* Thud * That was my head hitting the desk. Once again I find out the day after.
Have Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman autographs on my Phantom CD. Really have been wishing to cross paths with Andrew for his autograph...oh well...someday.
Never even crossed my mind that he would be there last night.
I walked up and got a standing room ticket around 6:30 yesterday. They must have opened the doors late, because when I got near the theater at 7:45 the line was two blocks long. The show started around 8:10.
Historically I haven't been a huge fan of Norm Lewis, but he was really incredible last night. You could really tell he was giving it his all (and having the time of his life whenever he got to do the Phantom's malevolent laughter). The rest of the cast gave great performances as well (and of course Sierra Boggess was to die for). The audience was extremely engaged and enthusiastic, but not annoying, which is the perfect combination. I'm so glad I got to see it!
Boggess' schedule follows: Week of May 12 (Monday-Saturday evenings), Sara Jean Ford will perform the Thursday and Saturday matinees; beginning May 19 (Tuesday evening, Wednesday evening, Thursday matinee, Friday evening and Saturday evening), Sarah Jean Ford will perform Monday evenings and Saturday matinees.
For the week of June 9 only, Boggess will perform Tuesday evening, Wednesday evening, Thursday evening, Friday evening, Saturday matinee and Saturday evening. Mary Michael Patterson returns as the Christine alternate and will perform on Monday evening and the Thursday matinee.
What is so odd? It is a steady paycheck worth a few thousand dollars each week in a show in NO danger of closing and dgoing i to a season of there where neither would likely begin work on a new Broadway production for season, should they be offered one. One of them is returning to a show and role that made her name, where she is the renounded / rich composer 's darling, where she has been asked to mark milestones and has received countless raves. The other is playing a dream role in a show where he certainly will not be of reasonable age should a revival come around, where he is making history for the show and garnering much press, where he is guaranteed to be adored.. I see nothing odd here. I see two smart actors and smart business people.
So great to see Hal Princes' enthusiasm in keeping to New York production fresh and the production's commitment to great casting which is often far from the case in long runners. Though i find Sierra's odd diction can be a bit distracting sometimes her singing is a joy and her 'WYWSHA' had the audience in awe at the RAH performance I saw.
Any idea why, after 26 years they've decided to change to the Wandering Child trio and have Phantom catch Christine if these reports are correct? Seems odd to finally standardise the show now.