text: what is the theme of "the phantom of the opera"? it is the musical movie based on the hit musical by andrew lloyd webber, the tale tells the story of a disfigured musical genius who haunts the catacombs beneath the paris opera, waging a reign of terror over its occupants. when he falls fatally in love with the lovely christine, the phantom devotes himself to creating a new star for the opera--exerting a strange sense of control over the young soprano as he nurtures her extraordinary talents.