Phantom Closing?- Page 10

[Lot666]

Posted: 9/19/22 at 10:11am

YvanEhtNioj said: "It was on tour and came to the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando while I was in college there."

That was the Cameron Mackintosh "reimagined" production. If that's the only version you've seen, I urge you to see the original Prince/Bjornson/Lynne Broadway production while you still can.

 

Updated On: 9/19/22 at 10:11 AM

[YvanEhtNioj]

Posted: 9/19/22 at 10:13am

Lot666 said: "YvanEhtNioj said: "It was on tour and came to the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando while I was in college there."

That was the Cameron Mackintosh "reimagined" production. If that's the only version you've seen, I urge you to see the original Broadway production while you still can.

"

I've actually never made the effort to see the Broadway production because I assumed it was the exact same, but now I will

[Lot666]

Posted: 9/19/22 at 10:14am

YvanEhtNioj said: "I've actually never made the effort to see the Broadway production because I assumed it was the exact same"

Not even close.

 

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 9/19/22 at 10:22am

EDSOSLO858 said: "Mackintosh hints thatPhantomcould potentially return to NY in the future "in some form":

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Cameron-Mackintosh-Says-THE-PHANTOM-OF-THE-OPERA-Will-Come-Back-at-Some-Point-20220919"

UGH. Like I said earlier, no Phantom on Broadway is better than a cheap and tacky knockoff production. That touring production for a few years back was simply awful in every single way.

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 9/19/22 at 10:44am

Lol the comeback begins!  When Phantom does inevitably return, it'll 100% be Seth's London hackjob, and it'll be heralded as the Brilliant Original Harold Prince/Bjornson production...............updated! And Improved!  (cheapened! and downsized!) 

The only real question now is will they put it in after a few months renovation on the Majestic or will they wait three years for Tony eligibility?  

[The Scorpion]

Posted: 9/19/22 at 1:42pm

Lol the comeback begins!  When Phantom does inevitably return, it'll 100% be Seth's London hackjob, and it'll be heralded as the Brilliant Original Harold Prince/Bjornson production...............updated! And Improved!  (cheapened! and downsized!) 

The only real question now is will they put it in after a few months renovation on the Majestic or will they wait three years for Tony eligibility? 

You're bang on the money. Mackintosh has already told 2 outlets about his plans to bring it back, within just a few days of the news coming out. One question is whether ALW/RUG, who have still said NOTHING about this despite being the co-producers, will claim - as in London - that nothing is changing and it is the "brilliant original" that is back "in its entirety" and "unchanged" using all the "original designs"...none of which came to pass.

At least with Broadway it is more difficult for these two egos to try and fool the public as they did in the West End buy owning the theatre and therefore being able to maintain a semblance of continuity. 

Updated On: 9/19/22 at 01:42 PM

[The Scorpion]

Posted: 9/19/22 at 1:48pm

Phantom4ever said: "Lot666 said: "BroadwayNYC2 said: "the show is in rickety shape"

What does that mean?

Yeah I'm curious as well. I've seen the show six times this year and everything about it is in top shape.

The only thing I'll say is now that Harold Prince is dead, there is no one to lovingly look after the show like he did.

And even if the sets WERE falling apart etc, if you think for one second that Cameron Mackintosh said "aw man I would love for Phantom to keep running but its just in such bad shape I have no choice to close it!" you're way off base. Word now is that ALW fought very hard against this but it sounds like Cameron has wanted this show gone for a long time and he is finally getting his way.
"

"

What I don't quite get is HOW ALW is letting Cameron get his way. ALW had the majority rights in the Broadway production (it's 70/30, I understand). He even has the majority rights in the current downscaled / cheapened London one, so his whole whinge about fighting for a bigger orchestra but being overruled is weird and doesn't make sense.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 9/19/22 at 1:57pm

This thread just goes to prove "There ain't no crazy like a POTO crazy!"

Even the Beanie haters weren't this unhinged...

