"The Phantom of the Opera" officially opens tomorrow and runs through Aug. 30 at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. Recently, David Hansen, the show's advance stage manager, gave me a sneak peek of the incredible construction process that takes place in preparation for such an extravagant show.

"It's a whole different show backstage," says Hansen.

The show travels from venue to venue in 20 48-foot trailers. According to Hansen, it requires 10 days and about 80 people -- 50 of whom are hired locally -- to create the elaborate sets. The largest jobs include hanging and preparing the signature chandelier, which is 1,000 pounds and features 35,000 beads, as well as constructing the black towers and the bridge, called the "travelator," and building 141 candles into the stage floor.

"We're in a crunch right now," says Hansen.

Hansen says because "The Phantom of the Opera" is an older show, it was created with less technology than what's available today. Therefore, even though more and more technology gets added every year, the show remains a mix of people and computer power.

"It's a really cool aspect of this show," he says.

Hansen, who has been on the road with one show or another since 1981, says the behind-the-scene workers pull 16-hour shifts to prepare for the show, working some days from 8 a.m. until midnight.

"But we are all here because we all still love this show," he says.

"Phantom of the Opera" is an Andrew Lloyd Weber musical and the longest running show on Broadway. It tells the story of a disfigured musical genius who becomes obsessed with a beautiful soprano, Christine. The show is based on a French novel by Gaston Leroux, and was made into a film in 2004.

Tickets for the Milwaukee performances range from $20 to $68. Visit the Web site for more information and to buy tickets.