A Broadway Phantom better than Hugh Panaro? Come on, is that possible?

[phantom phan]

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]

Posted: 1/4/05 at 3:48pm

I'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.

[whatyouown223]

Posted: 1/4/05 at 3:53pm

James Romick?

[Unknown User]

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]

Posted: 1/4/05 at 5:27pm

I 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

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 1/4/05 at 5:28pm

Cris Groenendaal.

[Amneris]

Posted: 1/4/05 at 5:35pm

David 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!!

[RENT_Fanatic]

Posted: 1/4/05 at 5:37pm

HI! i just joined and i didnt know where to post! Hello!

[CherylA928]

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.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 1/4/05 at 6:13pm

I 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!!!!

[CHLKnCHS]

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]

Posted: 1/4/05 at 6:19pm

Howard McGillin gets my vote 0:)

[Annabel Lee]

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.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 1/4/05 at 11:17pm

what is the address to the fan site?

[Annabel Lee]

Posted: 1/4/05 at 11:25pm

[e-mail]

[SallyBrown]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 12:39am

WEE i cant wait till i see the show! which mayu be never cuz its all sold out!!

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 12:43am

I saw David Gaschen in Bryant Park this past summer...he was great!

[Belle-arina]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 10:06am

Ciaran 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)

[Lori]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 10:18am

I 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.

[gencamera]

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

[Unknown User]

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

[operadiva1979]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 1:07pm

Howard Mcgillin and Cris Groendaal are both amazing. I haven't seen Hugh....actually when I saw it, he was playing Raoul. Weird, huh?

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 1/6/05 at 1:11pm

Hugh was Raoul the first time I saw it as well. Mark Jacoby was the Phantom at that time.

[PB ENT.]

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).

Updated On: 1/6/05 at 03:46 PM

[Kelly]

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