PARIS, Jan. 1, 2009
Julie Chen In Paris
Early Show Co-Anchor Visits Paris Opera House; Sees A First: Performance There From "Phantom Of The Opera"
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Play CBS Video Video Julie Chen Goes To Paris For "The Early Show's" Destination Unknown, Julie Chen is surprised with a trip to Paris as she is whisked on a plane to The Grand Hotel, across the street from the Opera Garnier.
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Video Paris, City of Darkness Paris, often called the city of love, has an underground scene that can be frightful with catacombs housing the bones of Paris' graveyard overflow. Julie Chen takes a tour of Paris' darker side.
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Video Historic 'Phantom' Performance The debut performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "All I Ask Of You" from "Phantom Of The Opera" at the Garnier Paris Opera House, featuring Gina Beck and Simon Bailey from the London cast.
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Julie Chen at the Garnier Opera House in Paris (CBS)
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Julie in Paris
It's going to be an exciting few weeks for the co-anchors of The Early Show, as each gets to go on a fabulous trip. But they don't know where they're going -- or when. All they know is they have to show up for work each day with their bags packed, ready to depart at a moment's notice.
It's all part of the continuing series, "Destination Unkown." Each anchor gets a clue from Survivor and Amazing Race host Phil Koeghan about where they're going just before they leave.
First off -- Julie Chen -- who learned on the show Thursday she was headed to -- the City of Lights -- Paris! She was whisked away in mid-show to go overseas, and shared her trip with viewers on Friday, which happened to be Halloween.
Julie visited one of the most beautiful, opulent buildings in the world, the famous Paris Opera House. She not only got a history-laden tour, but treated viewers to a true first -- it's never happened -- a performance in that opera house of a song from the classic musical "Phantom of the Opera" which, of course, is set there.
"Phantom" is a timeless story of romance and heartbreak. It follows a disfigured musical genius obsessed with a beautiful young soprano named Christine. With the love of Raul, the theater's wealthy patron, she hopes to be set free.
Stars of the London production of Andrew Lloyd Weber's "Phantom," Simon Bailey and Gina Beck -- Raoul and Christine -- performed their duet "All I Ask Of You" for Julie and Early Show viewers.
Later in the broadcast, Howard McGillin, who plays the "phantom" in Broadway's current production, performed "Music Of The Night" live on our plaza, as part of our Halloween extravaganza.
Julie also took us with her from when she left the set in New York to when she arrived in Paris. Her entire trip was arranged by Virtuoso. She flew business class via OpenSkies, and EuroPanache assisted with arrangements in Paris. Julie stayed at the magnificent InterContinental Paris Le Grand Hotel.
Other highlights: a fashion show hosted by the legendary host of Paris Mode, Marie Christiane Marek, who discussed John Galliano's latest collection (we had five different outfits, including hats, modeled for us); a report from Julie, special for Halloween, on Paris' dark side; and, to mark Halloween, a look at the history of chocolate and some of the current trends with the treat. Sandra Messier, of the famous Cordon Bleu Cookery School, did the honors, and unveiled -- a chocolate sculpture of the "Phantom of the Opera"!
Want to go to Paris -- on a shoestring? Click here to learn how.
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