Is "Phantom of the Opera" just now entering its prime of popularity?

#1

Is "Phantom of the Opera" just now entering its prime of popularity?

Posted: 10/20/04 at 11:47pm

2004 - plays its 7,000 performance on Broadway
2004 - the motion picture
2005-2006 - becomes the longest running show in Broadway history.
2006 - Las Vegas music video stage spectacular version opens

How long could it go?

#2

re: Is 'Phantom of the Opera' just now entering its prime of popularity?

Posted: 10/20/04 at 11:49pm

I honestly can't see it closing anytime soon, just as long as it doesnt start stunt casting

#3

re: Is 'Phantom of the Opera' just now entering its prime of popularity?

Posted: 10/20/04 at 11:51pm

it'll go downhill if they start stunt casting... this is 1 show where it can't happen unless they REALLY can sing the part... hopefully they'll keep doing what they're doing... i don't want to see this show close!

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::bust a move::

#4

re: Is 'Phantom of the Opera' just now entering its prime of popularity?

Posted: 10/20/04 at 11:51pm

Since its appeal escapes me, I really can't say. But who can resist the romance of a crazy deformed stalker and his young operatic soprano student/lust object? Really, nothing says "romance" to me quite like a murderous middle-aged guy going after jailbait. It's beautiful. I can't imagine why I didn't adore the show the first time I saw it.

#5

re: Is 'Phantom of the Opera' just now entering its prime of popularity?

Posted: 10/20/04 at 11:58pm

You see, this is why I started the Plum Appreciation thread.

#6

re: Is 'Phantom of the Opera' just now entering its prime of popularity?

Posted: 10/21/04 at 12:00am

Dear god, I hope not.

#7

re: Is 'Phantom of the Opera' just now entering its prime of popularity?

Posted: 10/21/04 at 6:26am

This show can't stunt cast period. The roles must be sung as written, and unless you have a trained voice, with operatic range, you won't be able to do it. So I wouldn't worry about "stunt casting".

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"Rap stars will love me..... I get me a posse and shit, aiite."

#8

re: Is 'Phantom of the Opera' just now entering its prime of popularity?

Posted: 10/21/04 at 8:00am

Phantom of the Opera has made a name for itself. I don't think the people care who plays the roles of Christine, the Phantom, Raoul, etc. I don't think it's something you can like just because a "big name celebrity" is in it. You like it (or not) because of the music and the story it tells.

I wouldn't mind however if they did do some stunt casting, and the person who they chose actually did have the ability and talent to play a part in POTO - then I guess you really wouldn't call it stunt casting if it is done correctly.

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"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611

#9

re: Is 'Phantom of the Opera' just now entering its prime of popularity?

Posted: 10/21/04 at 7:49pm

It seems like the show is getting ready for such a huge boost in ticket sales when it doesn't even need it really. I think it could run for another 10 years possibly and I'm not joking.

#10

re: Is 'Phantom of the Opera' just now entering its prime of popularity?

Posted: 10/21/04 at 7:59pm

Plum...You crack me up...even though I happen to like phantom that was the best summary I've heard yet!

#11

re: Is 'Phantom of the Opera' just now entering its prime of popularity?

Posted: 10/21/04 at 8:01pm

hehehe

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"Chicago is it's own incredible theater town right there smack down in the middle of the heartland. What a great city! I can see why Oprah likes to live there!" - Dee Hoty :-D

#12

re: Is 'Phantom of the Opera' just now entering its prime of popularity?

Posted: 10/21/04 at 8:06pm

Speaking of Phantom, look at the cover for the soundtrack. I think it's horrifyingly ugly.

#13

re: Is 'Phantom of the Opera' just now entering its prime of popularity?

Posted: 10/21/04 at 8:08pm

EW!! Looks too 1980's. They should have made it just like the movie poster (black and stuff)

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"They're eating her and then they're going to eat me. OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!" -Troll 2

#14

re: Is 'Phantom of the Opera' just now entering its prime of popularity?

Posted: 10/21/04 at 8:25pm

It looks like the cover of some 1980s B-movie starring Rick Springfield. Horrible. They better change it or I will be pissed.

#15

re: Is 'Phantom of the Opera' just now entering its prime of popularity?

Posted: 10/21/04 at 8:28pm

I just need someone to explain the whole "pink" thing to me.

#16

re: Is 'Phantom of the Opera' just now entering its prime of popularity?

Posted: 10/21/04 at 8:28pm

I love the HIGHLIGHTS version. I wish it would stick with this and just say "Special Edition" on it.

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"They're eating her and then they're going to eat me. OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!" -Troll 2

#17

re: Is 'Phantom of the Opera' just now entering its prime of popularity?

Posted: 10/21/04 at 8:30pm

bronxboundexpress" I don't get the whole "pink" thing either...

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You aren't feeling overwhelmed are you?

#18

re: Is 'Phantom of the Opera' just now entering its prime of popularity?

Posted: 10/21/04 at 8:31pm

So we have to get the highlights version to get the good cover? F*** that s***. The complete edition should have the better cover. You think it wouldn't be hard to just have a nice cover on both.

Updated On: 10/21/04 at 08:31 PM

#19

re: Is 'Phantom of the Opera' just now entering its prime of popularity?

Posted: 10/21/04 at 8:31pm

10 years bronxboundexpress? That is seriously overstating. The show has been making about half to 60% of it's full potential. It's been on thin ice for a while. It just started to go up. Ten more years is very drastic.

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"Sing the words, Patti!!!!" Stephen Sondheim to Patti LuPone.

#20

re: Is 'Phantom of the Opera' just now entering its prime of popularity?

Posted: 10/21/04 at 8:32pm

Well, I'm taking into account thae things I mentioned in the first post. I'm not talking about right now. There will be a huge boost in sales this december with all the publicity.

#21

re: Is 'Phantom of the Opera' just now entering its prime of popularity?

Posted: 10/21/04 at 8:39pm

True.

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"Sing the words, Patti!!!!" Stephen Sondheim to Patti LuPone.

#22

re: Is 'Phantom of the Opera' just now entering its prime of popularity?

Posted: 10/21/04 at 11:03pm

That's right.

#23

re: Is 'Phantom of the Opera' just now entering its prime of popularity?

Posted: 10/21/04 at 11:13pm

Well, we're assuming the movie will be a success. I actually think it will succeed- despite the fact that I hate Phantom, I understand it has a great deal of appeal to others for some unfathomable reason. But I wouldn't start making predictions about a huge movie-based boost to ticket sales until the movie actually comes out. Take it one step at a time.

#24

re: Is 'Phantom of the Opera' just now entering its prime of popularity?

Posted: 10/21/04 at 11:15pm

See what I think is that no matter how good the movie is or what its reviews are, the simple fact that it's there is going to raise awareness fo the show and at least boost the broadway tickets sales even a little. I think the odds are good the same that happened with CHICAGO will happen with PHANTOM. know what I mean?

#25

re: Is 'Phantom of the Opera' just now entering its prime of popularity?

Posted: 10/22/04 at 12:58am

Yup. I'm just saying that maybe talking about 10 more years is a bit much. I doubt Chicago will run half that long. Even tourists run out eventually. :)