 

[MikeInTheDistrict]

Posted: 9/19/22 at 2:11pm

I don't seen anything "unhinged" about the discussion here, and I don't understand the satisfaction some people get from belittling their fellow theater fans for being passionate about whatever shows they like. If you think this is unhinged, go hang out on a gaming, sports, or even certain music/TV/film forums. Passion and engagement is what makes a community vibrant and healthy.

Phantom wasn't my favorite show, but I do understand it's appeal. It was many people's first entry point into theater and its maximalist approach was unrivaled in 1986 and remains so today with maybe the exception of Taymor's Lion King. It's grand and sweeping emotionally and visually stunning. I would have liked to see it one last time, but I doubt I will be able to now.

Updated On: 9/19/22 at 02:11 PM

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 9/19/22 at 4:49pm

Stage Door Sally said: "I've seen Phantom on Broadway about nine times. I'd ask friends who came for a visit what Broadway show they'd like to see and Phantom was a favorite. I grew weary of it though, especially the last two times when the chandelier was out of commission. It was just lying there, very distracting and disheartening. Like it was dead. Right before intermission I would go to use the rest room and noticed staff members taking naps in the lobby. This was several years ago. Out with a whimper..."

Wow. You've seen it 9 times at the Majestic and managed to see the chandelier not working TWICE?  Those are some remarkable odds.  I have seen it 82 times at the Majestic and never seen any tech problem like that. 

And you're right about the naps. If you go to a new show, the staff members are doing handstands and somersaults during Act 1 in the lobby.  These long runners though....I mean imagine working in the lobby of a show for 35 years, especially when half the staff is under 35!  Lol. 

And this summer I saw set/automation breakdowns at Company and A Strange Loop so I guess by your logic it's because they're going/went out with a whimper.   

[DrewJoseph]

Posted: 9/19/22 at 5:00pm

Wait, what?! Phantom without the chandelier? How does that work? Do they just play the show with it lying onstage?

[saxpower]

Posted: 9/19/22 at 5:34pm

Phantom4ever said: "Lol the comeback begins! When Phantom does inevitably return, it'll 100% be Seth's London hackjob, and it'll be heralded as the Brilliant Original Harold Prince/Bjornson production...............updated! And Improved! (cheapened! and downsized!)

The only real question now is will they put it in after a few months renovation on the Majestic or will they wait three years for Tony eligibility?"

I'm not sure putting the new show in the Majestic makes sense- if they are downsizing, they'd  probably want a smaller theatre- plus if they are having trouble filling the Majestic now, they probably would with the new version as well.   Notably, Her/His Majesty's (not sure if its been officially renamed yet-assuming they were waiting for after the funeral) capacity is 1,216 while Majestic is 1,645 (both per Wikipedia)- so its a bit easier to fill the theatre over in London. 

One question- are the Shuberts investors on this?  If so, the whole "close it so we don't have to pay the investors" plan may not work- Shuberts would likely insist on a cut of the gross of the new version (at least if its going in one of their theatres).

[Mwb2]

Posted: 9/19/22 at 6:02pm

Remember when Coke thought it was a good idea to replace "classic" with "new" coke?  How did that work out?  Sorry don't think people me included want a Phantom for the 21st century.  We want the original to bring our kids and grandkids to.  No idea on unions etc but do they have to do 8 shows a week?  Maybe some of those 35 year employees might appreciate more time off?  And maybe some of the actors would be thrilled with only 5 shows to spend time with their children or on a separate project.  No clue just putting an idea out there to keep this beloved classic!

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 9/20/22 at 1:00am

Mwb2 said: "Remember when Coke thought it was a good idea to replace "classic" with "new" coke? How did that work out? Sorry don't think people me included want a Phantom for the 21st century. We want the original to bring our kids and grandkids to. No idea on unions etc but do they have to do 8 shows a week? Maybe some of those 35 year employees might appreciate more time off? And maybe some of the actors would be thrilled with only 5 shows to spend time with their children or on a separate project. No clue just putting an idea out there to keep this beloved classic!"

That would NEVER happen. Not only would AEA rightfully have a field day with this. No actor would work a Broadway show where they preform less and therefore get paid less as a result. 

 

 

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 9/20/22 at 1:03am

Is there any credibility to the suggestions that ALW may open Cinderella at the Majestic now or is that just speculation? I thought the Imperial was a done deal?

