Phantom Closing?- Page 19

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 1/15/23 at 2:24pm

My husband and I just got back in town from our weekend trip to see Phantom a final time. It was his first musical, so this was special for him. 
 

We couldn’t afford fancy tickets, so I got us a couple seats in the rear mezz. Someone mentioned the sound system was updated in the Majestic, and I can easily believe that; the show was VERY loud back there, which was perfect for my part-deaf husband! We could clearly hear every word, and the orchestra was insane. We also enjoyed the performers. Julia Udine was wonderful as Christine, and Ben Crawford gave a more subdued interpretation than I’m used to with my Phantoms, which was an interesting take. 
 

As we left the theatre, though, I couldn’t help just feeling sad at the fact that this show will be gone soon. Broadway will never see another one like Phantom again, and while I know there are tons of wonderful shows that have opened and will continue to pass through, none of the ones I’ve seen have had the extra special touch in Phantom. I’m very grateful we managed to make it to New York to see this classic behemoth one last time. 

[Lot666]

Posted: 1/17/23 at 9:03am

Elfuhbuh said: "Ben Crawford gave a more subdued interpretation than I’m used to with my Phantoms, which was an interesting take."

He must have been ill or otherwise not up to scratch. Normally, there's nothing subdued about him; his voice can usually shake the building!

 

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 1/17/23 at 9:10am

What are the odds this extends again?

[Piparoo]

Posted: 1/17/23 at 9:12am

Broadway Flash said: "What are the odds this extends again?"

With what the box office is charging for tickets right now, some folks are going to be mighty sore if it extends significantly. I would guess odds aren't great for an extension.

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 1/17/23 at 9:19am

They can always change the day they see it.  Since everyone is trying to see it again before it closes, they should extend it for a few more months until sales die down again.

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 1/17/23 at 9:21am

Broadway Flash said: "They can always change the day they see it. Since everyone is trying to see it again before it closes, they should extend it for a few more months until sales die down again."

I'm sure this is common knowledge but maybe people need a reminder. Once a show announces its closing people rush to see it. Thus demand increases, and then prices increase. This does not indicate another extension is in the works or will be announced. 

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 1/17/23 at 9:32am

I think they didn't want to extend too much in case sales didn't pick up.  Now that its selling extremely well, they should do one final substantial extension, and announce it must end on that date.  Final extension 

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 1/17/23 at 10:21am

Sales have already died down. If you look at the weekdays in late February through March, there's a ton of availability. Unless those seats start moving, there's no reason for another extension.













 

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 1/17/23 at 10:33am

Theyre not buying as far in advance as they used to.  Its still selling very well, and theyre making bank.

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 1/17/23 at 10:47am

On the show's official website, it says:

"We are sad to confirm that after 35 years on Broadway, Phantom will play its final performance at the Majestic Theatre on Sunday April 16th, 2023. This will be our final extension on Broadway.

The language being used there and elsewhere doesn't leave much room for interpretation.

[defenses]

Posted: 1/17/23 at 11:15am

Lot666 said: "Elfuhbuh said: "Ben Crawford gave a more subdued interpretation than I’m used to with my Phantoms, which was an interesting take."

He must have been ill or otherwise not up to scratch. Normally, there's nothing subdued about him; his voice can usually shake the building!"

This is the second comment in the past two weeks about how his performance hasn’t been as strong. I hope he’s doing alright!

[Lot666]

Posted: 1/17/23 at 12:56pm

defenses said: "This is the second comment in the past two weeks about how his performance hasn’t been as strong. I hope he’s doing alright!"

I saw the show twice in late November, on a consecutive Friday and Saturday. Greg Mills (who was truly SUPERB) went on for Ben Crawford on Friday night. Ben returned for the Saturday evening performance, but he shouldn't have. He was quite obviously sick; he sounded very nasal and was unable to sustain the big notes to his usual standards.

[chernjam]

Posted: 1/17/23 at 11:57pm

TaffyDavenport said: "On the show's official website, it says:

"We are sad to confirm that after 35 years on Broadway, Phantom will play its final performance at the Majestic Theatre on Sunday April 16th, 2023. This will be our final extension on Broadway.

The language being used there and elsewhere doesn't leave much room for interpretation."

True, but we're dealing with theatre producers - who could just do the whole "this unprecedented demand."  Which they aren't wrong  - I mean when Les Miz and Cats announced they were closing, I don't remember the sales picking up to this extent were it's gotten to SRO and premium prices again.  Never imagined it would be raking in $1-$2 million  a week and now that we know the break even point is around $900 k - what's the hurry?  I imagined they would make it thru the Tonys, maybe for some sort of farewell at that and make it through early Summer.  

But again, theatre producers - including CM - who knows

[Fosse76]

Posted: 1/18/23 at 12:34am

chernjam said: "I imagined they would make it thru the Tonys, maybe for some sort of farewell at that and make it through early Summer.

But again, theatre producers - including CM - who knows"

Even if CM and ALW want to extend, it's entirely at the discretion of the Shubert Organization if they extend. Once a show announces a closing,  that is an official notice that they are vacating the theater. They may have worked with the Shuberts ahead of time to establish an extended closing date, but an email the Shuberts recently circulated to select staff shows that the Majestic will be dark after April 15. Doesn't mean it can't happen, but it seems very unlikely.

