A Broadway Phantom better than Hugh Panaro? Come on, is that possible?
A Broadway Phantom better than Hugh Panaro? Come on, is that possible?
phantom phan
Swing Joined: 11/16/04
#0A Broadway Phantom better than Hugh Panaro? Come on, is that possible?
Posted: 1/4/05 at 3:30pm
I personally don't want to think it is, but one of my friends (whose got a decent ear) went to the Broadway show last night and said the guy was awesome. He couldn't remember his name off hand but said it was the guy's premiere performance and that he got a standing ovation.
Could this be true? I wish I had been there because he's never seen Hugh and I've never seen anyone else but Hugh. So, I don't know what to do with this information. I'm happy that this new guy seems to be good because I'd like Hugh's eventual replacement to be good but not QUITE as good as Hugh, if ya know what I mean.
millie_dillmount
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/04
#1re: A Broadway Phantom better than Hugh Panaro? Come on, is that possible?
Posted: 1/4/05 at 3:48pmI've heard a couple of people say that possibly Howard McGillian (sp?) was better than Hugh, but I've heard more say that Hugh was excellent. I saw Hugh in POTO this past June.
"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611
whatyouown223
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/4/05
#2re: A Broadway Phantom better than Hugh Panaro? Come on, is that possible?
Posted: 1/4/05 at 3:53pmJames Romick?
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#3re: A Broadway Phantom better than Hugh Panaro? Come on, is that possible?
Posted: 1/4/05 at 5:24pm
I'm think the Phantom you're talking about is David Gaschen, one of the understudies. I've heard great reviews about him.
As for best Phantom ever...that's rather subjective. I believe that everyone has a favorite Phantom and they connect with.
Mine just happens to be Hugh Panaro too! :)
~Rosalynn
wicked4life51
Broadway Star Joined: 6/20/04
#4re: A Broadway Phantom better than Hugh Panaro? Come on, is that possible?
Posted: 1/4/05 at 5:27pmI saw this phantom his understudy since hugh is out and on vacation and i thought he was amazing, now i never saw hugh but he was pretty amazing and i enjoyed his voice very much
"what? what is it? do i have something in my teeth? ok lets get this over with : no im not seasick,yes ive always been green, and no i didnt chew grass as a child "
#5re: A Broadway Phantom better than Hugh Panaro? Come on, is that possible?
Posted: 1/4/05 at 5:28pmCris Groenendaal.
Amneris
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/16/03
#6re: A Broadway Phantom better than Hugh Panaro? Come on, is that possible?
Posted: 1/4/05 at 5:35pmDavid Gaschen can hold out notes for 6 years. He makes incredible, wonderful , sexy , phantastic and fantastic hugh look weak. ::holds head:: i cant believe i just wrote that. Im a huge hugh fan.. and this guy totally blew me away and this was just in a concert!!
#7re: A Broadway Phantom better than Hugh Panaro? Come on, is that possible?
Posted: 1/4/05 at 5:37pmHI! i just joined and i didnt know where to post! Hello!
#8re: A Broadway Phantom better than Hugh Panaro? Come on, is that possible?
Posted: 1/4/05 at 6:06pm
Monday night's show was SOLD OUT. Not even Standing Room!
Jim Romick has been with The Phantom of the Opera for about 15 years. The first time I saw him as the Phantom was 1999 and he is, without a doubt, my personal favorite.
Jim is one of the 'swings' in POTO and fills in for all the male roles, except for Phangi. It's always fun to watch him portray other characters but his 'Music of the Night' knocks my socks off!
Jim's filling in for the vacationing Hugh Panero through Saturday evening. For those lucky enough to see a performance this week… bring tissues! If you don’t have tears in your eyes when the show is over, you’re tougher than I am.
It's never too late to live happily ever after!
#9re: A Broadway Phantom better than Hugh Panaro? Come on, is that possible?
Posted: 1/4/05 at 6:13pmI have heard.....um......songs from Warlow's turn as the Phantom and I have to say that he is the BEST I have ever heard. Even if I wasn't completely obsessed with him, I would still say that. Blew me away. WOW!!!!
"They're eating her and then they're going to eat me. OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!" -Troll 2
CHLKnCHS
Swing Joined: 5/11/03
#10re: A Broadway Phantom better than Hugh Panaro? Come on, is that possible?
Posted: 1/4/05 at 6:17pm
The Phantom you saw was James Romick who will be performing the role from 1/3 thru 1/8.
He's incredible and does the best final lair scene that I have ever seen any of them do.
He was also the Phantom in the opening segment of Rosie O'Donnel's finale of her TV show about two years back.
Don't miss him if you got a chance to catch it this week.
And he's a nice guy too!
Mary
broadwayguy2001
Swing Joined: 12/16/04
#11re: A Broadway Phantom better than Hugh Panaro? Come on, is that possible?
Posted: 1/4/05 at 6:19pmHoward McGillin gets my vote 0:)
Annabel Lee
Swing Joined: 6/3/03
#12re: A Broadway Phantom better than Hugh Panaro? Come on, is that possible?
