The 'Phantom' Production Has Really Dressed For Success Split-second Changes And Scores Of Costly Period Outfits Make For A Costuming Challenge Of Operatic Proportions.

Since arriving at the Forrest Theatre in February, The Phantom of the Opera has dazzled sold-out audiences with its dramatic special effects, its seemingly millisecond set changes, and its spellbinding story and musical score.

But there hasn't been much ado about the show's 230 costumes, even though they play a critical role in successfully sustaining the illusion of the acclaimed opera-within-an-opera.

The garments for the 36 cast members evoke five time periods, with elaborate designs that cost a small fortune to create and maintain. For example, a $35,000 silk gown worn by Carlotta, the prima donna whose role as the opera's diva is undercut by the Phantom, is so encrusted with jewels it weighs 70 pounds and must be hoisted across the stage. Each time the dress is cleaned, the jewels and trim must be removed and replaced by hand.

"It's a painstaking process," said Michael D. Hannah.

He should know. Hannah, 31, is caretaker of the $1.5 million worth of costumes in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. A native of Dayton, Ohio, he studied costume design at Wright State University and worked at a Dayton costume shop before moving to New York in 1985.

Hannah worked in wardrobe for such Broadway plays as Les Miserables, Starlight Express and 42nd Street, and with the original Tony Award-winning production of Phantom, before becoming the national touring company's wardrobe supervisor in 1990.

Phantom offered special challenges, he said, because there are so many highly contrived period pieces that must be changed so often. While other plays might have more costumes, they often are copies of the same outfit for chorus-girl-type roles, or are not as ornamental.

And the action in this 21/2-hour show requires a string of quick changes - such as when Carlotta must be transformed in 40 seconds: switching from her 18th-century frock into a silk-and-lace gown for her role in one of the mini- operas. It takes four people to help.

Behind the scenes, or should we say behind the seams, is twice the wardrobe staff as for a normal Broadway-scale production - 17 altogether, nine just to do the daily cleaning, pressing and repairing. Others are dressers who must keep track of the hundreds of gloves, hats, tights and other accessories that complete each ensemble.

"You have to be organized for a show like this," said Hannah.

RUNNING THROUGH JULY 25