Hugh Panaro’s final “Music of the Night.”  Magnificent.

“Masquerade,” Sunday evening, February 1, 2026. Based on the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Phantom of the Opera."

"Lot 667..." - You just stay at the auction for the entirety of the show, bidding on Phantom merch. RUG's most transparent cash grab.

"Crash Out With Carlotta" - The Phantom wants her dead and a nobody chorus girl has taken her place? Unforgivable! You spend Think of Me comforting a fallen diva and talking trash about Christine. More champagne is poured as she invites you to creatively toast her new rival's imminent demise.

"Are You A Dancer?" - Where do you think you're going? Go practice. You are stuck in a ballet fitness class with Madame Giry, Meg, and the rest of the corps de ballet from the end of Angel of Music until you come out the other side at Magical Lasso. Madame Giry will mock you if you came in heels (this is the only reason they warn against wearing heels, by the way). Meg offers moral support while you attempt a temps de cuisse.

"Waiting For Supper" - You wait with Raoul after Little Lotte for Christine to come out of her dressing room. He said he'd give her two minutes. What's going on? Is there an Angel in there? Weird. You wait and wait, and possibly pop open another bottle of champagne while you watch the Vicomte de Chagny spiral. Any minute now. He gives up before Notes. Poor guy.

"Disaster Relief" - Well, someone's gotta mop up Buquet. You spend All I Ask of You helping the managers sort out a few things. Everyone is wondering where Christine is.

"Last Minute Notes" - You miss Masquerade. A very frazzled Red Death pulls you aside and gives you the elevator pitch for Don Juan Triumphant. If he's going to hurl a score at the managers, it better be good. Is it good? Do you like it? Christine heard it once, maybe, or maybe she slept through it? It was hard to remember what she said about it after that unmasking. Is there anything he should change? Mozart wrote the overture the Le Nozze di Figaro the morning it premiered, Don Juan can be adjusted too!

"Don Juan Rehearsal Extended" - You can't just tag along with a distraught soprano and her patron-secret-fiancé to her father's grave. Rude. Besides, the rehearsal is still on. Reyer, Carlotta, and Piangi despair. Carlotta knows she can do a way better job and tries to surprise-understudy-snipe Christine. This is her Think of Me audition moment. Carlotta swoops in to rehearse Point of No Return with Piangi. The cast is not pleased and talk shit about the show as tactfully as possible (we can't have the piano coming back to life now).

How did we get to this point? Who told the composer this show had any merit? Was it you? At least Piangi is doing his best.

"Disaster Relief II" - Hey, didn't you help out with Buquet about a year ago (or was it 45 minutes ago? So hard to tell! Times flies at the Opera Populaire) ? Such good luck you could make it to this cursed performance too! The managers are surprised you came back to the Opera Populaire after what they put you through at Il Muto, but boy are they grateful. They pull you aside to sort out Piangi's remains.

Carlotta's suffering reaches its peak. Saying nasty things about Christine behind her back just doesn't cut it anymore now that Piangi is dead. Vengeance must be sought. Your diva commands. You miss most of Down Once More, but loop into Track Down This Murderer as a member of the mob.

"The Final Bow" commissioned from THE AMAZING @rose-margaritas