Phantom Closing? — Page 23

Phantour said: "I agree with this strategy! I have done it for friends who were looking for a specific date, but it was sold out. I kept looking and things would open up. This also worked for me for the anniversary performance. The night before I was in rear mezz and it wasn't the best experience so I didn't want to sit there again for the anniversary as I booked. I saw a side front orchestra seat open up the day of for $244 (a bargain with rear orchestra having seats at $400+ a few weeks back) and I was able to call Telecharge and order the new ticket and get my previous ticket refunded.

As for the understudy schedule - what is going on with Monday, April 10? I swear tickets were on sale for it before and we have listed Paul on for Phantom. However, when you go on telecharge now, the date doesn't show a performance option. Perhaps it will open up again soon?"

Ok so this got me thinking, should I/could I potentially go ahead and purchase one of the cheapest seats now for April 3 to see Ted, and then as it gets closer to the date or even on the day of, if I see a better seat open up for that performance at a comparable price, or a not so terrible one, I could then call and get it exchanged? If that could work then thats what I'll do just to make sure this is a sure thing because I don't want to miss this final opportunity.

Updated On: 2/9/23 at 11:11 PM

martinsmithfan said: "Phantour said: "Iagree with this strategy! I have done it for friends who were looking for a specific date, but it was sold out. I kept looking and things would open up. This also worked for me for the anniversary performance. The night before I was in rear mezz and it wasn't the best experience so I didn't want to sit there again for the anniversary as I booked. I saw a side front orchestra seat open up the day of for $244 (a bargain with rear orchestra having seats at $400+ a few weeks back) and I was able to call Telecharge and order the new ticket and get my previous ticket refunded.

As for the understudy schedule - what is going on with Monday, April 10? I swear tickets were on sale for it before and we have listed Paul on for Phantom. However, when you go on telecharge now, the date doesn't show a performance option. Perhaps it will open up again soon?"

Ok so this got me thinking, should I/could I potentially go ahead and purchase one of the cheapest seats now for April 3 to see Ted, and then as it gets closer to the date or even on the day of, if I see a better seat open up for that performance at a comparable price, or a not so terrible one, I could then call and get it exchanged? If that could work then thats what I'll do just to make sure this is a sure thing because I don't want to miss this final opportunity."

I think that's a good idea. I have heard some phone agents may be reluctant to exchange so if that happens, call again and try another agent, lol.

FYI, Ben was out last night and has been out the last two Fridays. They didn't seem scheduled, so I'm not sure what's up. I'll keep an eye on it since I'd like to see another Phantom and can't go on Mondays. I watched Jeremy Stolle's Instagram live to try to get more info, but Jeremy, Laird, and Paul only confirmed their Monday dates.

Ben out again? Time to bring on Ramin

defenses said: No, thank you."

I agree. If Ben were to leave the show early, I rather see one of all of his understudies fill out the role until it ends since they deserve it! I feel with the way Ramin is hyping this secret, it's going to be for a new production of Phantom or Love Never Dies.

Phantour said: "defenses said:No, thank you."

I agree. If Ben were to leave the show early, I rather see one of all of his understudies fill out the role until it ends since they deserve it! I feel with the way Ramin is hyping this secret, it's going to be for a new production of Phantom or Love Never Dies."

Same. There are very few names who I think would replace Ben if he weren't the final principal. Ramin is not one of them. (Plus, I would have expected an announcement already.)

CATSNYrevival said: "Why would there be a new production of Love Never Dies? Where did that rumor start?"

It's all thanks to Ramin's videos! The mask in the first video is apparently his LND mask, which made people wonder about LND.

Maybe they cut it since there's the final not-available-for-sale performance on Sunday the 16th and doing one on the 10th would give them 9 shows that week?

defenses said: "Phantour said: "Paul A. Schaefer checked with management and confirmed to me in a DM he will not be going on as the Phantom on April 10th. There is no performance on that day. Whether they alter that and make it a special, invite performance, who knows?!"

Thanks for the update! Poor guy. At least he already had a chance to say goodbye to the role.

Plot twist: There will be an announcement that there will be a show on that day... and Ramin will be the Phantom.

(I'm only joking, I promise!!! :) )"

I wouldn't be surprised if Ramin did perform in that show. Makes sense. Would love to see him be able to add that Phantom credential to his resume.

I’m curious what everyone’s thoughts are on Ben Crawford’s Phantom?

Also,
Thank you everyone for all your replies and suggestions to help me with the dilemma I was in, it means a lot and was really helpful.

Very happy ending to this story, I was venting on the phone with my grandma about that performance I attended and what I was trying to plan to do for April 3—and she offered to cover the price of the ticket for April 3 as a gift.

I feel incredibly blessed that I’ll get this opportunity to get to see a legendary old school Phantom for my final visit to the Broadway production. And I’m not letting anyone ruin it for me this time.

Updated On: 2/11/23 at 10:00 PM

Fosse76 said: "MemorableUserName said: "Maybe they cut it since there's the final not-available-for-sale performance on Sunday the 16th and doing one on the 10th would give them 9 shows that week?"

Are there 9 performances that week? Aside from Sunday, April 16th and Monday the 10th, there is also no performance on Friday the 14th. There are only 6 performances available for sale, as of now."

I was going by this page, which does list one:

https://us.thephantomoftheopera.com/

Updated On: 2/12/23 at 12:45 AM

martinsmithfan said: "I’m curious what everyone’s thoughts are on Ben Crawford’s Phantom?

Ben is solid in the role, but to me, I wouldn't say he excels in it. He has a strong voice, but the vowel placement is a bit odd and he can get into a "Shrek" voice at times. To me, he can be really on or he can go through the motions of a particular scene. However, he usually brings his A game when it comes to the Final Lair.

martinsmithfan said: "I’m curious what everyone’s thoughts are on Ben Crawford’s Phantom?"

First off, yay for your grandma! Grandmas are the best!

As for Ben, I am SUPER biased since he's the only Phantom I’ve seen (and might end up being the only one I see the way things are going). I had very little interest in seeing Phantom until it was closing. I won the lottery in December and didn't expect much, but I fell in love for various reasons. There’s something about his performance that clicks with me. His Phantom is super dramatic, and I think he can pick up some of the more "humorous" elements of the Phantom that others may miss. I can see why a lot of people may not like him, though, if they’re used to a different style of Phantom.

As for his voice, I absolutely adore his voice. I never noticed his “accent” until started falling down the Phantom fandom rabbit hole. I always assumed his diction was due to "opera vowels" (and I just saw some comment the other day elsewhere that said he sounded like he was trained by an Italian opera singer).

My only “criticism” is that his earlier stuff (caveat: I’ve only seen/heard in boots) is a lot different. He’s much more toned down now. I don’t know whose decision that was, but I wish I had a time machine to see him and Ali in 2018!

tl;dr dude made me a fan of him and the show!