I do agree with you about the ick of it all, especially with it winning the tony like you mentioned. I think musicals have a weird relationship with reality, which can make creepy characters/situations hit different people in different ways. I think phantom/love never dies is a prime example of this.

And I get that this is a forum, but people get replies to their comments sent to their inbox, and it feels weird when I post something and then people disagree as if they aren’t in a discussion with me.