lol, whoops, well that's what I get for posting at 2 in the morning.
Oh, and there is a site that lists all the Broadway actors who played the role, in order. https://www.geocities.com/phantomonbroadway/act_prev_cast.htm
Early 1993 was Marc Jacoby, late 1993 was Marcus Lovett. Davis Gaines started in mid 1994.
Hugh was great when I saw him
But the best Phantom ever has to be Michael Crawford. He gave, IMO, one of the best performances in the history of theater. I thought he was a revelation in every way.
John Cudia (He went on as the understudy; Great Raoul though)
I must disagree, I sawe him about 3 years ago when he was understudy for the Phantom and he went on and he was amazing. I really liked him.
Now, as a theatre obsessor, I am sad that I missed Howard McGillan.
Best: Michael Crawford. It was a legendary performance, and I saw him in it twice. I will never forget the impact he had on me and the rest of the audience. It was among the greatest: Mostel in Fiddler, Streisand in Funnny Girl, Channing in Dolly, Merman in Gypsy, and Brynner in The King & I. It doesn't get better than this.
Robert Guillaume: Commanding and impressive... but stiff. He sang it incredibly well though.
Howard McGillin was fine, but not captivating or electric at all. He had already played the role a million times before I saw him in it, but I wasn't terribly impressed. I like Howard, too, just not so much in this.
Gerard Butler wasn't really allowed to BE the Phantom. Instead he was some sort of wet-dream super-hero fantasy of Joel Schumacher's. How could anyone be scary or thrilling presented like a second-rate "Boy Wonder?" I didn't mind his gutteral, untrained singing. It was raw, but truthful. Michael Crawford's voice isn't that great either, but he was so BRILLIANT in the part. I blame Gerard's ineffectiveness entirely on Schumacher.
Worst, by far, is PAUL STANLEY (YIKES!!!) followed by Michael Crawford, and Gerard Butler.
Best, without a doubt, are Peter Karrie, Colm Wilkinson, and Brad Little
Swing Joined: 12/31/69
yes brad little is one of the best! yes i need to learn to let other people have their own opinions, thats why i posted this thread! And kangaroo I dont feel like using punctuation, not that big of a deal!
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