MASQUERADE Previews Thread
#125MASQUERADE Previews Thread
Posted: 11/11/25 at 4:18pm
DELETE
"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene"
- Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage
#126MASQUERADE Previews Thread
Posted: 11/11/25 at 4:19pm
Sutton Ross said: "Why would this show specifically have heating and tents outside for their patrons?What is the difference between this show and any other show you're waiting to enter in the Winter? I'm just curious here."
I'm accustomed to a fairly lengthy arrival window for typical Broadway shows, e.g., 30-45 minutes. This affords some leeway in the event that one is held up due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., traffic, public transportation, or dining delays); you can aim for the "doors open" time, and if you arrive early, you can avail yourself of the lobby, bar, and restroom facilities while waiting for the show to start.
With Masquerade, there is a very narrow entry window. They instruct you to arrive 15 minutes prior to your performance time, and it's my understanding that they won't let you into the venue prior to that time, nor will they admit you if you arrive after that time. Consequently, if you aim for early arrival to minimize the ramifications of any unforeseen delays, you have to wait out in the street. I would normally be inclined to arrive 30-45 minutes early to a show as insurance against refusal of entry for tardiness, but the idea of standing in the snow at night for that length of time is very off-putting to me. YMMV
"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene"
- Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage
#127MASQUERADE Previews Thread
Posted: 11/11/25 at 4:34pm
ChairinMain said: "My question, as we enter the winter months, is if they are going to do anything about the guest entry experience"
I emailed the show about this and received the following response:
"We indeed have preparations and plans in place to ensure that weather does not impact the safety or comfort of our performers, crew, and audience. While we cannot give you specifics at this time, rest assured that no matter the weather, your experience is carefully crafted to be equally enchanting in all seasons."
However, I have a feeling that this refers only to the rooftop vs. indoor route.
"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene"
- Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage
JSquared2
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/23/17
#128MASQUERADE Previews Thread
Posted: 11/11/25 at 5:02pm
Lot666 said: "Sutton Ross said: "Why would this show specifically have heating and tents outside for their patrons?What is the difference between this show and any other show you're waiting to enter in the Winter? I'm just curious here."
I'm accustomed to a fairly lengthy arrival window for typical Broadway shows, e.g., 30-45 minutes. This affords some leeway in the event that one is held up due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., traffic, public transportation, or dining delays); you can aim for the "doors open" time, and if you arrive early, you can avail yourself of the lobby, bar, and restroom facilities while waiting for the show to start.
With Masquerade, there is a very narrow entry window. They instruct you to arrive 15 minutes prior to your performance time, and it'smy understanding that they won't let you into the venue prior to that time, nor will they admit you if you arrive after thattime. Consequently, if you aim for early arrival to minimize the ramifications of any unforeseen delays, you have to wait out in the street. I would normally be inclined to arrive 30-45 minutes early to a show as insurance against refusal of entry for tardiness, but the idea of standing in the snow at night for that length of time is very off-putting to me. YMMV"
So don't go. Not every show has to be tailored for every person.
#129MASQUERADE Previews Thread
Posted: 11/11/25 at 6:00pm
However, I have a feeling that this refers only to the rooftop vs. indoor route."
Yeah, that absolutely refers to just that. I hope you go but if you are uneasy in the cold, this show will be around for years to come (I assume that's the plan?), so if you're cool to wait until next Spring, I'm sure it will still be around.
#130MASQUERADE Previews Thread
Posted: 11/12/25 at 7:44am
Sutton Ross said: "However, I have a feeling that this refers only to the rooftop vs. indoor route."
Yeah, that absolutely refers to just that. I hope you go but if you are uneasy in the cold, this show will be around for years to come (I assume that's the plan?), so if you're cool to wait until next Spring, I'm sure it will still be around."
We've already got tickets for 11/21, so we'll see what happens.
"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene"
- Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage
#131MASQUERADE Previews Thread
Posted: 11/12/25 at 3:10pm
Sutton Ross said: "However, I have a feeling that this refers only to the rooftop vs. indoor route."
Yeah, that absolutely refers to just that."
I wrote back to make a distinction between the performance route and the pre-show queue out in the street, and they replied:
"We do not currently have heated coverings outdoors so we suggest you dress warmly. We will endeavor to get you into the building as quickly as possible. In the case of snow or precipitation of any kind, we do have covered space as well as umbrellas we are happy to loan."