[Phantour]

Posted: 1/19/23 at 8:47pm

Lot666 said: "defenses said: "This is the second comment in the past two weeks about how his performance hasn’t been as strong. I hope he’s doing alright!"

I saw the show twice in late November, on a consecutive Friday and Saturday. Greg Mills (who was truly SUPERB) went on for Ben Crawford on Friday night. Ben returned for the Saturday evening performance, but he shouldn't have. He was quite obviously sick; he sounded very nasal and was unable to sustain the big notes to his usual standards."

1) I agree that Greg Mills is a superb Phantom!

2) Ben was off on Monday this week after doing a full run of shows last week. He did both shows yesterday, I caught him in the evening, but today he has called off and Jeremy Stolle is once again filling in for the role. His voice sounded in good shape when I saw him last night. Is it wrong I bought tickets to both performances on the day before the 35th anniversary in hopes Ben might want to take off one of those days to rest up? He has wonderful understudies and I hope to catch a couple of them. I have seen Greg Mills earlier this month and I am trying to catch Ted Keegan again as it's been about 20 years since I last saw him in the role and I know his voice and energy are still the same as they were back then!

 

Updated On: 1/19/23 at 08:47 PM

[defenses]

Posted: 1/20/23 at 9:31am

Phantour said: "Is it wrong I bought tickets to both performances on the day before the 35th anniversary in hopes Ben might want to take off one of those days to rest up? He has wonderful understudies and I hope to catch a couple of them. I have seen Greg Mills earlier this month and I am trying to catch Ted Keegan again as it's been about 20 years since I last saw him in the role and I know his voice and energy are still the same as they were back then!"

Absolutely nothing wrong with that! This is the time to see as many people as you can because no one knows who will be involved if/when Phantom comes back. I am only planning on seeing the show one more time (unless I miraculously win the lottery or ticket prices go down), and while I want to see one of the u/s because I haven't seen them, I think I would be sad if Ben wasn't at my last show because I adore him!

 

[quizking101]

Posted: 1/20/23 at 9:33am

Went tonight and the show seemed in good shape despite me never having seen it before and therefore have no comparison. My mother had been pushing me to see it for 15 years (the last time my parents saw it was in 1998 - I was 4), so I got tickets for them for Christmas and we had our own little row in the front of the rear mezz.

Honestly...I didn't hate the show, but after a while, it got really hard to follow and was just WAY too loud - like, an assault on all senses. Jeremy Stolle was on as Phantom and he was great, as was Emilie as Christine. I am glad I got to see the scenic design as it was. Everything else? Meh...glad I saw it but have absolutely no reason to ever see it again.

[Lot666]

Posted: 1/20/23 at 10:08am

Phantour said: "Is it wrong I bought tickets to both performances on the day before the 35th anniversary in hopes Ben might want to take off one of those days to rest up? He has wonderful understudies and I hope to catch a couple of them."

I bought a ticket for next Wednesday's matinee for the same reason. I'm REALLY hoping to get Greg or Jeremy (but I'd be very disappointed if I got Ted Keegan, who - to borrow a phrase from Carlotta - "doesn't have the voice!" IMHO).

 

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 1/20/23 at 1:04pm

Will the current cast be on for the current scheduled closing performance?

[Lot666]

Posted: 1/20/23 at 3:51pm

Broadway Flash said: "Will the current cast be on for the current scheduled closing performance?"

Probably, but there has been no official announcement to date.

[Phantour]

Posted: 1/21/23 at 10:14am

Lot666 said: "Phantour said: "Is it wrong I bought tickets to both performances on the day before the 35th anniversary in hopes Ben might want to take off one of those days to rest up? He has wonderful understudies and I hope to catch a couple of them."

I bought a ticket for next Wednesday's matinee for the same reason. I'm REALLY hoping to get Greg or Jeremy (but I'd be very disappointed if I got Ted Keegan, who - to borrow a phrase from Carlotta - "doesn't have the voice!" IMHO).

"

I'm shocked to hear you say that about Ted Keegan. I think he's definitely a strong singer (sounds the same as he did 20 years ago). Or do you like your Phantoms to be more bari-tenors? In that case I could see why you would gravitate towards Greg and Jeremy. 

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 1/21/23 at 11:30am

Phantour said: "Is it wrong I bought tickets to both performances on the day before the 35th anniversary in hopes Ben might want to take off one of those days to rest up? He has wonderful understudies and I hope to catch a couple of them."

Ben has been out two of the last three times I saw the show so I’d say your chances are good.

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 1/21/23 at 1:00pm

Great news, especially since most people I’ve spoken to this last year have commented on how Ben is not their ideal Phantom. Serviceable, but not near my favorites. 

[Phantour]

Posted: 1/22/23 at 8:56am

Now I want to be careful what I wish for with understudies on for Wednesday. I know some sickness is starting to go around the cast so I only want principal actors out if they decided they wanted to rest up, not because they end up getting sick. It's heartbreaking to think anyone in the cast would have to miss the anniversary performance. 

[defenses]

Posted: 1/22/23 at 12:37pm

This video was suggested for me on YouTube today. It made me very sad and squashed the teeny tiny piece of me that was hoping for a closing reversal.