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Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????- Page 4

Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????

Penna2
#75Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/11/23 at 8:37pm

UWS10023 said: "I always wondered why he doesn’t do more television?"

He did two years on a UK series called Holby City. A friend of mine streamed it. No singing - got to show his acting chops as a drug-addicted, heart surgeon. Did some really good work. Problem with a series in the US is his home base is London - that's where his family is. I think his contract on FG was extended and he didn't expect to be here beyond this month. My guess is he's committed through the May extension.

In an old interview, he was asked about doing Phantom again and Mandy said: in London.

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Lot666
#76Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/12/23 at 11:51am

Penna2 said: "UWS10023 said: "I always wondered why he doesn’t do more television?"

Problem with a series in the US is his home base is London - that's where his family is...In an old interview, he was asked about doing Phantom again and Mandy said: in London.
"

I think it's important to keep in mind that Ramin Karimloo's association with Phantom is entirely London-based. He played Raoul and the Phantom at Her Majesty's Theatre, originated the Phantom role in Love Never Dies at the Adelphi Theatre, and shortly after donned the mask again for the Albert Hall 25th anniversary shows. He has never played this character on Broadway.

Karimloo's fame and popularity only really took off when he and Sierra Boggess opened the original London production of Love Never Dies, and it was that run which landed both of them the lead roles at the Albert Hall. Mr. Karimloo was not a widely-recognized leading man until Andrew Lloyd Webber put him in a lushly romantic music video for "Til I hear You Sing", in which he was very carefully groomed and dressed to look like a matinee idol, and that video was screened at the first big press announcement for Love Never Dies. By the time the show officially opened at the Adelphi Theatre, creepy people had begun "shipping" (as the kids call it) Karimloo and Boggess (who had played a silent Christine in the music video), despite the fact that Ramin was married with children.

I would go so far as to say that Mr. Karimloo became something of an overnight sensation because he was the first overtly handsome and relatively young actor to play the character since Gerard Butler was cast in the film version, with the key difference being that Karimloo could sing. Until that point, a large number of people who considered themselves Phantom "phans" (a term that makes me cringe) had seen only Butler and Rossum in the movie, and they wanted those pretty Hollywood actors to play the roles on stage. When Love Never Dies opened, Karimloo and Boggess were both very young and very pretty, and they played the social media game very well. They managed to garner the attention of that swathe of perverse "phans" who could only relate to the story if the age gap between the characters was all-but eliminated and both were played by young and pretty actors of the Butler/Rossum variety. Karimloo and Boggess fit the bill perfectly (and they could sing!), and by the time the Albert Hall anniversary shows took place, the two had become major stage door stars in London.


==> this board is a nest of vipers <==

"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene"
- Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage
Updated On: 2/12/23 at 11:51 AM

defenses
Jordan Catalano Profile Photo
Jordan Catalano
#78Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/12/23 at 6:07pm

This is too much hinting to just be appearing at the curtain call of the final show. 

Penna2
#79Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/12/23 at 6:11pm

Lot666 said: "Penna2 said: "UWS10023 said: "I always wondered why he doesn’t do more television?"

Problem with a series in the US is his home base is London - that's where his family is...In an old interview, he was asked about doing Phantom again and Mandy said: in London.
"

I think it's important to keep in mind that Ramin Karimloo's association with Phantom is entirely London-based. He played Raoul and the Phantom at Her Majesty's Theatre, originated the Phantom role in Love Never Diesat the Adelphi Theatre, and shortly after donned the mask again for the Albert Hall 25th anniversary shows. He has never played this character on Broadway.

Karimloo's fame and popularity only really took off when he and Sierra Boggess opened the original London production of Love Never Dies, and it was that run which landed both of them the lead roles at the Albert Hall. Mr. Karimloo was not a widely-recognized leading man until Andrew Lloyd Webber put him in a lushly romantic music video for "Til I hear You Sing", in which he was very carefully groomed and dressed to look like a matinee idol, and that video was screened at the first big press announcement for Love Never Dies. By the time the show officially opened at the Adelphi Theatre, creepy people had begun "shipping" (as the kids call it) Karimloo and Boggess (who had played a silent Christine in the music video), despite the fact that Ramin was married with children.

