Checking in with Phantom- 4/18 2 p.m. show

[Andante]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 1:45am

I was thrilled when my college announced that they were sponsoring a trip to see Phantom on Broadway. I had been wanting to see the show for a fifth time (the last time I went was 2005), to check out the new sound system, and visit some dear friends who are in the ballet chorus.

Unfortunately though, this performance was not one for the ages. There was a sound glitch at the beginning of Act 2 (during the Entre Acte) in which the speakers popped in and out for about 20 seconds. Fortunately, the problem was fixed after that one instance; it did make it painfully obviously that that portion of the show was pre-recorded, however.

Now for actor reviews:

Howard McGillin: He was...good, yet at the same time, not. He definitely has an excellent grasp of the vocals, but his Phantom is very aggressive and at times overly emotional. And what can I say- I'm partial to Hugh Panaro. :)

Marni Raab: Once again, great grasp of vocals, but her voice is extremely mature for the role. This is not a bad thing (her "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" was amazing), but it is nice for storyline purposes.

Tim Martin Gleason: I am in love with this man. His acting skills, voice, looks...*sigh*. Got a chance to congratulate him on his promotion for the tour after the show; he is very pleasant in person.

Patricia Phillips: I have seen her in the role before, and she has increased her talents, in both comedic timing and vocals. Wonderful!

George Lee Andrews/David Cryer: Hysterical, as always!

Rebecca Judd: She was, for me, the true standout in this particular performance. Her range of moods, from serious in Act One's ballet rehearsals to her near-hysterics in her conversation with Raoul in Act Two, was spectacular. Top-notch vocals as well.

Evan Harrington: I was a bit skeptical of him at first; having seen him as Brian in Avenue Q, I though I could never take him in a more-serious, operatic role. To my delight, he excelled, both in comedy and his wonderful, clear voice.

Polly Baird: Did not like her Meg. Either her mic was turned wayyy down, or her harmony was completely off-pitch because the Meg/Christine mini-duet in "Angel of Music" sounded horrible.
*~*~
At the end of the show, Howard made the BC/EFA pitch, and I got the Broadway's Fabulous Phantoms CD, which I have been looking for for quite some time. All in all, a great return trip to the city, despite the mediocre show.

[Rentfan931]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 2:09am

Thanks for the review. Too bad you did not like Phantom this time around.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 2:20am

Since when is the entr'acte pre-recorded? I know parts of the show are, but I've never seen the entr'acte included in that list.

[broadway122]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 11:36am

Does anyone have a list of all the parts that are pre-recorded?

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 12:38pm

I don't, but I know the title song is pre-recorded.

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 12:54pm

The parts that are prerecorded:

The Organ during the Overture has been known to be recorded (at least in some productions).
The Phantom's offstage vocals in "Brava Brava", "Notes/Prima Donna", his laughter, "Why So Silent?" (except for the last lines "Your chains are still mine..."), "Notes 2", before Don Juan Triumphant.
The title song's vocals.
The offstage dialogue between Raoul and the managers before "Il Muto".

There have actually been some Phantoms who opted to sing the entire show live (which I think they should be more than able to)...Peter Karrie (famous for performing the role in London, Toronto, and the Canadian/Asian Tour in the 1990s), often sang the entire show live.

I'm excited about seeing the show again this summer...Jennifer Hope Wills will be back. Hopefully I can figure out a time to see it when McGillin is not on, as I agree with the OP...his Phantom seems too aggressive and angry...

Hugh Panaro was simply the best Phantom I've ever seen.

[DooWahDiddy]

Posted: 4/19/09 at 1:29pm

The Entr'acte is definitely NOT pre-recorded. Why would you think that, just because the speakers were popping? The orchestra uses microphones that come through the speakers just like the actors do.

[Andante]

Posted: 4/20/09 at 9:29am

Hey ya'll, sorry for the late response- college does leave little to no time for the Internet.

I asked an usher after the show what went wrong with the sound glitch. The sound level remained the same during the glitch, and I asked said usher if this part was pre-recorded, and he confirmed it. Maybe he gave me false information, I don't know. Apologies to anyone who was offended by my observation.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 4/20/09 at 11:31am

Pre-recorded parts: http://www.phantomoftheopera.com/modules/article/view.article.php/c7/17