I saw Phantom yesterday (for about the 25the time) and was very impressed again at Liz McCartney's performance as Carlotta. I saw her once before and thought the show was much more enjoyable when she was performing. I really enjoy Hugh Panaro as the Phantom---but Liz is (IMO) by far the best Carlotta I've seen. Alot of energy and a wonderful voice.
I haven't seen her yet, but I adored Patricia Phillips in the role and I did see an amazing understudy, Wren Harrington, who was truly impressive. I really liked her performance on every level. That said, I am aware of Ms. McCartney's talent and I'm sure she's very good.
I want to get back there soon and see Trista Moldovan and Hugh Panaro. (I heard Moldovan is very good.)
Hugh is amazing, easily the BEST Erik I have seen live
I REALLLLLY love Liz as Carlotta
As for Trista... I am not a fan But take that from someone who is VERY hard on Christines
"TO LOVE ANOTHER PERSON IS TO SEE THE FACE OF GOD"- LES MISERABLES---
"THERE'S A SPECIAL KIND OF PEOPLE KNOWN AS SHOW PEOPLE... WE'RE BORN EVERY NIGHT AT HALF HOUR CALL!"--- CURTAINS
Eponine--I agree with your source re: Trista. I didn't mention it because I didn't want to appear negative---but (again--IMO), Liz far outshone Trista in most aspects.
I saw Trista last month and she's improved a lot since I saw her on the tour a few years ago. But her acting is still kind of dry and her voice is fine but nothing amazing.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
My apologies---I don't have my playbill and I just checked playbill.com for the name---I definitely saw this actress twice (Michele) and thought she was VERY good!
What also confused me is I never knew that Liz played Carlotta and from what I've seen of her, I never would have guessed that she had that vocal training / range. Pretty amazing!
question.... even though his name Erik is never mentioned in the musical at all... why do people refer to him as Erik instead of the Phantom? just because it's in the novel doesn't mean it's in the musical... just wondering
Personally I dont use Erik, for the sole reason that when it comes to the ALW musical, he has no name. Yes he has in the novel and other versions blah blah blah, but not in this show, so I just dont use it.
Infact I would go as far to say that when people do call him Erik i tend to assume that they are die hard phans, the kind that take the show and storyline way too seriously.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27199361@N08/ Phantom at the Royal Empire Theatre
^^ And I tend to assume people who write what you wrote are rude. I also assume you are a hypocrite, with your avatar and your obvious knowledge of "the show and storyline" and "the novel and other versions".
"TO LOVE ANOTHER PERSON IS TO SEE THE FACE OF GOD"- LES MISERABLES---
"THERE'S A SPECIAL KIND OF PEOPLE KNOWN AS SHOW PEOPLE... WE'RE BORN EVERY NIGHT AT HALF HOUR CALL!"--- CURTAINS
Well I mean the die hard fans who cherish the story and characters as if they were real people, (like the ones involved with LSD and that sort of over the top fanaticsm. I have nothing against that and people can be whatever they want. For me I am a fan of the show, as it is, not as some long lost love story of redemption and all that, but as a theatrical product, theatrical design, piece of music.
but anyways, back to the topic at hand.
I first saw her as Carlotta back in 99 and thought she was excellent and formidable in the role and I loved how she towered above the 2 managers physically and vocally.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27199361@N08/ Phantom at the Royal Empire Theatre