I would go so far as to say that Mr. Karimloo became something of an overnight sensation because he was the first overtly handsome and relatively young actor to play the character since Gerard Butler was cast in the film version, with the key difference being that Karimloo could sing. Until that point, a large number of people who considered themselves Phantom"phans" (a term that makes me cringe) had seen only Butler and Rossum in the movie, and they wanted those pretty Hollywood actors to play the roles on stage. When Love Never Diesopened, Karimloo and Boggess were both very young and very pretty, and they played the social media game very well. They managed to garner the attention of that swathe of perverse "phans" who could only relate to the story if the age gap between the characters was all-but eliminated and both were played by young and pretty actors of the Butler/Rossum variety. Karimloo and Boggess fit the bill perfectly (and they could sing!), and by the time the Albert Hall anniversary shows took place, the two had become major stage door stars in London.
"

I'm an unabashed Ramin fan and, yes, he hit his stride when he was hand-picked by ALW and Cammack to be the Phantom they wanted remembered for posterity on video. Cammack has been responsible for a large part of his career - Sunset Blvd. and Miss Saigon in UK and Phantom and LND in the UK and the aforementioned RAH25. Let's not forget Les Mis, which was Broadway and a Tony nomination. 

I think the ALW and Cammack team are going to somehow fit him into the Broadway POTO family - one performance - maybe a simple appearance, like the Broadway 25th anniversary, but that wouldn't be a complete show and somehow that appears to be the direction this is going. Too bad they didn't hire him instead of Ben to begin with, but that's a story for another day or never. There has been talk of an Italy/Greece show in development, but these tweets suggest something more imminent.

There was a comment about his voice not being what it used to be. Hard to tell from FG which doesn't challenge him, nor does the role itself. I've enjoyed his streams during the lockdowns and his voice is a rich, if not richer than it ever was - his lower register is much stronger and his tenor is spot on. He does use the raspy tones for his bluegrass stuff, but he's always done that.

I hope he gets to perform the show on Broadway once and envy those fortunate enough to be able to see it.

Penna2
#80Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/12/23 at 6:12pm

Jordan Catalano said: "This is too much hinting to just be appearing at the curtain call of the final show."

No is my short answer. A longer response is in the next post. :)

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DramaTeach
#81Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/12/23 at 9:08pm

Maybe they’re doing a concert for the 25th like the Les Mis concert that used to play on repeat on PBS?

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GiantsInTheSky2
#82Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/13/23 at 12:15am

DramaTeach said: "Maybe they’re doing a concert for the 25th like the Les Mis concert that used to play on repeat on PBS?"

Well, they’ve already filmed one of those, and the show is now at year 35, which anniversary festivities just happened for.


I am big. It’s the REVIVALS that got small.

broadwayTX
#83Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/13/23 at 2:13am

This is certainly something more than just a curtain call performance. That would be altogether strange to make this big of a deal for that. Plus, I'm sure they'd want any special performances to be a surprise on the day. 

My best guess is the final few weeks he'll be the Phantom on Broadway. At least, that's my hope. There's also that benefit performance that's supposed to occur on April 14th - maybe this has something to do with that? 

My initial concern about this being the start of an announcement for an additional extension of the show seems less likely now as I doubt they'd announce an extension solely through Ramin's casting/his social media pages. And the official Phantom social media accounts haven't been reposting his hints which would be a bit strange if this were to announce an extension. 

Who knows.. the anticipation is killing me, haha. 

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DramaTeach
#84Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/13/23 at 5:36am

GiantsInTheSky2 said: "DramaTeach said: "Maybe they’re doing a concert for the 25th like the Les Mis concert that used to play on repeat on PBS?"