"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene"
- Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage
#132MASQUERADE Previews Thread
Posted: 11/12/25 at 6:30pm
Well, that's nice they will have umbrellas if you are that adverse to real weather, something NYC rarely gets. Put on a warm coat and I hope you enjoy the show. I went for Kyle Scatliffe and was not disappointed!
#133MASQUERADE Previews Thread
Posted: 11/17/25 at 1:59am
So it seems they had 10 tickets for one of the shows and over 300 people showed up ? Crazy
Updated On: 11/17/25 at 01:59 AM#134MASQUERADE Previews Thread
Posted: 11/25/25 at 6:52pm
Did they just accidentally send out show access info to their entire mailing list this afternoon?
heybaby
Chorus Member Joined: 5/2/09
#135MASQUERADE Previews Thread
Posted: 11/25/25 at 8:34pm
Oh, dang it!! At first, I thought someone had secretly gifted me a ticket... but then I figured it must be some sort of mistake.
#136MASQUERADE Previews Thread
Posted: 11/25/25 at 9:27pm
inception said: "Did they just accidentally send out show access info to their entire mailing list this afternoon?"
Yep. Just got the apology mailing list email. I did send them them an email if someone frauded my account or it was some weird mailing.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
MezzA101
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/29/23
#137MASQUERADE Previews Thread
Posted: 1/19/26 at 7:48am
‘Masquerade’ Reimagined ‘Phantom,’ and the Fans Are Flocking
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/19/theater/phantom-of-the-opera-masquerade.html?unlocked_article_code=1.FlA.SKrS.M2JpvfOoCT79&smid=nytcore-android-share
Theatrefanboy1
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/2/15
#138MASQUERADE Previews Thread
Posted: 1/19/26 at 10:04am
Anyone know Hugh Panaros scheduled time? is it still the 7:30 show? Thanks
#139MASQUERADE Previews Thread
Posted: 1/19/26 at 10:23am
I haven't heard that the individual schedules have changed, but perhaps the show's social media account or customer service email would be able to provide a definite answer.
"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene"
- Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage
Jg2019
Swing Joined: 3/28/19
#140MASQUERADE Previews Thread
Posted: 1/19/26 at 11:42am
Theatrefanboy1 said: "Anyone know Hugh Panaros scheduled time? is it still the 7:30 show? Thanks"
I believe so. We had tickets to the 7:30 pulse on Wednesday Jan 14th however we had Christine and Phantom understudies, Tia and Cooprr who were also fantastic
#141MASQUERADE Previews Thread
Posted: 1/21/26 at 10:59am
Theatrefanboy1 said: "Anyone know Hugh Panaros scheduled time? is it still the 7:30 show? Thanks"
Hugh announced yesterday that he is leaving in 2 weeks. And while he was/might still be the 7:30 pulse.... I think we can officially say that trying to pick a pulse based on performers is out the window almost entirely. Between the possibility of understudies, full time performers leaving (Jeff Kready, Anna Zavelson, and Maree Johnson all departed the production this past weekend) without set replacements coming in yet, and recently some pairs have been reported in pulses outside the ones they started in.... I think at this point trying to plan for certain performers has grown very complicated to the point that even fan groups on other sites have started to not permit people asking for who is supposed to be in what pulse incase that's not who they get upon arriving.
carlisle14
Stand-by Joined: 1/2/15
#142MASQUERADE Previews Thread
Posted: 1/21/26 at 11:24am
Scarlet Leigh said: "Theatrefanboy1 said: "Anyone know Hugh Panaros scheduled time? is it still the 7:30 show? Thanks"
Hugh announced yesterday that he is leaving in 2 weeks. And while he was/might still be the 7:30 pulse.... I think we can officially say that trying to pick a pulse based on performers is out the window almost entirely. Between the possibility of understudies, full time performers leaving (Jeff Kready, Anna Zavelson, and Maree Johnson all departed the production this past weekend) without set replacements coming in yet, andrecently some pairs have been reported in pulses outside the ones they started in.... I think at this point trying to plan for certain performers has grown very complicated to the point that even fan groups on other sites have started to not permit people asking for who is supposed to be in what pulse incase that's not who they get upon arriving."
Do we know why so many performers seem to be leaving at the same time?
#143MASQUERADE Previews Thread
Posted: 1/21/26 at 4:04pm
Theatrefanboy1 said: "Anyone know Hugh Panaros scheduled time? is it still the 7:30 show? Thanks"
In this video dated 1/21/26, Hugh confirms that he's doing the 7:30pm pulse (for now).
