How did James Barbour Do as the New Phantom?

[AHLiebross]

Posted: 2/10/15 at 1:08am

Did anyone see James Barbour's premiere as the Phantom? If so, how did he do? I'll bet his "Music of the Night" was spectacular.

[roadmixer]

Posted: 2/10/15 at 4:16pm

Can someone please answer this question so that we can stop flogging the sensationalist dead horse in the other thread? Someone must have seen the show...?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/10/15 at 4:19pm

No, it's not beyond the realm of possibility that no regular posters saw his first night on.

[Everlast85]

Posted: 2/10/15 at 4:26pm

I saw the show last night not knowing who would be the Phantom (didnt know exactly when Mr. Lewis was leaving) and he was incredible. His voice is crystal clear, powerful, and just gorgeous. He got rapturous applause throughout, and a huge standing ovation at curtain call. He seemed thrilled and thanked the audience several times.

[ebontoyan]

Posted: 2/10/15 at 7:03pm

The boycotters and people against the casting are not going to the show, so of course he will get a good standing O lol. It will be interesting to see how the weekly grosses will look like that finally Barbour is the Phantom. It has been in the 60-70% the last few weeks most likely seasonality. But it will be interesting if there will be a Barbour effect (good or bad) on grosses in the coming weeks!

Updated On: 2/10/15 at 07:03 PM

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 2/10/15 at 8:45pm

im not surprised he's amazing in the part. Im sure all the hate made him work even harder.

[acekatherineplumber2]

Posted: 2/10/15 at 9:19pm

The hate was well deserved, though.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 2/10/15 at 9:39pm

No, it really wasn't though. The idiots who don't know the facts about something that happened 15 years must think so though. I guess they realized it doesn't matter if they protest, no one cares what they think.

Glad he is great in the part, hope the tourists enjoy the show!

[Mike Costa]

Posted: 2/10/15 at 9:45pm

Well said, Sutton Ross.

[Everlast85]

Posted: 2/10/15 at 9:54pm

^ Seconded

[bfreak]

Posted: 2/10/15 at 10:21pm

Yes, while the man has done some bad things in the past I believe that he and many, many others have owned up to their mistakes, regret them, and want to move on without being judged or characterized by those mistakes for the rest of their lives. I hope he does well in the show and in life!

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 2/11/15 at 3:01am

I just heard a recording of his Music of the Night and wow, stunning!

[Auggie27]

Posted: 2/11/15 at 6:42am

I've seen him in three shows. He's a wonderful leading man in musical theater. If he delivers as the Phantom, it's good for him, good for the show. Those who don't want him working wouldn't buy seats anyway.

[ggersten]

Posted: 2/11/15 at 8:24am

I don't think many people doubted he would do a good job as the Phantom. The debate was never about his talent or ability.

And even those who objected to his hiring knew that a protest would be mostly ineffective and that most theatregoers would (1) not know of Barbour's past (2) not care who was performing as the Phantom. The only effective protest would have been for AEA or the cast of Phantom to object to the hiring.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 2/11/15 at 8:35am

So few people have been saying he shouldn't do it. I think it's just that his name is always going to be inexorably linked with what he did, and it's always going to be brought up by someone. Sucks for him, sure, especially because there's a gun to his head keeping him a high-profile job.

[tazber]

Posted: 2/11/15 at 9:54am

I think he would make a great Trunchbull.

Can he legally ever be cast in that role?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/11/15 at 10:00am

He's not a sex offender officially. I'm not sure if there are any stipulations for his interactions with children.

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 2/11/15 at 10:10am

I don't agree at all with what he did, but listening to some audios...

He sounds GREAT in the part.

Updated On: 2/11/15 at 10:10 AM

[sanda]

Posted: 2/11/15 at 11:29am

thank you for the audio tip. Glorious, indeed.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 2/11/15 at 12:07pm

His rendition of "The Proposal" in Jane Eyre (yes, the show during which he did that horrible thing) is notable both for both its tremendous vocal power, but for these lyrics which I actually noticed for the first time:

"And I wash my hands of every youthful crime
Defy them all, God will give me time
And you will lead me blind"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWD2ScycoCI

Oh, the irony.

He's an amazing singer - one of my favorites, despite his trespasses. I wish I could see him as the Phantom.

[SomeOtherMe]

Posted: 2/11/15 at 12:40pm

I don't really know much about James' past, but I will say that his version of "If I Can't Love Her" is the most beautiful I have ever heard.

NOTE: the video says Terrence Man, but it is indeed James.
James Barbour - If I Can't Love Her

[JBroadway]

Posted: 2/11/15 at 12:55pm

"The debate was never about his talent or ability."

True, but some of the anti-Barbour arguers were saying things like "there are plenty of talented people out there, why wouldn't they cast someone who ISN'T a sex offender." The fact that Barbour is proving to be a great choice for the role is significant in understanding the casting decision.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 2/11/15 at 1:19pm

Well he sounds absolutely AMAZING.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 2/11/15 at 2:18pm

Yes. Not a lot of bass-baritones can sing that high. He sounds great - thank God for Tumblr...

[elpielovesblackfish2]

Posted: 2/11/15 at 2:45pm

So wait, what did he do in the past? (Apparently I'm the only one here unaware of what went on)