Well, they’ve already filmed one of those, and the show is now at year 35, which anniversary festivities just happened for.
"

Meant 35th 🤦🏻‍♀️

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Lot666
#85Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/13/23 at 9:02am

I'm still not convinced that this has anything to do with Broadway, but if I'm wrong, then my guess is the one-night-only "benefit" performance on Friday, April 14. If I'm not mistaken, there have already been announcements indicating that Ben and Emilie will be the "closing" Phantom and Christine. If that's true, then the only potential variable is the "benefit" performance, about which absolutely no information has been shared to date. I still think the whole idea of having to fit Karimloo into the Broadway production before it closes is ridiculous because he simply has no history there, but if they're working on some charity angle that can be used to rationalize his appearance, then I wouldn't be surprised if they bring in Boggess (who actually played two brief Broadway runs) as well. It would seem odd to me to throw out Crawford and keep Emilie.


==> this board is a nest of vipers <==

"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene"
- Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage

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LesWickedly
#86Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/13/23 at 10:09am

Are we sure that the last video isn't just the conclusion to this "series"? Seems like this all could have been just one big troll to promote his concerts. Hope I'm wrong! 

Penna2
#87Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/14/23 at 6:53pm

LesWickedly said: "Are we sure that the last video isn't just the conclusion to this "series"? Seems like this all could have been just one big troll to promote his concerts. Hope I'm wrong!"

Just watched his podcast The Hang and when asked by the guest if he was doing Phantom, he said "no." There was no discussion beyond that. Could be the kibosh was put on any discussion or he's not doing anything concerned with the closing. The podcast was recorded on 2/13. 

Very disappointing for a lot of people if it was trolling in a lot of ways. 

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Plannietink08
#88Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/14/23 at 7:30pm

defenses said: "Ramin continues to troll us!"

My god, he is fine.


"Charlotte, we're Jewish"

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Jordan Catalano
#89Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/14/23 at 7:38pm

If he said point blank he’s not doing “Phantom”, I’ll let my fantasy continue that he’s doing “Love Never Dies”. (I just REALLY want to hear “Beneath a Moonless Sky” live).

Penna2
#90Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/14/23 at 8:18pm

Jordan Catalano said: "If he said point blank he’s not doing “Phantom”, I’ll let my fantasy continue that he’s doing “Love Never Dies”. (I just REALLY want to hear “Beneath a Moonless Sky” live)."

The biggest takeaway I got was he was not returning to England soon. He was offered a show - Next to Normal and passed on it - he said he wants to stay around here for a while. He knows when he's leaving FG, but not saying when that might be.

Here's the link if anyone is interested. It's a funny chat overall with Andrew Kober.

https://youtu.be/0fCBdXJJCGs

TaffyDavenport Profile Photo
TaffyDavenport
#91Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/14/23 at 8:38pm

FYI, his dates off for the Doctor Zhivago concert in London are April 30 - May 7.

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Jordan Catalano
#92Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/14/23 at 10:44pm

Thanks for the heads up about the “Zhivago” concert! Happy there were some decent seats left!

itsshowtime2
#93Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/15/23 at 4:57pm

I am going to be in London for 5 weeks and have just started planning my shows. I had missed the Zhivago concert when I did my research for what's on while I am there. Happy to find out about it here. Just booked tix in the royal circle.

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TaffyDavenport
#94Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/15/23 at 5:07pm

I'm glad I mentioned the concert in my post, since it looks like a thread was never made about it. I just assumed it was common knowledge.

Jordan Catalano Profile Photo
Jordan Catalano
#95Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/15/23 at 5:09pm

These one-off concerts are really common in London and often, their announcements will get lost in the mix. I wish the would do things like this at City Center or Town Hall.

pmensky
#96Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/15/23 at 5:19pm

Jordan Catalano said: "These one-off concerts are really common in London and often, their announcements will get lost in the mix. I wish the would do things like this at City Center or Town Hall."

