongside a talented and dedicated team.
“I think audiences were blown away by the vocal agility and stamina of the women in this production,” said Johnson.
“Phantom is not an easy show. The music is extremely challenging and the set and technical elements are huge! Doing this production in only three weeks has meant a lot of planning, flexibility and late nights.
— Ray Pritchard, drama instructor
Each day began with ensemble-building workshops and acting classes, which Pritchard said helped break down barriers between students from different schools and age groups.
The production was mounted in just three weeks, requiring intense planning and long hours.
Beyond the spectacle, the production explored deeper themes of love, isolation and identity.
“The Phantom’s entire persona is a mask,” Pritchard said. “Inside he is truly a lonely individual who wants to be loved. Yes, he does terrible things, but had he actually been cared for as a child ... his life would have been very different.”
Riley Durham as Carlotta Guidicelli in YVC's and the Warehouse Theatre Company's production of "The Phantom of the Opera," in Kendall Hall Auditorium.
For Riley Durham, now in her senior year at West Valley High School, playing Carlotta Giudicelli was a personal and empowering experience.
“I was drawn to this diva not just because of her prima donna ways, but because I saw her hard work and devotion,” said Durham. “She drives from the same love and passion for theater that I have, I only wish to gain even half of her confidence!”
Durham has performed in WTC summer musicals since “Footloose” in 2021 but said “Phantom” was her first opportunity to take a lead role.
“Being able to show off the skills I have learned through years of hard work and dedication has been nothing less than exhilarating, and I can't wait for more!” said Durham.
Music direction was led by YVC instructor and Yakima Symphony Chorusmaster Steven Slusher, who applauded the cast’s vocal strength and dedication. Slusher noted the difficulty of the score, which was performed in its original form without adaptation for younger voices.
“Having sang the Phantom character MANY years ago, I know the challenge of this score and the stress on the voice it takes.”
– Steven Slusher, music instructor
“I was shocked that the musical score was not modified at all for young voices,” Slusher said. “It is the adult score, which is very difficult. After all, it is ‘The Phantom of the Opera,’ which takes operatic voices. We are focusing on using our full, rounded voices.”
Slusher emphasized the rarity of such an accomplishment in youth theatre.
“We are very fortunate to have the talent in our community to sing all parts of this musical, as written,” he said. “The voices of our young cast members are truly remarkable. I’d be proud to have them in one of my chorus’.”
An additional challenge for the young performers was learning to sing with prerecorded accompaniment instead of a live orchestra that would provide more flexibility.
Ray Pritchard, left, reviews the musical score for "The Phantom of the Opera," during a rehearsal in July 2025.
Despite the hurdles, Slusher was impressed by the cast’s preparation and resilience.
“The students were given their music assignments weeks [prior to rehearsals] and came with the score 80-85% learned,” he said. “After two days of rehearsals, I felt very confident that this would be a great production.”
Pritchard echoed that confidence, noting the educational value of the experience.
“Not only was the cast a wide age range but so was the crew,” he said. “The actors received professional training in music from Steven Slusher, and acting workshops led by Alicia Bickley [drama instructor] and myself. Every minute of the day was an educational and mentorship opportunity.”
“Playing this role has meant so much to me, more than even I can understand. I will carry a little piece of Carlotta with me everywhere I go.”
— Riley Durham, student
Riley Durham, left, as Carlotta Guidicelli and Seth Wilson, right, as Ubaldo Piangi in YVC's and the Warehouse Theatre Company's production of "The Phantom of the Opera," held in August 2025.
Eighteen-year-old Seth Wilson, who played the role of Ubaldo Piangi, recently graduated from Eisenhower High School and started his first year at the University of Idaho this fall. He said this role pushed him outside his comfort zone.
“I found that I enjoyed the role a lot more than I expected,” says Wilson. “Piangi is very funny, and I really enjoyed the challenge of singing in his high vocal range, as well as trying to replicate his authentic Italian accent.”
Wilson credited the production with helping him grow as both an actor and vocalist.
“The most rewarding thing about this production has been unlocking a part of my abilities that I wasn't able to get when sticking to the comfortable art of my range,” he said. “I am much more confident in my ability now to sing above the treble staff.”
Photos from "The Phantom of the Opera," performance on Sunday, August 3, 2025.
Other members of the cast included Connor Arvizu (auctioneer), Xander Medina (Monsieur Lefevre), Madison Kenyan (Monsieur Reyer), Christian Sanchez (Monsieur Firmin), Jace Deacon (Monsieur Andre), Marley Goodwin (Madame Giry), Kindle Johnson (Meg Giry), Makadie Miller (Christine Daae) and Jacob Dove (Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny). Members of the chorus ensemble included Cristian Romero-Chavez, Roman Bishop, Adrian Rojas, Everest Johnson, Olivia Snow, Ava Medina, Sabbath Nunez, Shannon Wilmes, Eleanor Peczuh, Elizabeth Packard, Logan Ammerman, Celeste Packard, Juiliana Sutton, Finn Clark and Sienna Patina.
As the final curtain fell, Pritchard expressed hope that this production marks the beginning of a new chapter for summer theatre in the Yakima Valley.
“It is my hope that this is the start of something new in the valley,” Pritchard said. “Maybe not a huge musical every summer but turn it into a series of camps and smaller productions — and maybe every other year do something larger scale.”
Story and photos by Stefanie Menard, AA-DTA ’05, communications consultant.