PHANTOM Q- Page 2

[Sally]

Posted: 1/31/06 at 2:47am

Butler sang better than I though he would, but I still prefer to hear better singers do that music----but back to the topic. From what I've read online, some fans who came to the story through the film have seen the stage production and loved it!

Others, fewer, I *think,* like the voices in the film a lot and find both the singing and the acting in the stage show too, too,....too MUCH in some way. Too much vibrato is one common complaint. I think that being movie fans, they find the stage---too "stagy." They prefer Butler's somewhat rock-style singing, growlng, and less than polished voice. The trained stage voices don't sound right to them.

The POTO film, although it has a few "fantasy" elements like Christine's first trip to the Opera cellers, is mainly very film-realistic in presentation and acting. Almost all of the magic and power of the Phantom--- and the show, in my opinion--- have been removed. About the only "suspension of disbelief" required is to buy into people singing almost everything.

I guess it is an individual thing as to whether a Phantom film fan will like the stage show. I hope more of them will give it a try when they have a chance and experience the magic of a theatrical performance.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 1/31/06 at 3:48pm

Believe me you'll love it and what do you see in Gerard Butler lol? well 1 thing and that is that he is hot! Well which production are you seeing? Broadway,U.S. tour or something else? if it is the U.S Tour omg they're the best Gary my favorite phantom and he is very nice in person too and Marie Danvers+Elizebeth Southard are really good depends who u see I just saw it 4 times this month January

[ChristineDaae]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 5:26pm

The show is amazing and better than the movie. I think it's better because its live!! You'll like it! =-)

[jeremykushnier1fan]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 5:29pm

You'll be disappointed with the movie after you see the live production.

Just something funny that popped into my head when i saw the title of this thread, Phantom of the Opera, puppet style. Oh my.

[Radioactiveduck]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 6:50pm

Thank you Sally! That was one thing about the film that really irked me is how they took away all of the Phantom's magic. Carlotta croaked cuz he poisoned her, not because he just willed it to be so, same w/ the chandelier and a couple other things.

[brandonm]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 9:24pm

i liked the movie better...........the show just kept going on, and on, and on, and on. both are good though

[londonbaby]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 10:53am

the films ok, its nothing compared to the stage version. i REALLY didnt like prima donna, that was terrible! i saw the stage version on boxing day, it was fabulous, i saw it with howard mcgillin and sandra joseph and they wer outstanding! HOWEVER mcgillin didnt hold his line after "music of the night" and it was really obvious, me and my friend looked at each other and cringed, but he did make up for it in the second act! (anyone else see it on this day and thought the same?)

[mrsparker]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 11:34am

I found that reading the original novel by Gaston Leroux provided me with really valuable insight into some of the things the lyrics reference, but don't make clear on stage and on film because they go by so fast. For example, the childhood friendship between Christine and Raoul is fully explained in the novel. Watching the dressing room scene where they meet again is a lot more satisfying knowing why they are making references to Little Lottie and the picnics in the attic and the chocolate. If you are seeing either the show or the film for the first time and trying to make all the lyrics fit into some sort of picture in your head as it goes by, it really helps to know the source material.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 12:34pm

"PS. When I saw the thread title I thought you were going to discuss an idea to mix Phantom and Avenue Q into one musical. lol"

Me too! I could see it now...a little Phantom hand puppet singing "It Sucks to Be Me"...

Updated On: 2/13/06 at 12:34 PM

[Anthony3]

Posted: 2/14/06 at 6:37pm

Well, the movie is 100% terrible compared to the stage production.

Gerard Butler's voice is terrible and soooo deep. He was a bad choice for the Phantom in the film.

Emmy Rossum wasnt that bad as the film Christine. However Sandra Joseph (stage Christine) is SOOOOOOOO much better. Sandra's voice is amazing.

I just saw the stage version of Phantomo for the 5th time--
Enjoy it!! How are your seats?

[Becky2]

Posted: 2/14/06 at 7:11pm

Ditto, I've loved Sandra Joseph's voice for the past ten or eleven years, and it's only gotten better! Her voice amazes me.

[londonbaby]

Posted: 2/15/06 at 5:22am

yer same....i thought she was amazing! especially "wishing"= WOW