Phantom Closing?- Page 12

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 9/24/22 at 9:43pm

Speaking of load out, has anyone ever snagged props etc. from the bins of a closed show? 

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 9/26/22 at 11:25am

Phantom4ever said: "

I've also blown up ALW's FB/Insta about releasing the OG BWay cast video. It exists in the NYC Public Library under restricted access (new cast members?). They really need to give this to us!!!"

They don't *NEED* to do anything. They did the 25th? anniversary? at Royal Albert Hall. In my opinion, that was a fantastic production. I love that they did that. But saying they *need* to do something speaks about how entitled you are."



Ok I can't believe I of all people have to be the one to say this on the Phantom's Closing thread of all places, but let's all relax geez. the Royal Albert Hall production is NOT what's at the Majestic by a longshot. Granted it was nice to see for free during the pandemic, but when this production closes, it will never ever come back again for many reasons.

And above all, a Broadway fan on a Broadway message board saying that somebody "needs" to give their fans something is a figure of speech at worst and an earnest fan request at best. So calm down, hearthemsing. Maybe you should go hear them sing because it might relax you a bit--no snark just hoping you'll be able to take it easy.

"

Or maybe we should all-myself included, don't worry-need to realize that we don't get to tell people what to do. And mistreat them. And tell them "relax, calm down". How on earth was saying that they don't owe us anything...some sort of attack? is what you're implying? Nah. Maybe you need to chill and realize I can say that babe. :)

[sbflyfan]

Posted: 9/26/22 at 12:08pm

mozgrrl said: "I've also blown up ALW's FB/Insta about releasing the OG BWay cast video. It exists in the NYC Public Library under restricted access (new cast members?). They really need to give this to us!!!"

The TOFT Archive video can't be released.  It's not as simple as Andrew Lloyd Webber or Mr. Mackintosh waking up one day and saying, "Unleash the beast!"

When those TOFT Archive videos are filmed, there's a contractual agreement with the various unions so the footage WILL NOT be released commercially. The only financially feasable way any of the performances can be filmed is if there ISN'T any payment required to the performers, musicians, and crew members. It's simply an archival video for posterity and historic record. No commercial release = no one involved is missing out on any money.

Even if the unions said, "You know what? Sure. Knock yourselves out. Release it if you want to. Just pay our members." the legal fees and amount of work that would need to be done to negotiate contracts and residual payments with all of the actors, stagehands, musicians, etc. who were present at that particular performance, almost 35 years ago, would be impossible. In some situations you might even be negotiating with the estates of people who have since died. You'd also have to negotiate with the estates of Hal Prince, Maria Bjornson, Gillian Lynne, etc. Everyone knows this is a hit, and everyone would want quite a big slice of those profits.  All of that back-and-forth work and negotiation would take time, and probably be more costly than any immediate profits from sales of the video itself. 

The reason the video is restricted for viewing is because it's a currently running Broadway production. Once the production closes, hopefully that restriction will be lifted, and it will become available for on-site viewing, like most of the other videos in the archive. However, since it's such a high-profile title, and with all of the "circus" surrounding a potential revival, I wouldn't be surprised if the restriction stays in place for the time being.

Also, the London production was filmed (possibly in its entirety) on September 4, 2004 with John Owen-Jones as the Phantom, Katie Knight-Adams as Christine and Ramin Karimloo as Raoul.  Multiple clips were used on the "Behind The Mask" documentary included on the bonus features of the film's DVD release. This documentary was expanded upon for the BBC a year or so later. The credits of the documentary on the DVD lists the date and names of the performers in the entire company, which leads me to believe a complete pro-shot from London exists in HD.  Hopefully they negotiated with all involved at the time, and this video might see a release some day.
 

Updated On: 9/26/22 at 12:08 PM

[saxpower]

Posted: 9/26/22 at 1:21pm

Has ALW said anything (publicly) about this yet?  If not, and he really was against the closing and fought it, one possibility is he is looking at legal options, and has been advised by his attorneys not to say anything.    Grasping at straws, I know, but would explain it. 

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 9/26/22 at 1:36pm

Yeah saxpower I'm hoping for the same thing. I mean, what else can explain ALW's total silence about this? And he was just all over social media with the release of the international Phantom album. 

Could you imagine if ALW put out a press release tomorrow with "I am suing CM for breach of contract" or something like that. I wonder what it would take to get CM to sell his share of the show. Then again, when the London hacked up show re-opened, ALW put a notice on each seat defending the heck out of the changes and how the show is still so original and just what Hal Prince wanted etc, so perhaps we shouldn't get our hopes up. 

