Norm Lewis Replacement?

[PanaroFan111]

Posted: 1/2/15 at 1:52pm

Any word on who's replacing Mr. Lewis in early Feb, to be the next Phantom?

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 1/2/15 at 8:35pm

I have heard talk about a former phantom who toured a few years back is being considered. Hoping it will be true.

[jkl011]

Posted: 1/2/15 at 11:59pm

I've also heard that there's a former Phantom they've had their eye on even before Norm started. I'm hoping its Gary Mauer!

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 1/3/15 at 6:15pm

"I have heard talk about a former phantom who toured a few years back is being considered. Hoping it will be true."

Tim Martin Gleason?

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 1/3/15 at 8:50pm

Gary Mauer is great, based on the clips I've seen.

Why is Lewis leaving so soon? I know his initial contract was only for like four months and he kept extending, but he's said it's a dream role of his, and I mean, he's playing it on Broadway. What else has he got better goin' on?

[jjohnson5]

Posted: 1/4/15 at 1:15am

I'd be excited about Gary Mauer! I also wouldn't mind if they promote Laird Mackintosh either-I think he's pretty great.

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 1/4/15 at 1:23am

I think it's odd that Norm Lewis is leaving so soon, as well. He hasn't even been with the show for a year yet, and he still won't have by the time he leaves. (And it's not like this is another one of those limited-time-until-Hugh-Panaro-returns situations; I'm pretty sure Panaro is over and done with the show now.)

Also, as much as I'd love for Laird Mackintosh to be promoted, I seriously doubt that would happen as he's too valuable as an understudy/manager.

Updated On: 1/4/15 at 01:23 AM

[AHLiebross]

Posted: 1/4/15 at 1:57am

Many of the recent Phantoms have been on the young side (probably because so many have moved up from playing Raoul). Hugh Panaro was, I think, 48 when he left. Norm Lewis is 51 or 52. Especially the way he plays the role -- putting body and soul into his performance -- it's got to be rather strenuous. As someone pointed out, he signed a short-term contract and then extended a few times.

I'd LOVE to see Tim Martin Gleason or John Cudia return to the role. I've seen each of them on tour, and they're both fantastic. John Cudia is, I think, in his late forties, however -- not so far off from Norm Lewis in terms of age.

I'd also love to see Sean MacLaughlin (spelling?) or Kyle Barasich get a shot at the role. They were great as Raoul and have beautiful singing voices. To me they also have the right body types -- tall and lean.

[imeldasturn]

Posted: 1/4/15 at 6:08am

I'd love Gary Mauer or John Cudia to return to the show. And despite he won't probably ever do it, I'd really like Brian Stokes Mitchell to play the Phantom!

[MoDance0934]

Posted: 1/4/15 at 5:37pm

Norm probably has other projects coming up. I'm pretty sure he's going to come back to the show at some point. He's a famous actor and a lot of directors probably want him for their projects. Not every actor is going to stay with a show forever.

[little_sally]

Posted: 1/4/15 at 6:05pm

I'd love to see Ryan Silverman play the role.

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 1/7/15 at 11:29pm

Apparently people are saying that the next guy is new to the show and "someone whom Phans will be pleased with."

At least that means it won't be Cooper Grodin.

[little_sally]

Posted: 1/8/15 at 11:17am

Glad they're going with someone new and not recycling the same guys over and over again. I think both Hugh Panaro and Howard McGillan are great, but I was tired of their Phantoms after awhile.

[Justin D]

Posted: 1/8/15 at 1:34pm

lol at that Cooper comment,

but recently 'watching' the new tour, I thought Mr. Jacoby should look to follow his father's footsetps, he sounds like he would 'sound' alot like Howard McGillin. Not too thrilled about Gary Mauer either tbh, much prefer someone new, since my all time favourite Phantom is way too old now to come back

[NOB88]

Posted: 1/8/15 at 2:35pm

So are you saying Cooper Grodin is not good? Have not seen the tour.

[phan24]

Posted: 1/8/15 at 3:44pm

Cooper Groding was a subpar Phantom when I saw it on tour, he has an average voice and his acting didn't impress me either, I doubt they'd make him the Broadway phantom.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 1/8/15 at 9:12pm

Norm has always spent a measure of time on the West Coast, where he is also very popular in other entertainment industries that might attract him. I'm hoping to hear who's returning and have my picks too. Either way, the show is still in good shape. Highly suggest you see Julia Undine as Christine. She's given the role a fresh new feel. So happy a South Jersey girl gets to play this on Broadway.

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 1/8/15 at 9:19pm

^ I've heard some recent audios of Julia Udine, and she sounds very lovely. I actually found her one of the good parts of the tour, so it baffles me as to why the show's fanbase was so upset when her casting in the Broadway show was announced.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/8/15 at 9:44pm

Because to them, anything associated with the tour is unclean.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 1/10/15 at 2:11pm

Julia is outstanding and seems thrilled to be there. IMO, the newly staged version was very creative and brings a fresh new slant to the show with a younger slightly updated feel without creating a sacrilege to the original. The sets were surprisingly good, though I did miss the Red Death arising from the staircase! Is the 'newly staged' version still touring? It's worth seeing.

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 1:07pm

The replacement will be James Barbour.

[Ado Annie D'Ysquith]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 1:33pm

Just saw the news and I am pretty disgusted, to be honest. Barbour should be blacklisted from Broadway- and the fact that he's playing a character who tries to seduce a young woman is the ultimate irony.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 1:35pm

It's so perfect in kind of the worst way.

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 1:50pm

James Barbour has a great voice and he is a good actor. I would see him in the role.

As for banning him from Broadway, he committed a crime and paid his dues. We can't go blacklisting everyone who commits a crime that disgusts us. Besides, it's not like he was cast as Daddy Warbucks in Annie.

[Starship]

Posted: 1/12/15 at 2:03pm

Cool! Next up we'll have George Zimmerman on Broadway!