The Phantom (Ted Keegan) puts the moves on Christine Daaé (Rebecca Pitcher), a promising star at the Paris Opera House.

For a guy who lurks in the shadows of a big performing hall, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has gotten to be pretty well-known. Andrew Lloyd Webber's blockbuster musical had its world premiere in London in October 1986. Fifteen years later -- with 50,000 performances to more than 63 million people in 15 countries and 93 cities, generating a worldwide box office take of over $3 billion -- the show is still going strong, rolling back into Cincinnati for another extended engagement, through Oct. 13. (Its various touring companies were here in 1993 and 1996 for long runs, too.) Ted Keegan is playing the Phantom after holding down the same role on Broadway for a stretch. He has the distinction of singing the role in front of the largest audience ever, when he performed "Music of the Night" during a halftime show at an NBA All-Star Game. No chandeliers -- or scoreboards -- fell that night. Keegan is heading a 36-member company, but bear in mind this show's been touring for a long time, so don't expect any stars you've heard of onstage. Sometimes that's better, because at this point the performers work harder to create an integrated show that's simply good musical theater. By the way, the theater in the Aronoff's big hall was specifically designed to accommodate spectacular shows like Phantom, so you'll get it here with every imaginable special effect. Watch out for that chandelier.
-- Rick Pender

Thursday
Accessible Pop/Rock trio, THE PUSH STARS, return to Jefferson Hall on Thursday, supporting their new album, Opening Time. The Boston-based group is one of the many bands affected by major label politics, as their A&R man at Capitol Records left the company and left the band without much support from the label. But like many bands who have suffered through such misery, The Push Stars left the big guys and have emerged with an independent label album that many are calling their best work so far.

-- Mike Breen

Saturday
It's easy to feel useless in the wake of all that has happened. You can donate blood. You can donate money. Sadly, that's about all most of us can do. But it's possible to give of yourself a little closer to home with OVER-THE-RHINE CLEAN UP. It certainly won't help with the recovery efforts in New York and Washington, but it's a way to overcome the uselessness many of us feel and to take some pride in where we live.
-- Brandon Brady

The RED RIBBON RUN/WALK FOR AIDS isn't your typical exercise-for-a-cause event. Last year studly cowboys handed out water and power bars. Outrageous drag queens threw candy and condoms to the participants. And don't forget the disco music, the massages, the tasty edibles, the balloons, etc. The only thing missing is ... um ... nothing.
-- Brandon Brady

Sunday
Don't worry, Mount Adams has more than just loud-mouthed talk radio hosts scurrying down St. Gregory Street this week: The MOUNT ADAMS STREET A FAIR once again sets up its booths of unique art, photography and jewelry from a host of talented artists across the region. This is one affair you won't want to keep a secret.
-- Jason Gargano

Tuesday
The idea of Miramax Films delaying the release of O, a suspenseful teen-age adaptation of Shakespeare's Othello, seems extra foolish in light of last week's terrorist attacks. A story about high school violence is tame compared to today's newspaper headlines. Mekhi Phifer simmers as Odin James, the film's Othello-like character. Julia Stiles is likable as Odin's girlfriend Desi. But Josh Hartnett's complex performance as Hugo, a character based in Iago, turns out to be the best thing about the riveting O.
-- Steve Ramos

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