I'm also holding out for an extension, but it seems like the super strong sales are already starting to soften. So I am going to keep planning toward that Feb. 18 date. We all know CamMack wants this thing shut down ASAP. 

And wow! Hearthemsing called me a babe! That is quite the compliment.  I guess they took my advice after all and "heard them sing" while they were relaxing : )  I will follow your advice too; when you label other posters "entitled" I won't call you out on it even if I think you are wrong. Cuz I'm a babe. : )

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 9/26/22 at 2:11pm

Phantom4ever said: "Yeah saxpower I'm hoping for the same thing. I mean, what else can explain ALW's total silence about this? And he was just all over social media with the release of the international Phantom album.

Could you imagine if ALW put out a press release tomorrow with "I am suing CM for breach of contract" or something like that. I wonder what it would take to get CM to sell his share of the show. Then again, when the London hacked up show re-opened, ALW put a notice on each seat defending the heck out of the changes and how the show is still so original and just what Hal Prince wanted etc, so perhaps we shouldn't get our hopes up.

I'm also holding out for an extension, but it seems like the super strong sales are already starting to soften. So I am going to keep planning toward that Feb. 18 date. We all know CamMack wants this thing shut down ASAP.

And wow! Hearthemsing called me a babe! That is quite the compliment. I guess they took my advice after all and "heard them sing" while they were relaxing : ) I will follow your advice too; when you label other posters "entitled" I won't call you out on it even if I think you are wrong. Cuz I'm a babe. : )"

Good :) Thank you! I so appreciate this. Truly. 

Still checking Telecharge ALL the time to see when tickets go on sale...

[mozgrrl]

Posted: 9/26/22 at 4:41pm

sbflyfan said: "mozgrrl said: "I've also blown up ALW's FB/Insta about releasing the OG BWay cast video. It exists in the NYC Public Library under restricted access (new cast members?). They really need to give this to us!!!"

The TOFT Archive video can't be released. It's not as simple as Andrew Lloyd Webber or Mr. Mackintosh waking up one day and saying, "Unleash the beast!"

When those TOFT Archive videos are filmed, there's a contractual agreement with the various unions so the footage WILL NOT be released commercially. The only financially feasable way any of the performances can be filmed is if there ISN'T any payment required to the performers, musicians, and crew members. It's simply an archival video for posterity and historic record. No commercial release = no one involved is missing out on any money.

Even if the unions said, "You know what? Sure. Knock yourselves out. Release it if you want to. Just pay our members." the legal fees and amount of work that would need to be done to negotiate contracts and residual payments with all of the actors, stagehands, musicians, etc. who were present at that particular performance, almost 35 years ago, would be impossible. In some situations you might even be negotiating with the estates of people who have since died. You'd also have to negotiate with the estates of Hal Prince, Maria Bjornson, Gillian Lynne, etc. Everyone knows this is a hit, and everyone would want quite a big slice of those profits. All of that back-and-forth work and negotiation would take time, and probably be more costly than any immediate profits from sales of the video itself.

The reason the video is restricted for viewing is because it's a currently running Broadway production. Once the production closes, hopefully that restriction will be lifted, and it will become available for on-site viewing, like most of the other videos in the archive. However, since it's such a high-profile title, and with all of the "circus" surrounding a potential revival, I wouldn't be surprised if the restriction stays in place for the time being.

Also, the London production was filmed (possibly in its entirety) on September 4, 2004 with John Owen-Jones as the Phantom, Katie Knight-Adams as Christine and Ramin Karimloo as Raoul. Multiple clips were used on the "Behind The Mask" documentary included on the bonus features of the film's DVD release. This documentary was expanded upon for the BBC a year or so later. The credits of the documentary on the DVD lists the date and names of the performers in the entire company, which leads me to believe a complete pro-shot from London exists in HD. Hopefully they negotiated with all involved at the time, and this video might see a release some day.
"

Very informative post, thank you!
Do you remember (and I'm going waaay back) there was a filmed version of Michael C and Sarah B that seemed to have aired on Bravo in the U.S. (before the Housewives fame)? There were a few clips (Point of No Return) with the Bravo logo in the right bottom corner on YouTube that I had seen before. I can't seem to find the one with the logo now, but it's the same footage as in the BBC documentary. I wonder if this was the professionally shot version or is this the one in the NY Library?

