Josh Groban as the Phantom?- Page 2

[Vespertine1228]

Posted: 1/7/07 at 9:36pm

Josh Groban and his weird vibrato are probably not the right fit for any role in Phantom. I don't think his voice could hold up to the role, nor has he so far shown any acting ability or a desire to act. I could always be wrong though.

Plus, Phantom doesn't really need it. It's still inexplicably packing them in. I have no negative feelings about the show, but have we all been extremely busy since 1988? Do we have nothing better to do than go see The Phantom of the Opera? I guess so.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 12:34am

Here's something else that puzzles me. Perhaps you know: Why does he sing so many songs in Italian?

The same reason Il Divo does. It sounds purdier and buys into the "rooommmanteeeke Italian" stereotype.

[Princeton78]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 7:59am

Josh is great, but was way out of his leage at the KCH. He should have been nervous, he barely had the notes, and when he went for them, he had a look on his face that resembled...well....the same look that most of the audience probably had when he hit that clinker.

[AlmondEyes252]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 8:14am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uZX3tSVvJA

Doesn't sound terrible.

"Let you're soul take you where you want to Be" has vibrato out of this universe...
And Idina Eyes.

[JasonM12480]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 8:22am

He was awful on this performance. I thought he had all the emotion of a speedbump. This song should have been performed by a true Broadway singer - I'm sick of this "Let's get a celebrity name to bring in viewers." It's all about the bottom line (dollar) in Hollywood, and it's ridiculous. Regardless, unless you're a tenor, or a lyric baritone with a strong, in tune Ab or A on top, don't touch "Music of the Night".

[sharon1]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 8:38am

I know I shouldn't say this but....I am. I know they were looking for a more mainstream name to perform but, they really should have gone with Crawford or Ball. Performers who can do the song or have performed them on numerouse occasions. Crawford as the original Phantom and Ball in all his concerts. Not to cause an argument just a thought. Groban has a charming voice but I think he lacks, at this time, the endurance for musical theatre.

[AlmondEyes252]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 8:42am

THANK YOU JASONM!

I could not agree with you more.

[JBSinger]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 10:31am

Nope, not the Phantom. Maybe a Raoul, but he's kind of got a weird presence. that puppy-dog thing that the Grobanites love will not work on stage for 2.5 hours. I like Josh's albums, but anytime I've seen him on TV (PBS or whatever), it never sounds as good. There is a lovely quality to his voice and its very expressive, but he is too reliant on "studio magic" to even out his problems. I wish he could find a better teacher to even out his vibrato, but he's probably too busy actually working to study for while to fix his voice. Oh the lure of $$.

[kover22]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 11:52am

Just a quick note to whomever it was that said Josh couldn't hold up the acting end......the kid was in school for theater. He was on Ally McBeal twice and was quite believable. He acts fine....he sings amazingly, he had a bit of a problem hitting a note. Do all of you hit every note every time????????????

[dramaqueen2]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 12:12pm

that was by no means awful, i think you guys are just being dramatic. so relax.
i agree with a previous post, it is obviously not his best performance, but you all KNOW he has a wonderful voice, so stop judging. !

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 1:39pm

Do all of you hit every note every time?

No, but people don't pay to listen to me.

And Groban looks more and more like Chevy Chase the older he gets. Maybe he should be the next Russ Griswold.

[sharon1]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 7:17pm

Nothing wrong with Josh. Just the wrong man for this particular performance. Simple.

[ALWrules]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 7:32pm

I've heard worse. It wasn't that bad other than the Ab, which was horrific. But like others have pointed out, I don't think he could act it like Crawford or Mcgillian have.

[Dibbledl01]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 8:05pm

yes...right...but Ally McBeal is in NOOOO WAYYY SHAPE OR FORM compared to ALW'S Phantom. That role is so diverse and so complicated and soooo stressful there are only certain men who can fit it. I don't question Josh's acting in general, he sells his songs damn well which is why I like him, but he can't do Phantom. He's not right for it. He doesn't look the part, he doesn't fit the part, period. And no, as a singer I do not at all hit every note every time, but that note is not only crucial to the song, OF WHICH THE ACTOR MUST SING IT MORE THAN ONCE IN THE ENTIRE SHOW (Ab's music of.., all i ask..past the point of no return reprise) I question his ability to sing that role for 2 1/2 hours. the score is demanding. his range must go from low eb to high ab for the entire show, not just one song. That's all, no hard feelings, just show business.

p.s. to whoever suggested michael ball be asked to sing at the KCH I LOVE YOU!

[AnaGFan]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 8:16pm

Not up to his usual quality, but not bad either. His voice is just amazing. Needs more practice.

[LostLeander]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 8:35pm

I was more creeped out when Webber started to mouth the words, as if he was giving Groban an evil incantation.

It wasn't terrible. He seemed incredibly nervous. I feel sorry for him, because I know he's extremely talented, and has a much better voice than what was showcased that night.

And besides, he'd only have to sing Music of the Night once, and then they'd just play it 8 times a week while he lip-synched.

Updated On: 1/8/07 at 08:35 PM

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 8:37pm

No

[sharon1]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 8:39pm

Thank you
That was me suggesting Michael Ball or Michael Crawford.

[phantomCA26]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 9:23pm

I thought he was terrible. Where the heck is Michael Crawford or even Ted Keegan when you need em.

[sharon1]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 8:18am

Ya gotta be famous to be on a Kennedy Center show I guess. I thought it was strange that none of the men that had done ALW shows were there. But what do I know.

[D2]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 8:28am

"He doesn't look the part"

No one "looks the part." They are all under so much makeup that any individuality is lost. Unless they are 300 pounds. Then I guess they'd be Piangi. And Lost Leander is right - a lot of Phantom is lip-synched.

[Becky2]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 8:35am

Only the parts where it would be near impossible for them to sing it live. Such as in the title song when the Phantom/Christine doubles are on stage and the actual Phantom/Christine performers are backstage trying to get into the boat.

[sharon1]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 9:43am

Which brings another question to mind. Why hasn't he done Musical Theatre??? I mean there is Phantom, Les Miz, Drowsy, WIW, Chorus Line,and a host of others that require a "juvenile" lead. Just thought I would continue this topic.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 12:47pm

I often wondered that, too. He's a cog that fits right into that wheel.

And, since people are going to ask...
Special effects (including pre-recording) in Phantom

[vbplayer]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 1:25pm

Aww, I like Josh.