Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
#1Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/7/23 at 10:27am
Ramin just posted a video to TikTok, FaceTiming with his son looking at his Phantom masks and tells him to keep one out because “he’ll need it”.
Im trying to link the vid but it’s not letting me so if anyone can do it…
defenses
Stand-by Joined: 1/6/23
#4Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/7/23 at 10:50am
I assume it’s something to do with the final show(s). London just announced a new Phantom, and I don’t see why he’d leave Funny Girl for Broadway Phantom, which is closing in two months.
#5Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/7/23 at 10:55am
Jordan Catalano said: "Ramin just posted a video to TikTok, FaceTiming with his son looking at his Phantom masks and tells him to keep one out because “he’ll need it”.
Im trying to link the vid but it’s not letting me so if anyone can do it…"
Aren't all of the leads in Funny Girl contracted through late March or early April though? Although I could see this lead to the "TRUE" final extension announcement through the summer seeing Webber's hand picked favorites from the past 35 years return before the chandelier crashes for the final time on Broadway.
From what I have also heard, the cast has been told nothing about the final performance yet...
#6Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/7/23 at 10:56am
If he’s doing something for the last show, the FINAL one not sold to the public, him making an announcement would seem to mean it’s being filmed for everyone to see (at least that’s how I read that).
As for him leaving “Funny Girl”, it’s not unlikely that he leaves soon, seeing as the show has been open for almost a year now.
defenses
Stand-by Joined: 1/6/23
#7Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/7/23 at 11:02am
bdn223 said: "Although I could see this lead to the "TRUE" final extension announcement through the summer seeing Webber's hand picked favorites from the past 35 years return before the chandelier crashes for the final time on Broadway."
Ramin was never on Broadway, right? I know he’s popular in the US, but I think it would be weird to use him that way in a Broadway celebration. (But I am not the decision maker so it doesn’t really matter.)
#8Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/7/23 at 11:05am
Just checked out the Funny Girl website, and, on the Ticket Concierge, they've added "Lastly, we do not have a final performance date for Ramin Karimloo at this time." I looked at it fairly recently, and I don't remember seeing that before today, but I could be mistaken.
jacobsnchz14
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/13/06
#9Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/7/23 at 11:22am
It could even be something as simple as a curtain call performance after the final show, but closing is way down the road to talk about in Feb.
#10Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/7/23 at 11:40am
Just noticed that Ramin is out of FG from February 23-26. Any chance he'd step in for just 4 performances?
Tag
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/19/05
#11Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/7/23 at 11:40am
jacobsnchz14 said: "It could even be something as simple as a curtain call performance after the final show, but closing is way down the road to talk about in Feb."
This makes the most sense. Also if he were getting a proper run at it, they'd be making him a new mask.
thedrybandit
Leading Actor Joined: 12/10/18
#12Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/7/23 at 11:41am
defenses said: "Ramin was never on Broadway, right? I know he’s popular in the US, but I think it would be weird to use him that way in a Broadway celebration. (But I am not the decision maker so it doesn’t really matter.)"
He never was in the Broadway cast of Phantom, although he did take part in the 25th anniversary post-show celebration at the Majestic. If they asked him to join the cast now (for curtain call, or for a short run) I would assume it would be more as a goodbye to the original production of Phantom, more than the Broadway run specifically.
defenses
Stand-by Joined: 1/6/23
#13Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/7/23 at 11:51am
thedrybandit said: "defenses said: "Ramin was never on Broadway, right? I know he’s popular in the US, but I think it would be weird to use him that way in a Broadway celebration. (But I am not the decision maker so it doesn’t really matter.)"
He never was in the Broadway cast of Phantom, although he did take part in the 25th anniversary post-show celebration at the Majestic. If they asked him to join the cast now (for curtain call, or for a short run) I would assume it would be more as a goodbye to the original production of Phantom, more than the Broadway run specifically."
I forgot he was a part of the 25th anniversary celebration on Broadway. (Although, to me, some of the West End and Broadway 25th anniversary celebrations seemed to be a subtle LND promotion rather than a celebration of the original show.) A celebration of the original production would make a lot of sense! Especially since talk is that the “updated” production will make its way to Broadway eventually.
#14Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/7/23 at 1:45pm
The dates he is out next month are for some concerts he is doing, so those are not Phantom-related.
