Eight things I learned watching ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ 25th anniversary concert
Eight things I learned watching ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ 25th anniversary concert
robertian2
Swing Joined: 7/8/10
#1Eight things I learned watching ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ 25th anniversary concert
Posted: 3/7/12 at 1:46pm
I'm a closet Phantom fan, and greatly enjoyed the PBS broadcast of the 25th anniversary concert. So much so, that I blogged about it. Check it:
Eight things I learned watching ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ 25th anniversary concert
#2Eight things I learned watching ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ 25th anniversary concert
Posted: 3/7/12 at 2:33pm
*spoilers*
Not that it matters, but they explain the conception in great detail in Love Never Dies. Christine goes back after the events of the first Phantom and she finds where he's hiding and the child is conceived then -- apparently outdoors beneath a moonless sky. Not in act one of POTO.
#2Eight things I learned watching ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ 25th anniversary concert
Posted: 3/7/12 at 4:35pmI know some of the regulars on here hate Phantom and I can sort of understand it. Half the songs use identical chords and the whole thing can be a bit sleepy, dated, and as you write in your article, one dimensional. However, I can't deny that I do get chills down my spine every time the chandelier lights up and the music starts at the end of the prologue. It's been a long time since I've seen Phantom on Broadway (almost 10 happy years), but there's something about it that just feels ingrained as quintessential musical theatre. It's far from my favorite musical and seeing the anniversary concert was enjoyable enough but didn't make me want to go back, but I'll always feel a little place for Phantom in my heart, even if I'd rather pretend it's just not there.
Scratch and claw for every day you're worth!
Make them drag you screaming from life, keep dreaming
You'll live forever here on earth.
#3Eight things I learned watching ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ 25th anniversary concert
Posted: 3/7/12 at 4:51pmI enjoyed reading your blog Robertian. Thanks for sharing.
"The price of love is loss, but still we pay; We love anyway."
PattiLover
Stand-by Joined: 2/20/04
#4Eight things I learned watching ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ 25th anniversary concert
Posted: 3/7/12 at 5:01pmI echo Broadwaydevil's sentiment. I brought my mom to see POTO on Broadway in December. We last saw it in '90 or '91 in Toronto. It was magical seeing it again. The show is thin and fragile and borderline terrible but it really does work...the score, the direction by Hal Prince, the costumes, the set...it all comes together.
#5Eight things I learned watching ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ 25th anniversary concert
Posted: 3/7/12 at 5:18pmI was also dumbfounded when I realized Christine was an Orphan (while watching the 25th anniversary concert).
Formerly: WishingOnlyWounds2 - Broadway Legend - Joined: 9/25/08
#6Eight things I learned watching ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ 25th anniversary concert
Posted: 3/7/12 at 7:47pmWhat a fun read! Thanks so much robertian2, loved your article. I agree that even though Phantom is repetitive, its characters rather flat and more than a little cheesy, there's a undeniable magic about the show. It's great fun, well directed and beautifully crafted (with some pleasant tunes thrown in that you couldn't get out of your brain even if you were lobotomized!). All in all a recipe for a fun time at the theater.
TheatreDiva90016
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
#7Eight things I learned watching ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ 25th anniversary concert
Posted: 3/7/12 at 7:55pm
Cute, but I'm floored people don't know Christine is an orphan!
I mean, there is a whole scene in the cemetary at his grave...
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#8Eight things I learned watching ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ 25th anniversary concert
Posted: 3/7/12 at 8:39pm^Lol...very true.
Scratch and claw for every day you're worth!
Make them drag you screaming from life, keep dreaming
You'll live forever here on earth.
#9Eight things I learned watching ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ 25th anniversary concert
Posted: 3/7/12 at 9:08pm
Good blog post, as usual Robertian, and one that I admit I largely, slightly embarassingly, agree with. I'm not sure if I could handle seeing the Phantom now again in the theatre (I have even less interest in this new tour, if it ever comes to North America, since Prince's direction and Bjornson's designs are a large part of the appeal to me), and I doubt I play the musical, at least all the way through, even once a year anymore--but itmeant a lot to me when I saw the Canadian tour in 1990/91 and I still manage to feel a good bunch of that magic, despite myself, now.
I agree with all of your points, except, as others said, I really can't understand anyone missing the orphan point. It's mentioned clearly in Act I several times and then, yes as others said, there's that whole grave scene... Alsom, I'm more torn on Notes/Prima Donna. It works, theatrically for me, but I think it's let down by the lyrics-0-in their way they are some of the better ones in the show, but, unlike say when Sondheim does counterpoint, with ALW, at least in this number, suddenly you really can't tell at all what each character is singing against each other.
#10Eight things I learned watching ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ 25th anniversary concert
Posted: 3/7/12 at 9:10pm
I also thought the orphan thing was really obvious as well. "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" kind of spelled it out for you.
The only real exposure I've had to Phantom before this was the original book, the original movie, and them movie musical. I used to think "The movie musical isn't really that bad. Emmy Rossum is boring and Gerard Butler's Phantom is miscast but it's got redeeming qualities." But after having watched the 25th Anniversary Concert I've changed my tune.
Say what you will about ALW but Phantom is an excellent show. And Sierra Boggess is really spectacular. Her performance of WYWSHA was breathtaking.
Does anyone with a better ear, or actual knowledge know if Sarah actually sang all of the title song in the end or did they use something pre-recorded for the very end?
"Who says you can't bend over backwards and eat bugs if you want to? I guess the bugs would probably say you can't do that that, but assuming that they are willing and consenting bugs, then there's no problem. Let's wig out eating bugs."
-RuPaul
#11Eight things I learned watching ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ 25th anniversary concert
Posted: 3/7/12 at 9:29pm
No, the end was prerecorded. I DVR'd and just double checked but there's no way that was live. It wasn't so obvious but a woman would shred her vocal chords trying to sustain those notes on a stage live. This is one good example of why Patti Lupone and others have said ALW can't write music for women. The song is absolutely insane and the pitch jumps in every direction.
How do you define "excellent?" I find it very difficult to believe that anyone could think it's flawless.
Scratch and claw for every day you're worth!
Make them drag you screaming from life, keep dreaming
You'll live forever here on earth.
#12Eight things I learned watching ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ 25th anniversary concert
Posted: 3/7/12 at 9:47pm
I didn't say it was flawless.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excellent
My higher opinion of the show may just be from the low expectations I had when I sat down to watch the concert. Since I didn't expect to even sit through the whole thing I was mainly surprised that I was not only able to sit through it but I was thoroughly engaged.
I figured the end was pre-recorded but it was fairly convincing. I kept expecting an obvious change but didn't really hear it until that final note which was just a little too clear compared to the kind of scratchy sounding beginning. Plus that face that Sarah was making while singing those notes was terrifying.
"Who says you can't bend over backwards and eat bugs if you want to? I guess the bugs would probably say you can't do that that, but assuming that they are willing and consenting bugs, then there's no problem. Let's wig out eating bugs."
-RuPaul
redmustang
Broadway Star Joined: 5/14/03
#13Eight things I learned watching ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ 25th anniversary concert
Posted: 3/7/12 at 11:20pmCan we please give La Brightman a break. She's 51 years old, didn't rate a Tony nomination for POTO, had to endure a marriage to ALW for six years, and has to contort that face to hit those high notes. (But those hand gestures do need some explaining)
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