Is Ramin Returning To PHANTOM???? — Page 5

I attended two of the three RAH performances and saw him three times in Love Never Dies, and I can't say I share the above complaints about Mr. Karimloo. I will concede that I've never thought his voice was ideally suited to the role (although I think he was better in Love Never Dies than in Phantom of the Opera); I think he has a very strong voice, but it's a bit too rock-tinged for the character, who I feel should lean toward classical/operatic. However, my primary issue with him as the Phantom is the same as it has been for a number of the actors cast in later years (Josh Piterman and Peter Jöback also come to mind): they're simply too obviously handsome/pretty and even the makeup can't hide it. This is part of my problem with Paul Schaefer playing the role in the Broadway production.

To the best of my recollection, Karimloo launched the trend of casting actors who are too young and/or or too pretty to play a 40-50 year old "repulsive carcass". If the Phantom is handsome, the plot dissolves because there's simply no reason for Christine to be torn between him and Raoul.

That sounds more realistic.

I really don't think Love Never Dies is going to get produced again. Those who wanted to see it saw it, and the Australian production was professionally filmed for anyone who still cares.

I agree that Ramin doing the original Phantom somewhere outside the U.S. (i.e. Japan, maybe even London) after Funny Girl is the only realistic thing that might happen.

GiantsInTheSky2 said: "There are currently OG-replica productions in China, Korea, and Japan - Japan has a final date in Osaka at the end of August. If there’s another stop in that tour, the timing could* work out for Ramon to step in. Not sure why they would want to, though - would people in that region really care about his casting?

The LND world tour has confirmed dates and cities but was 86ed due to the pandemic. Could that be launched again?"

London POTO is already cast for at least the near future. They love Ramin in Japan and Korea, he performs in both countries quite often. He also did a POTO concert in So. Korea a few years back. My guess is he's just putting it out there and there are no set plans for a POTO appearance. I'm sticking to him doing FG until it closes and then going on to Chess with a possible Japan concert later on. Since LND has never been on Broadway, it's still a possibility. The film was awful, as was the tour. If ALW reworked the original London show, sticking with the love story element, I think people would go to see it. Again JMO.

I'll give him this, he's pulling a lot of attention towards himself and, while not away from his current leading lady to any great extent, at least getting some press with her and for himself.

Updated On: 2/20/23 at 04:26 PM

Phillyguy said: "Penna2 said: "GiantsInTheSky2 said: "



I'll give him this, he's pulling a lot of attention towards himself and, while not away from his current leading lady to any great extent, at least getting some press with her and for himself."

It’s hard to pull attention away from the leading lady. She’s the only reason the show exists and arguably the only reason to overpay for the show."

No argument there - just pointing out that he would be hard to replace if he left the show. It would go on with Lea and would have definitely died without her. Just saying the casting is near perfection in terms of chemistry. Tovah is also a welcomed addition. I happen to like seeing the other cast members get some press time, which was not the case with Beanie. 

The PR statement is...weird. "We both agree the original production is a masterpiece" -> "We want to celebrate that" -> "We'll do our own production". OK...

I don't know how you have a "brand new production" of the "glorious design" either.

Nothing against new productions, but this statement is nonsensical.

Updated On: 2/27/23 at 07:13 AM

BJR said: "Makes sense to me. It's a new production, not based on Hal's but inspired by and pays homage to it even, perhaps. Not a total reimagining, but with new additions, such as the aforementioned flaming chandelier with Phantom on it."

For such a short run for a limited audience? Very much doubt it. 

I suspect the production won't really be based on Hal's at all. Better that to be honest than to have the original aped and made worse, which is what happened in London.

Phantom4ever said: "Maybe CamMack is still trying to figure out how to get a good tour of Phantom going again and this is another attempt at a re-staging to tour around the world. I would imagine the current world tour, that has the same proscenium as Maria's but lacking all of her statues and Angel would not be accepted by American audiences at least. They gotta figure out something."

For better or worse this has nothing to do with Cameron - he doesn't produce the show outside English-speaking countries, although exceptionally I note Vienna is (poor them) getting Laurence Connor's production soon. This is a local production with RUG just licensing the rights.

"the production will be the first time The Phantom of the Opera has been staged in Italy."

Is this true? How is that possible??

sbflyfan said: "I think they're just being very self-aware of their situation. We all know the Phantom fanbase is very rabid and protective of the Hal Prince staging. Since they have acquired a high profile performer like Ramin, who's already deeply associated with the original staging, they addressed the elephant in the room head-on. This helps them avoid any speculation about what the production design will look like. It was very eloquently stated, a nice respectful nod towards the original creatives, and now they can move on with their own vision.

But if you remember the video that came out of Seth introducing the new UK Tour in early 2020 (that subsequently became the new West End production), all he talked about was how great the original Hal Prince production was and how the new version elevates it and brings it into modern times blah blah blah. This sounds like more of that kind of nonsense. I get it. Prince and Bjornson are dead. People might want to re-approach the material and figure out another way to do the show. I'm actually quite interested in this and I would seriously consider a trip to Italy this summer to see it.  

 

It's a shame he is leaving.  I saw Funny Girl in December and just saw him on Sunday in Fort Lauderdale.  I was hoping to see him in May in New York with my father but now I think there is a good chance he will be in Italy by then.  

When do people think he is leaving Funny Girl?

220Basswood said: "It's a shame he is leaving. I saw Funny Girl in December and just saw him on Sunday in Fort Lauderdale. I was hoping to see him in May in New York with my father but now I think there is a good chance he will be in Italy by then.

When do people think he is leaving Funny Girl?"

He's probably going to continue with FG through May 28, the current ticket block, I believe, and then go to Italy. Phantom opens there on July 5 - so he would have 5 weeks for rehearsals. If FG is extended, they will get a new Nicky.

In his most recent The Hang with Will Swenson he mentioned he started with FG a year ago with rehearsals - so May would be 15 months. During his recent show in Ft. Lauderdale on 2/26, Seth asked him if he was doing the FG tour - he said NO. The announcement about Phantom in Italy came out on 2/27. Since Phantom is a short term thing - through the summer - I'm hoping he comes back to do Chess.

Um...the first two are usually the same in most people's eyes so...trifecta probably works best.

 

 

Updated On: 3/31/23 at 10:16 AM