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ONLY WHEN I COVER MY EYES - DO PEOPLE RECOGNIZE ME Davis Gaines , who played the main character "Phantom of the Opera" 1937 times , will perform at tonight's Dan Shilon show with two songs from "Masada" If Davis Gaines got one dollar for every good critique written about him over the years , he could retire and live quite comfortably for the rest of his life. The critic who reviewed his new premiere album wrote: "Davis has such a gorgeous and amazing voice, that he can make the Yellow Pages (of the Phone Directory) sound exciting." Gaines doesn't hide his age (I am in my mid-thirties) had his main exposure with Phantom. In 1991 on Broadway, he first portrayed Raoul, Christine's lover. A year later, he was invited to Los Angeles to star as the lead character, Erik, in that production. Since then, he set an international record playing the Phantom 1,937 times in America. Davis landed in Israel this weekend for a 5-day visit. Tonight he will perform on Dan Shilon's program to sing two of the songs from the new musical "Masada," composed by Israeli musician, Shuki Levy. Gaines sings the main role of Eleazar Ben-Yair, leader of the Jewish revolutionaries. In a private conversation, the man called "the best voice on Broadway in the last 30 years" was modest and very nice, lacking the "star ego," and still a bit embarrassed by all the compliments. "I met Shuki Levy as a producer and a businessman, and didn't know he is a composer too" says Gaines. "When I was offered the opportunity to sing the role of Eleazar in the musical, Masada, I happily agreed. It's a wonderful role. If I have the opportunity to play it on stage, too, I will be delighted" Question: Why are you identified more than any other actor with "Phantom?" "I simply did this role more than anyone else and that's definitely the best character I did on stage till today. It was very hard at the beginning, because I have a fear of heights, and Phantom is hanging half of the show from a chandelier that comes down from the ceiling. The fear disappeared in time, but what was really difficult was the heavy makeup and needing to wear a mask during the whole show. I would get applause, but after the show I could walk in the lobby of the theatre without being recognized!" Question: Did you do that? "Once in a while, but only when I covered half of my face, did people believed it was really me!" A year ago Gaines acted in a new musical, "Whistle Down The Wind," composed by Andrew Lloyd-Webber. This musical is based on a movie from 1961. It tells about a group of children who find a weird nomad near their house and believe he is actually Jesus. This musical played a short time in Washington, D.C. It had a supportive audience, but received terrible reviews, and was frozen for "renovations." It is anticipated that it will be mounted again in 1998 in London. About Webber, Gaines says, "He is very professional with very high standards. On the other hand, he is like a child in his enthusiasm with what he sees.". Question: Will you do "Phantom" again ? "I don't think so, but who knows -- they want to make a movie with John Travolta! He is a nice guy, but it's hard for me to believe that a Hollywood star will agree to play a role where he is hiding behind a mask! IF he will not accept the role, and I am invited -- I won't refuse."