Phantom Closing? — Page 20

GiantsInTheSky2 said: "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."

I have heard both; some longtime fans absolutely love him and others think he is just okay. I find him serviceable, but I will always welcome the chance to see one of his understudies.

GiantsInTheSky2 said: "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."

I think he's superb (one of the best) when he's in top form, but I think the problem of late has been him going on when he wasn't well. When I last saw him on a Saturday night in November, after having been out the night before, he was still very clearly sick and he should have let Greg Mills do both nights. His voice was nasal and he couldn't hold his notes.

Lot666 said: "GiantsInTheSky2 said: "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."

I think he's superb (one of the best) when he's in top form, but I think the problem of late has been him going on when he wasn't well. When I last saw him on a Saturday night in November, after having been out the night before, he was still very clearly sick and he should have let Greg Mills do both nights. His voice was nasal and he couldn't hold his notes."

I agree. I think he has a unique take on the Phantom which is why he’s pretty divisive. I saw the show for the first time in December, and I’m not sure I would have loved it as much as I did if one of the understudies was doing the part.

Lot666 said: "Phantour said: "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."

I just found his voice weak and he was unable to hit the Phantom's big notes with any power or sustainment.

"

I wonder if you caught him on an off night? Hitting notes and the strength of his voice is not normally an issue for him at all. Like I said, after 20+ years I will hear a clip of his voice and it still sounds in great shape and the same as before. But, we all have our preferences how we like our Phantoms to sound.

Just a heads up to anyone who may be seeing the anniversary performance - covid cases are making their way through the cast since last week so I am not sure who will be on for the anniversary performance. Last night there was an understudy Phantom, Raoul, Meg, Auctioneer, Jeweler, Passarino, Marksman and ballet swings on. Jason Forbach was called back, not sure if he's on for the whole week, so he could cover the Marksman while that actor, Paul A. Scahefer, could go on as Raoul.

Phantour said: "Just a heads up to anyone who may be seeing the anniversary performance - covid cases are making their way through the cast since last week so I am not sure who will be on for the anniversary performance. Last night there was an understudy Phantom, Raoul, Meg, Auctioneer, Jeweler, Passarino, Marksman and ballet swings on. Jason Forbach was called back, not sure if he's on for the whole week, so he could cover the Marksman while that actor, Paul A. Scahefer, could go on as Raoul."

So it seems like you might get your wish for an understudy haha! I just won lottery tickets to tomorrow’s matinee. (This is my informal anniversary show since I’m spending the actual anniversary seeing a former West End Phantom!) I’m a little bummed I might not see Ben but I have tickets for the weekend before closing week so I should get to see him then (pending illness/injury). Crossing my fingers for Stolle if we get an understudy.

Top gross for the week - even beating Hamilton??? When has that happened since Hamilton opened?

defenses said: "Phantour said: "Just a heads up to anyone who may be seeing the anniversary performance - covid cases are making their way through the cast since last week so I am not sure who will be on for the anniversary performance. Last night there was an understudy Phantom, Raoul, Meg, Auctioneer, Jeweler, Passarino, Marksman and ballet swings on. Jason Forbach was called back, not sure if he's on for the whole week, so he could cover the Marksman while that actor, Paul A. Scahefer, could go on as Raoul."

So it seems like you might get your wish for an understudy haha! I just won lottery tickets to tomorrow’s matinee. (This is my informal anniversary show since I’m spending the actual anniversary seeing a former West End Phantom!) I’m a little bummed I might not see Ben but I have tickets for the weekend before closing week so I should get to see him then (pending illness/injury). Crossing my fingers for Stolle if we get an understudy."

Ben's voice was in great shape last night so he should be on, unless he's taking a performance off today to rest up for the anniversary. If there is a Phantom understudy, most likely it will be Jeremy Stolle. Paul is covering Raoul and Ted and Greg are both out of the show this week. There's a potential for Laird Mackintosh, but only if they can find a Levefre cover.

Still floating on cloud nine from earlier! I'm a Broadway newbie, and this is the first show I've seen more than once! It was great that I could focus on smaller details since I actually knew what was going on this time. The first time I saw it, I was so enthralled, and I feel like I don't remember much.

Ben was absolutely decadent. I forgot how much action happens in the front left corner, so I am extremely glad he was in so I could truly enjoy him! His Music of the Night was soooo good today. (I was very close to kicking the chair of the person ahead of me who was looking at her phone during it!!!)

I thought I didn't care for Emilie that much, but I think it's just her Angel of Music. I tend to mostly listen to the first lair, which usually starts with AoM. I think it's vibrato or her head voice or something that doesn't mesh with me - whatever is heavy in that song - because I liked her about 80% of the time.

Okay, I'm rambling now. I'm tempted to get a last-minute ticket to the anniversary tomorrow... What is money? I have tickets for a different show, but I'll see what I can do.

Forgive me if this has been discussed but I've been lurking for a while and didn't see it come up! What are the chances you all think that a pro-shot of the Broadway production will be filmed for release after closing? I feel like this could be a very lucrative move to sell VOD or to partner with a streaming platform. Having the true, historic original product preserved on film seems like a no brainer to me.

Updated On: 1/26/23 at 01:26 PM

lostboys&goldengirls said: "Forgive me if this has been discussed but I've been lurking for a while and didn't see it come up! What are the chances you all think that a pro-shot of the Broadway production will be filmed for release after closing? I feel like this could be a very lucrative move to sell VOD or to partner with a streaming platform. Having the true, historic original product preserved on film seems like a no brainer to me."

While it wouldn't surprise me if there was a surprise filming announcement, prevailing wisdom and rumors point to Mackintosh wanting to downplay the work of the original creative team so he can eventually bring in the scaled back production that's currently running in London. Filming and distributing it now would give too many people access to a means of comparing the two.

Jordan Catalano said: "One of my favorite TikTokers Bryan the Business Analyst says he thinks the show might extend one more time, looking at these January numbers."

Not sure what to think about this, Jakey. When the extension to April was first announced, the NYT reported that Mackintosh said no further extensions.

If they really are extending again though, good for them!

I would be surprised if we see it reopen, no matter what physical production, be it the scaled back or entirely new, before the time required to be eligible for the Best Revival Tony (I think that's currently three years).

Penna, the idea that the show is closing due to low ticket sales has been completely debunked in this thread and others many times. No reason to rehash all that again.

The 25th anniversary DVD, while super fancy, was not the original production but rather a loosely staged concert. So there certainly might be people who would love a recorded version of this last original Prince/Bjornson Phantom that's left in the world before it's gone forever. That being said, there are some fairly good full shows recordings out there to watch already, but who knows when/if they'll be taken down.

Also, I don't think Mackintosh cards about winning a revival Tony at this point. He is doing everything he can to "mask" the fact the original London production is now closed and the current one is brand new. So WHEN the new version does open in New York, I can see it as more or less the first stop on a new North American tour. It'll stay in New York for a year or two. It'll be billed as the Brilliant Original. It may or may not be at the Majestic, which is really irrelevant.

And I do not expect any further extensions. I'm shocked we even got this one extension, being that the whole reason to shut the show down was to cut out Prince and Bjornson and replace them with Seth & Co. Honestly I'm still surprised the show didn't close the night Harold Prince died. We are extraordinarily lucky it lasted as long as it has, considering how aggressively Cameron has closed his original 1980's shows lately. And for the record, if it had not announced a closing, it would be in for a rough winter, but it would have survived the pandemic once international tourists came back in force.