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 9/26/22 at 6:08pm

Still (im)patiently waiting on when they'll release that final block of tickets....

 

...or do we think they'll announce an extension due to overwhelming demand?

[chernjam]

Posted: 9/27/22 at 4:14pm

hearthemsing22 said: "Still (im)patiently waiting on when they'll release that final block of tickets....



...or do we think they'll announce an extension due to overwhelming demand?"

I'd imagine that if there is any extension announced it will be after the Christmas Holiday's.  With Phantom up almost another $300,000 in grosses and selling out this past week, if that type of momentum continues through the fall/ carries over to Advance Ticket sales, I'd think it's probable that it will extend.  I'd be more surprised if it didn't extend at this point. 

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 9/27/22 at 5:13pm

 

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 9/27/22 at 5:15pm

TaffyDavenport said: "

 

"

Oh man. That made me cry!

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 9/27/22 at 6:18pm

It was emotional to see that video but I don't like the ending with the alley. New York and especially Manhattan isn't known for alleys. 

When is the extension happening? When is ALW saying something to save us!

[joevitus]

Posted: 9/27/22 at 6:24pm

New York isn't known for alleys? 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 9/27/22 at 6:26pm

joevitus said: "New York isn't known for alleys?"

Phantom is right in the heart of Shubert Alley, don’t you remember?

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 9/27/22 at 6:42pm

That alley was not Shubert Alley by a longshot! lol I think they were trying to go for a Gotham City vibe so I guess I can forgive that but it would have been cooler if the Phantom were walking down Shubert Alley or even down 8th Av or something. 

[joevitus]

Posted: 9/27/22 at 11:07pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "joevitus said: "New York isn't known for alleys?"

Phantomis right in the heart of Shubert Alley, don’t you remember?"

LOL, but while I don't think anyone says "NYC--the alleys, oh, you must see the alleys!" or "The Big Apple: King of the Alleys" or anything, as a giant urban structure teeming with buildings and skyscrapers crammed into a small space, New York must have at least as many alleys as any other major city in the country, if not more (maybe it vies with Chicago), and obviously there are tons of alleys in the traditional Broadway district. Many movies that take place in New York have had major scenes that take place in alleys, especially crime films. And in fact, Gotham City is a stand-in for New York City, so making a link between the two for the purposes of that video makes a lot of sense. I think for a number of people, when you mention the city, especially if the topic is something mystery or crime-related or a tenement setting (a la West Side Story) the image of an alley would appear in their minds. Like, how weird it is to say "New York isn't known for alleys"? 

Updated On: 9/27/22 at 11:07 PM

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 9/27/22 at 11:32pm

Ok I definitely did not expect this thread to devolve into a discussion about alleys but here we are lol. 
As someone who grew up in Chicago, lived in new York for many years and now moved back to Chicago, alleys are definitely a huge difference between the two cities. 
 

and West Side Story had an alley? Yes it had fire escaped but alleys?   Hmmm I’ll have to rewatch lest I be called weird again lol.  
 

Chicago’s alleys look like the one the Phantom is walking through. All Chicago neighborhoods have alleys with garage access in between the side streets.  And even in the downtown business district, there are wide alleys just like the ones seen in the ad. 
Joevitus. Joe. Vitus. Joe.  You’re claiming that New York’s theater district not only has alleys but “tons of alleys in the traditional Broadway district”. 
LOL

So the Phantom is standing in the alley between 45th and 46th street? Or the one between 43rd and 44?   Come on lol.  Could you imagine if there were alleys like the one in the video (and like the ones in Chicago) in the theater district?  So many shortcuts and detours.  Other than Shubert Alley which isn’t reeeeally an alley in the strictest sense, I have never seen or walked or driven through any alley in the theater district or actually anywhere in mid or downtown Manhattan.  
tbe biggest gripe Chicagoans have with New York is the garbage bags on the street waiting for pick up. They never shutup about it actually.  They always ask “why can’t they put the garbage in the alley like Chicago?”  And I have to say: there are no alleys.  Sorry Joe!  

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 9/27/22 at 11:51pm

Here is a good article from the NY TImes about why New York doesn't have alleys. It's because of the street grid plan from 1811, which did not include alleys. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/25/nyregion/answers-to-questions-about-new-york.html.

And here's an article from the Hollywood Reporter about how the few alleys that do exist in New York are used often for films that want that dark gritty alley vibe that people, like Joevitus, think New York City has in spades.  

