Phantom Closing? — Page 19

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.

What are the odds this extends again?

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 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

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

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!

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.