Just got home from the show. I left a piece of confetti in my hair for good measure (if there is any confetti left in New York, I'd be surprised--I think most of it is on the floor of the Majestic).
The show tonight was incredible. The audience clapped itself silly when the lights went down, clapped itself into a frenzy when the chandelier went up, then stopped the show several more times during the first ten minutes (most applause went to George Lee Andrews' entrance as Andre). The cast responded to the energy of the room, and the entire first act flew by. Howard McGillin was an amazing phantom, and while Sandra Joseph isn't the most powerfully-voiced Christine I've seen, her emotional honesty in the part was touching and gorgeous to watch. Also, much love to Anne Runolfsson as Carlotta (powerhouse!) and Marilyn Caskey (the ex-Carlotta and current Madame Giry). I've seen the show many times before, but tonight the cast found all of the humor (Notes was exceptional), all of the sadness (All I Ask of You Reprise), and all of the quirks that define this show. It was amazing to watch.
I started getting teary in the second act, and nearly lost it during Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again. Sandra Joseph nailed that song. Before I knew it Meg was grabbing the mask, and then the audience was on its feet.
Curtain call was all smiles, then the cast began to leave the stage. The house darkened again, and the ballet girls formed a circle. They parted to reveal Victoria from Cats, who then did a dance over to the Phantom downstage. They danced a bit, then she strutted off stage with the whole Phantom company extending their arms toward her (does anyone know who was dressed/dancing as Victoria?). It was a classy, funny, touching tribute to the show.
Then came the tears, as past Christines, Raouls, Phantoms, and other principles took the stage for a reprise of Masquerade. Hearing all of their voices together (even over the tears of many of them) was a perfect end to the evening.
Of course the speeches came next, with Andrew Lloyd Webber, Hal Prince, Cameron Mackintosh, Gillian Lynne, and (lastly) Michael Crawford speaking. They all spoke of collaborators, people who could not be there, and the joy the show has brought them. Michael Crawford was incredibly choked up, and told us this was his first time seeing the show from the audience. Then, on his command, all the silver and gold confetti in the world rained down on us, followed by a shower of Phantom balloons.
Now the lucky folks are off at a masked ball, and I'm home to look at my souvenir mask and program. I hope everyone who got to be there enjoyed it, and I hope those of you who were not there get to see some of the coverage. It was a magical evening.
Updated On: 1/9/06 at 10:48 PM