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Video-Behind-the-Curtain-of-MASQUERADE-with-Hugh-Panaro-Francesca-Mehrotra-20260121
"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene"
- Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage
TellZ
Understudy Joined: 8/4/09
#144MASQUERADE Previews Thread
Posted: 1/21/26 at 10:14pm
carlisle14 said: "Scarlet Leigh said: "Theatrefanboy1 said: "Anyone know Hugh Panaros scheduled time? is it still the 7:30 show? Thanks"
Hugh announced yesterday that he is leaving in 2 weeks. And while he was/might still be the 7:30 pulse.... I think we can officially say that trying to pick a pulse based on performers is out the window almost entirely. Between the possibility of understudies, full time performers leaving (Jeff Kready, Anna Zavelson, and Maree Johnson all departed the production this past weekend) without set replacements coming in yet, andrecently some pairs have been reported in pulses outside the ones they started in.... I think at this point trying to plan for certain performers has grown very complicated to the point that even fan groups on other sites have started to not permit people asking for who is supposed to be in what pulse incase that's not who they get upon arriving."
Do we know why so many performers seem to be leaving at the same time?"
They were probably all offered contracts of similar lengths, and some people may be choosing not to renew (or I suppose, not being offered a renewal but I doubt that's the case). The show is incredible but I can see how it might be exhausting to do 8 times a week indefinitely - those performers are working hard!
#145MASQUERADE Previews Thread
Posted: 1/22/26 at 12:32am
According to a photo from tonight's playbill, it appears the 8:15 pulse will now feature Ryan Vona as the Phantom and Addie Morales as Christine, both new to the production. Liz Pearce has also replaced Maree Johnson as Madame Giry in Pulses 1 and 4. Doesn't seem like they have actually started performances yet, and it seems likely that they will start alongside whoever is replacing Hugh Panaro and Paul Adam Schaefer, both of whom are leaving in two weeks. As the six month contracts are now up, I imagine we will see some other cast changeovers in the coming weeks. This show does not do a great job of publicizing its line up or keeping its website fully up to date, so the fandom (phandom) is really carrying the weight of letting the audience know who is on when.
#146MASQUERADE Previews Thread
Posted: 1/22/26 at 7:39am
ChairinMain said: "Hugh Panaro and Paul Adam Schaefer, both of whom are leaving in two weeks."
I can believe that Hugh Panaro finds this production exhausting, but I'm a bit surprised that Paul Adam Schaefer is leaving (unless he's landed a more prominent role in something else). Paul, like Jeremy Stolle, was a long-time swing at the Majestic; I can pretty much guarantee that Jeremy won't be leaving anytime soon.
"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene"
- Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage
Phantour
Stand-by Joined: 6/5/03
#147MASQUERADE Previews Thread
Posted: 1/22/26 at 8:33am
Lot666 said: "ChairinMain said: "Hugh Panaro and Paul Adam Schaefer, both of whom are leaving in two weeks."
I can believe that Hugh Panaro finds this production exhausting, but I'm a bit surprised that Paul Adam Schaefer is leaving (unless he's landed a more prominent role in something else). Paul, like Jeremy Stolle, was a long-time swing at the Majestic; I can pretty much guaranteethat Jeremy won't be leaving anytime soon."
Maybe it's the role of Raoul. I feel like I heard when he was covering for John Riddle in the final months on Broadway, he was itching to get back to his normal ensemble track. However, being a reimagined production and being in the show for so many years, the reincarnation attracted him to return. Or maybe him and his new wife want to start having a family and he wants to be around home more.
carlisle14
Stand-by Joined: 1/2/15
#148MASQUERADE Previews Thread
Posted: 1/23/26 at 8:23am
Reminder: MASQUERADE! Lotto 666 returns at the February 1st matinee. Join the in-person lottery starting at 11am for a 12pm drawing for $66.60 tickets.
Last lotto was reportedly about 400+ persons for 20 total tickets, which was 11 folks selected ... 9 winners chose 2 tickets and 2 winners were solo.
#149MASQUERADE Previews Thread
Posted: 1/23/26 at 9:02am
carlisle14 said: "Reminder:MASQUERADE! Lotto 666 returns at the February 1st matinee. Join the in-person lottery starting at 11am for a 12pm drawing for $66.60 tickets.
Last lotto was reportedly about 400+ persons for 20 total tickets, which was 11 folks selected ... 9 winners chose 2 tickets and 2 winners were solo."
Move the darn lotto to online please and thank you
Videos