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/why-is-gritty-nyc-alley-featured-tv-shows-movies-1240049/

 

[sparksatmidnight]

Posted: 9/28/22 at 12:50am

It seems that, unlike my wildest dreams, I won't ever be able to see the glorious Phantom on Broadway. I have no interest in seeing the cheap, downsized version Cameron Mackintosh will put out in a year or two, so I just hope that one crash and burn. Unless the medical field has some interesting development in the next few years, it also seems unlikely that I'll be able to see it, but I hope when it all enters the public domain, someone has a field day recreating the actual brilliant original. I won't see it, but oh what a thrill these audiences will have.

[joevitus]

Posted: 9/28/22 at 9:07am

Phantom4ever said: "Here is a good article from the NY TImes about why New York doesn't have alleys. It's because of the street grid plan from 1811, which did not include alleys.

https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/25/nyregion/answers-to-questions-about-new-york.html.

And here's an article from the Hollywood Reporter about how the few alleys that do exist in New York are used often for films that want that dark gritty alley vibe that people, like Joevitus, think New York City has in spades.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/why-is-gritty-nyc-alley-featured-tv-shows-movies-1240049/

"

Even if it doesn't have them, it's known for them. As the recurring use of them in movies implies.

[inception]

Posted: 9/28/22 at 9:55am

Phantom4ever said: "
tbe biggest gripe Chicagoans have with New York is the garbage bags on the street waiting for pick up. They never shutup about it actually. They always ask “why can’t they put the garbage in the alley like Chicago?” And I have to say: there are no alleys. Sorry Joe! "

Not just Chicagoans!  On my first visit to NYC that was the biggest shock, seeing piles of garbage bags heaped up on the sidewalk, some leaning against parked cars for support, for days. I took so many photos,  but the pics of the garbage were what I showed most to folks to let them see what NYC is really like.  

That trip I stayed somewhere cheap near Union Square.  I've stayed in better neighborhoods since.

As for the video, the alley seems more like a metaphor. In today's America we're all just gonna end up in a dustbin in the alley.

Maybe now he's out of a job the guy is joining the masses of homeless camped out in needle & feces strewn alleys in cities like Vancouver, Seattle, LA &  Las Vegas.

I'm heading to Las Vegas this weekend & changed reservations for one of my hotels based on reports that a homeless encampment I would have to walk past has sprung up in the area since I was last there in 2019.

There's also supposed to be an influx of Times Square style costumed folks badgering people for cash for photos. Maybe I should go by & see if there's any Phantoms.

Also in Times Square itself seems like the Phantom might be a good costume for those $#@#  to start using.

 

 

Updated On: 9/28/22 at 09:55 AM

[TheOrpheumCircuit]

Posted: 9/28/22 at 10:14am

For those who have seen Broadway Phantom recently, how would you rate the current cast? I assume this will be the cast who plays through the end?

[Miserent]

Posted: 9/28/22 at 11:18am

The show closes Feb 18th, yet tickets aren’t available past January 21st…what’s up with that?

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 9/28/22 at 11:25am

Ben Crawford is a wonderful Phantom. I judge my Phantoms on how strong they end MOTN and he ends it in a beautiful voice. Julia Udine and Emilie Kouatchou are excellent Christines, with Emilie being the stronger of the two. The ensemble acts and sings well. And all of the sets, props, costumes, curtains, etc. have been lovingly looked after. 

The production said they will announce at a later date when they will put the final block on sale. The final block will include the actual final performance and the 35th anniversary.  

[Lot666]

Posted: 9/28/22 at 3:52pm

TheOrpheumCircuit said: "For those who have seen Broadway Phantom recently, how would you rate the current cast? I assume this will be the cast who plays through the end?"

My thoughts:

Ben Crawford is magnificent in the title role and John Riddle is one of the better Raouls I've seen of late. Craig Bennett is a pretty sold Firmin and has been in that role for some time now. Bradley Dean was superb as Andre, but he just recently left the show. Maree Johnson is a very good Madame Giry.

Raquel Suarez Groen is okay as Carlotta, but she's no Michele McConnell.

I've yet to see Emilie Kouatchou, so am not qualified to comment on her performance.

If Ben Crawford is out, you may be fortunate enough to get Jeremy Stolle (Passarino) or Greg Mills (swing), who are often the go-to covers for the title role. Both are fantastic.