Hopefully he will once he leaves FG and before he starts his next show. It was probably easier to take time off from FG to do the stuff he committed to before he decided to extend his run, but they may not be too keen on him taking more time off to do stuff that wasn’t already planned. After his latest podcast, I think he has his eye on Chess for the fall.

Penna2
#97Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/15/23 at 6:54pm

pmensky said: "Jordan Catalano said: "These one-off concerts are really common in London and often, their announcements will get lost in the mix. I wish the would do things like this at City Center or Town Hall."

Hopefully he will once he leaves FG and before he starts his next show. It was probably easier to take time off from FG to do the stuff he committed to before he decided to extend his run, but they may not be too keen on him taking more time off to do stuff that wasn’t already planned. After his latest podcast, I think he has his eye on Chess for the fall.
"

He said he knew when he was leaving FG. I'm sure his agent can work something out. He did say he was staying in NYC, so could be in negotiations. He does love the show and would give him the chance to sing music more suited to his voice.

Updated On: 2/15/23 at 06:54 PM

The Scorpion
#98Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/16/23 at 12:27pm

I may be crucified for this but I genuinely don't get why there is so much interest/affection for Ramin's Phantom. Is it just because of the exposure he got through RAH?

I have seen him from his very early days when no-one knew who he was. He was fine as Raoul (the acting was a bit awkward) but I never once bought his Phantom, which I saw multiple times live at Her Majesty's and at the RAH. The weird constant breaths he was taking to get through the singing were distracting (and you can hear them on the RAH recording), and the lack of training showed. The acting wasn't really there, and the Asperger's interpretation was frankly insulting and superficial. I never thought, based on what he said publicly about the show and the role (including some really misjudged comments he made when he was in Love Never Dies), that he really understood the character. Certainly there was none of the deep thinking that clearly went into the character that Michael Crawford had. Now I know that Ramin didn't create the character, but I've spoken to many who've performed the role and a good number had far more insightful things to say about it. To me it just seemed that Ramin was treating the role as a rock gig, not a serious performance.

Also, while many have played the Phantom in their 20s and 30s, Ramin did this but without ageing up in the role. I don't care how old the actor really is, but he needs to give an impression of gravitas and life experience to pull it off. Ramin never did - he came across as a teenager or an early 20s-something, or at best his actual age.

This isn't to say I hate all his performances. I've seen him in plenty of other shows and thought he was fine as Enjolras, and I was surprised by his Joe Gillis in London's most recent Sunset

But I just don't buy his Phantom, and am convinced his popularity is due to his looks (which is rather odd when you think about who he's portraying) and the RAH DVD. And I was there live for that RAH event, and it was painful as far as his performance was concerned. Aside from the breath control issues, he was frequently completely off pitch, and you can tell they autotuned it. My memories were confirmed when I heard the recording they broadcast in cinemas, which isn't the same.

This show has a long history with many credible Phantoms...and IMHO there are many more that come to mind that deserve the kind of adoration that you constantly see in social media comments reserved for him. 

Honestly, I think he just got lucky by being in ALW's sphere at the right time and place. He got the RAH gig as a consolation prize for LND tanking and then his career took off from there.

defenses
#99Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM????
Posted: 2/16/23 at 12:49pm

The Scorpion said: "But I just don't buy his Phantom, and am convinced his popularity is due to his looks (which is rather odd when you think about who he's portraying) and the RAH DVD. And I was there live for that RAH event, and it was painful as far as his performance was concerned. Aside from the breath control issues, he was frequently completely off pitch, and you can tell they autotuned it. My memories were confirmed when I heard the recording they broadcast in cinemas, which isn't the same."

I agree. I think a lot of his fans have only seen the 25th anniversary. I listened to his West End stuff first, and I was surprised by his popularity since I could barely get through the first lair. Then I watched the RAH video, and it was significantly better (I think he toned down a bit). I don't mean to yuck other people's yum, but it's hard to truly judge his Phantom based on one edited performance.


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