My apology to POTO fans

[redmustang]

Posted: 8/9/04 at 8:57pm

Too many times in the past I have posted about my negative responses to POTO. Had seen it twice, once in Toronto, then years later I gave it another chance in Cleveland. Both times, just didn't like it. Can't even say why. Just could never get into this show that the majority of the world loved. This summer, on a visit to NY, I had an extra show date open, and I thought, "Do I dare try a third time?" My lover Max (who had never seen it) said, "Let's see it." We did. Must apologize for all the awful things I ever said about this show. It was like I was seeing it for the first time. And I think it was because of the great voices in the NY cast. I was mesmerized! So glad I gave it another try. PS: Max loved it too.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 8/9/04 at 8:58pm

It must have been the presence of your lover, Max, that made the difference.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 8/9/04 at 8:59pm

YAY. Welcome to the dark side., red.

[Phantess]

Posted: 8/9/04 at 9:26pm

Well you probably saw the spectacular cast. Hugh Panaro is AMAZING!!! and if you saw Julie Hanson, then you had a beyond amazing experience.

I'm glad your mind changed.

[zepka102]

Posted: 8/9/04 at 9:56pm

yay! welcome to the crowd... just had to give it another chance... can't go wrong with this cast!

my mom was the same way... she saw it once and didnt care for it... this time she paid attention (and sat closer too) and she definitely appreciates it more... loves it like me, no.. but i know she liked it better this time around!

[bronxboundexpress]

Posted: 8/10/04 at 12:12am

Survival stories like this just make me want to melt! You have seen the light.

[NuggetMonkeys]

Posted: 8/10/04 at 12:16am

I still hate the show.
-d.b.j-

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 8/10/04 at 12:19am

go back to the force Luke Skywalker. This is a rejoicing time for the Dark Side.

[bronxboundexpress]

Posted: 8/10/04 at 12:45am

Let us all rejoice in the name of PHANTOM! It's the longest running show in Broadway history!!!(next year) lol I for one am thrilled about the music video version opening in Vegas and the motion picture. PHANTOM may just now be entering its prime of popularity.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 8/10/04 at 12:48am

To quote Will Farrell in Zoolander, "Am I taking crazy pills here??" I'm the exact opposite of you, redmustang. I saw the show twice before, in NYC and Seattle (w/ Howard McG and Brad L, respectively), and then saw it again in NYC in April (w/ Hugh P, who is still marvelous) and I was totally disappointed in the show! I found the energy was really low, and I didn't really like the Christine. It could also be because I was at a matinee with about every school district in Manhattan which lessened my experience though.

Updated On: 8/10/04 at 12:48 AM

[bronxboundexpress]

Posted: 8/10/04 at 12:49am

Type A's just kidding! He loved it! lol

[Qfan]

Posted: 8/10/04 at 1:00am

actually a year and a half according to playbill.com
as of last week it was 600 performances behind cats(something looks to beat that drek)
as of August 3:
Cats=7485
POTO=6885

[BroadwayMonkey]

Posted: 8/10/04 at 3:22am

I LOVE POTO. As shown on my icon.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 8/10/04 at 9:50am

I think it is visually stunning, but still lacking. The book is not great and the lyrics are sappy at times. The score is way too repetitive introducing only three new songs in the second act. Plus, I could never sympathize with a kidnapper and murderer.

Then after working on the national tour twice and hearing the music every day (not to mention dealing with PACE and Wasser groups), I can't even listen to the CD without feeling nauseous.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 8/10/04 at 11:27am

I agree to an extent with you, Mr. Matt. It is visually stunning, but a lot of the melodies are repetitive. However, those melodies sound great! :) I think I find the plot to be more slow, which is my major gripe. I can't explain it, there's just a lot of scenes that could be trimmed. (i.e. Finding all the letters from the Phantom) I think Masquerade is fantastic though, pacing, costumes, design, music, etc. It gives me shivers every time.

(Am I the only one who thinks in general the second act is superior to the first?)

[KMF_NYC]

Posted: 8/10/04 at 12:07pm

I saw it when it first opened about 100 years ago and left feeling like "OK, what did I do with 2.5 hours" -- sorry it left me cold and flat...

[Mamie]

Posted: 8/10/04 at 6:58pm

WONDERFUL! This is definitely my favorite musical and always because of the New York casts. I've seen it at least 3 times in road tours and was always disappointed. I'm delighted that you've had the chance to see why it's such a long standing hit.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 8/10/04 at 7:05pm

I love the score, but the staging is bleh. "Masquerade" was laughable--I had always heard how cool it was. Then, I watched half the cast (puppets) just stand there. I can't wait for the film and for new productions that re-think it.

It doesn't help that the Broadway cast I saw in 97 was on autopilot.

[BroadwayMonkey]

Posted: 8/10/04 at 9:00pm

Masquerade is cute.......the choreography is stunted, but it's cute. I want to hug it.


But I'm terribly frightened of the movie. I think i'm afraid it's going to be bad.

[Born2cthelightsofbway]

Posted: 8/10/04 at 9:02pm

BroadwayMonkey- Agree to the movie part

[BroadwayMonkey]

Posted: 8/10/04 at 9:03pm

*snorts* My friend's all made because Christine is going to have brown hair.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 8/10/04 at 9:40pm

So? What does that have to do with anything? Sarah Brightman had brown hair.

[kitkatgirl54]

Posted: 8/10/04 at 9:43pm

has there ever been a christine with blonde hair? (or, real hair for that matter? usually it's a wig. - with the exception of sarah brightman, i guess.)

[secret-soul]

Posted: 8/10/04 at 10:09pm

POTO is INCREDIBLE. It has been EVERY time I've seen it and I LOVE it :)Hugh Panaro is INCREDIBLE (so was Jeff Keller, actually, in his prime as the phantom)...oh man, if I go on about this show, we'll be here all night, and I have to get up at 6am.

[bronxboundexpress]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 12:45am

Everybody, just calm down! The movie is going to be great and yes, plenty of the show can be trimmed and will be nicely for the stunt spectacular music video rock version in Vegas in 06 which is fine because it will be a new side and we still have the original version to go back to.