Also if Phantom is suddenly too expensive to run, in part because of the large orchestra, why is Cinderella opening at a theatre with an equally large union enforced musician minimum?

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 9/20/22 at 8:15am

It’s still the Imperial. We don’t know how long it’ll be before the Majestic is able to be ready for another show to come in post the closing of Phantom. And, common sense would dictate that if Webber has access to a theatre already why would he wait? 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 9/20/22 at 8:30am

Islander_fan said: "It’s still the Imperial. We don’t know how long it’ll be before the Majestic is able to be ready for another show to come in post the closing of Phantom. And, common sense would dictate that if Webber has access to a theatre already why would he wait?"

Have you paid back n2nbaby yet?

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 9/20/22 at 8:40am

Islander_fan said: "It’s still the Imperial. We don’t know how long it’ll be before the Majestic is able to be ready for another show to come in post the closing of Phantom. And, common sense would dictate that if Webber has access to a theatre already why would he wait?"

 

The audacity to still be posting.

[Strange Lupone]

Posted: 9/20/22 at 8:42am

TotallyEffed said: "Islander_fan said: "It’s still the Imperial. We don’t know how long it’ll be before the Majestic is able to be ready for another show to come in post the closing of Phantom. And, common sense would dictate that if Webber has access to a theatre already why would he wait?"



The audacity to still be posting."

 

 

It’s breathtaking.

 

[Strange Lupone]

Posted: 9/20/22 at 12:22pm

Islander_fan said: "Mwb2 said: "Remember when Coke thought it was a good idea to replace "classic" with "new" coke? How did that work out? Sorry don't think people me included want a Phantom for the 21st century. We want the original to bring our kids and grandkids to. No idea on unions etc but do they have to do 8 shows a week? Maybe some of those 35 year employees might appreciate more time off? And maybe some of the actors would be thrilled with only 5 shows to spend time with their children or on a separate project. No clue just putting an idea out there to keep this beloved classic!"

That would NEVER happen. Not only would AEA rightfully have a field day with this. No actor would work a Broadway show where they preform less and therefore get paid less as a result.



"

It’s breathtaking how you can understand why an actor wouldn’t work while getting paid less when you yourself haven’t, you know, paid at all.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 9/20/22 at 1:00pm

Hey Ben (Islander_fan) just because the mods deleted the thread by n2nbaby doesn’t you’ve gotten off scot-free. Just pay the guy back.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 9/20/22 at 1:05pm

Call_me_jorge said: "Hey Ben (Islander_fan) just because the mods deleted the thread byn2nbaby doesn’t you’ve gotten off scot-free. Just pay the guy back."

 

Congratulations, Sutton Ross -- looks like you're no longer the MOST hated person on BWW.  Islander_fan has edged you down to second place!

[JSquared2]

Posted: 9/20/22 at 1:08pm

Islander_fan said: "It’s still the Imperial. We don’t know how long it’ll be before the Majestic is able to be ready for another show to come in post the closing of Phantom. And, common sense would dictate that if Webber has access to a theatre already why would he wait?"

Pay your debt.

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 9/20/22 at 1:33pm

Mods, can you delete all this off topic nonsense and get this thread back on track? Thanks!  

So Phantom had four performances post-closing notice last week, and it looks like it shows in the grosses. For this week, Monday night and tomorrow night look sold out/close to selling out too. The amount of premium seats has gone way up for remaining performances too. 

I packed up all of my Phantom merch in a big box on Saturday and I keep finding more to still put away. Today it was the souvenir cups and coffee cups. Ugh.  

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 9/20/22 at 3:03pm

I somehow just found out about this today, and I’m devastated. Phantom was the first show I ever saw on Broadway back when I was 14, and it remains my most favorite musical even to this day. I wonder if I can convince my husband to slip up to New York one weekend and catch a performance before the show closes for good.

Someone else in the thread mentioned this already, but what are the chances they record the final performance to sell DVD’s like RENT did? Or even do a soundboard cast recording? Surely they’ll do something big to commemorate this legendary behemoth finally closing.