The Scorpion
Leading Actor Joined: 1/3/07
#15Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/7/23 at 1:48pm
Given that he opened Laurence Connor's Miz on Broadway, I can totally see Cameron and Andrew trying to capitalize on his inbuilt fanbase (reuslting from the 25th DVD) to get him to open the reduced/scaled-down Phantom that seems basically inevitable. That way they will guarantee an audience who (sadly) won't care what has been done to Hal Prince's staging or Maria Bjornson's designs which will go some way to counteract some of the negative reception to the changes.
If they are filming Hal Prince's original (and I can only hope they do), it seems unfair Karimloo gets to play the role again. He's not even the best in the role and he's had his performance filmed already.
#16Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/7/23 at 1:57pm
I hope so.
With his brilliant emotion in the 25th anniversary capture, he made me want to curse the day I did not do all that the phantom asked of me.
Well, I'll be. That bird really did it.
masqphan
Swing Joined: 12/17/10
#17Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/7/23 at 2:24pm
bdn223 said:"Although I could see this lead to the "TRUE" final extension announcement through the summer seeing Webber's hand picked favorites from the past 35 years return before the chandelier crashes for the final time on Broadway.
From what I have also heard, the cast has been told nothing about the final performance yet..."
TRUE final extension? Were you told something from within the production? I had heard that April is indeed the final performances. Did Shuberts change their mind and are allowing another extension? They were adamant before that April was the last extension.
#18Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/7/23 at 3:15pm
That TikTok is really...odd. I honestly don't know what to make of it.
He has no real tie to the Broadway production, aside from a Guest appearance during the encores for the 25th anniversary celebration, so I can't see them bringing him in to perform before the show closes. The current cast already includes several actual alumni who only recently joined the ensemble, ostensibly to snag a few performances in lead roles before the end.
Pressed to conjecture, I'd say this means he's going to do another stint in London in an effort to shore up flagging sales for the non-replica production by bringing in "old crowd favorites" (Earl Carpenter has also recently been recruited for another run there).
The only other possibility that sounds remotely plausible is Mackintosh trying to make similar use of Mr. Karimloo to launch the non-replica production on Broadway. However, it seems extraordinarily unlikely to me that any such plans would already be so far along.
"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene"
- Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage
#19Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/7/23 at 3:18pm
I’d LOVE to see him do it in London - I’m hoping that’s what this actually is teasing.
defenses
Stand-by Joined: 1/6/23
#20Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/7/23 at 3:29pm
A comment on the TikTok says it’s his LND mask. Surprise! LND will be opening at the Majestic Theatre after renovations. 
#21Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/7/23 at 3:33pm
defenses said: "A comment on the TikTok says it’s his LND mask. Surprise! LND will be opening at the Majestic Theatre after renovations. "
If Phantom must close, I'd be delighted to have a run of LND on Broadway.
"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene"
- Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage
pmensky
Broadway Star Joined: 7/18/11
#22Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/7/23 at 3:53pm
Tag said: "jacobsnchz14 said: "It could even be something as simple as a curtain call performance after the final show, but closing is way down the road to talk about in Feb."
This makes the most sense. Also if he were getting a proper run at it, they'd be making him a new mask."
Oh, dear. It’s a prop. He’s just using it to make a video, not because he’s suggesting he would actually use it if he returned to the role.
#23Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/7/23 at 5:05pm
He says get out my Phantom mask, that clearly means he’s playing the role again. I doubt he would go to the west end and leave Broadway because they don’t get paid over there. My feeling is he’s going into Phantom on Broadway to close out the run. Either for a few weeks or perhaps another extension given the strong ticket sales is most likely.
blaxx
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/05
#24Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/7/23 at 5:20pm
Broadway Flash said: "He says get out my Phantom mask, that clearly means he’s playing the role again. I doubt he would go to the west end and leave Broadway because they don’t get paid over there. My feeling is he’s going into Phantom on Broadway to close out the run. Either for a few weeks or perhaps another extension given the strong ticket sales is most likely."
They do it for free? Tough gig!
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
pmensky
Broadway Star Joined: 7/18/11
#25Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/7/23 at 5:31pm
Broadway Flash said: "He says get out my Phantom mask, that clearly means he’s playing the role again. I doubt he would go to the west end and leave Broadway because they don’t get paid over there. My feeling is he’s going into Phantom on Broadway to close out the run. Either for a few weeks or perhaps another extension given the strong ticket sales is most likely."
It could be London. From what I understand, actor salaries are determined by the number of seats in the the theatres in the West End, so yeah, the salaries can be low. However, I don’t think there are salary caps which prevent producers paying actors whatever they want, and considering Ramin is a well-known and liked performer there and that the show’s box office might need a boost, they might offer him enough to make it worth it to them in the long run.
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