Posted: 1/4/05 at 11:12pm
I have just returned from seeing James Romick perform the role of the Phantom in "The Phantom of the Opera" and even though I have seen him well over 100 times, he still leaves me breathless! His voice and his body language are beyond words. I have seen 5 actors do the role and he blows them all out of the water. He belongs in this role as on other actor ever has.
If you can get a ticket this week and see him, you will know what I mean. He will be doing all 8 shows - 1/3 - 1/8. If you go to the Fan Club site, all his performance are posted there as soon as possible.
#13re: A Broadway Phantom better than Hugh Panaro? Come on, is that possible?
Posted: 1/4/05 at 11:17pmwhat is the address to the fan site?
"They're eating her and then they're going to eat me. OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!" -Troll 2
Annabel Lee
Swing Joined: 6/3/03
#14re: A Broadway Phantom better than Hugh Panaro? Come on, is that possible?
Posted: 1/4/05 at 11:25pmjamesromickfanclub@yahoogroups.com
#15re: A Broadway Phantom better than Hugh Panaro? Come on, is that possible?
Posted: 1/5/05 at 12:39amWEE i cant wait till i see the show! which mayu be never cuz its all sold out!!
"It's a great feeling of power to be naked in front of people. We're happy to watch actual incredible graphic violence and gore, but as soon as somebody's naked it seems like the public goes a bit bananas about the whole thing."
millie_dillmount
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/04
#16re: A Broadway Phantom better than Hugh Panaro? Come on, is that possible?
Posted: 1/5/05 at 12:43am
I saw David Gaschen in Bryant Park this past summer...he was great! 
"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611
Belle-arina
Understudy Joined: 9/1/04
#17re: A Broadway Phantom better than Hugh Panaro? Come on, is that possible?
Posted: 1/5/05 at 10:06amCiaran Sheehan is, by far, the best phantom. He actually only played Raoul on Broadway--which also rocked--and The Phantom in Toronto. Jeff Keller was also a good Phantom--which was pleasantly surprising, as he is usually one of teh managers (he played The Phantom during the interim between Mark Jacoby and Davis Gaines). Ciaran has a new CD out where he sings Music of the Night--it's absolutely amazing! (www.ciaransheehan.org)
"No thoughts within her head, but thoughts of joy.....no dreams within her heart but dreams of love."
Lori
Featured Actor Joined: 9/8/03
#18re: A Broadway Phantom better than Hugh Panaro? Come on, is that possible?
Posted: 1/5/05 at 10:18amI saw Hugh and agree he's fantastic. My favorite Phantom however, is John Owen Jones who is finishing up his run in the West End in February. Phenomenal voice and the most passionate portrayal from an acting standpoint that I've seen. If any POTO fans are going to be in London prior to Feb 15th...do yourselves a favor and see him, you won't be disappointed.
"Take Care! When I am thwarted I am very terrible!"
#19re: A Broadway Phantom better than Hugh Panaro? Come on, is that possible?
Posted: 1/6/05 at 11:20am
Was just reading some back post and saw that James Romick was performing this week in POTO.
Just had to get a ticket!
He is wonderful in the role...the final lair scene is stunning!
Genevieve
Genevieve
IF
"A photo is worth a thousand word."...then let my camera do the talking for me!
Chorus Member Joined: 12/31/69
#20re: A Broadway Phantom better than Hugh Panaro? Come on, is that possible?
Posted: 1/6/05 at 12:43pm
Hugh's actually on vacation until Jan. 17th. So for those of you who want to catch the Phantom understudies...go now! I believe that David, James, and John will be rotating to cover the performances. :)
~Rosalynn
#21re: A Broadway Phantom better than Hugh Panaro? Come on, is that possible?
Posted: 1/6/05 at 1:07pmHoward Mcgillin and Cris Groendaal are both amazing. I haven't seen Hugh....actually when I saw it, he was playing Raoul. Weird, huh?
#22re: A Broadway Phantom better than Hugh Panaro? Come on, is that possible?
Posted: 1/6/05 at 1:11pmHugh was Raoul the first time I saw it as well. Mark Jacoby was the Phantom at that time.
#23re: A Broadway Phantom better than Hugh Panaro? Come on, is that possible?
Posted: 1/6/05 at 3:46pm
Speaking of Phantoms, 2 that were mentioned here, will be in concert this Friday in Morristown, NJ.
Craig Schulman's "Three Phantoms in Concert" will play at the Morristown Community Theater, 100 South St. Morristown, NJ on Friday Jan. 7 at 8pm.
Both Cris Groenendaal,and Mark Jacoby will join Craig in this special presentation with solos, duets and trios from famous Bd'w shows and a finale of POTO songs including a Music of the Night arrangement that is stunning.
Anyone within an hour of North Jersey will enjoy this one.
BTW, my favorite Phantoms are Hugh Panero, Brad Little and Kevin Gray (who was recently cast in the West End production of the King and I).
www.pbentertainmentinc.com
BWW regional writer "Philadelphia/South Jersey"
Updated On: 1/6/05 at 03:46 PM
#24re: A Broadway Phantom better than Hugh Panaro? Come on, is that possible?
Posted: 1/6/05 at 4:38pm
Another James Romick website, if anyone's interested:
(yeah it's mine...plug plug plug...)
The Unoffical James Romick Website
Perfect love, perfect sin...there is no perfect anything.
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