Phantom Closing? — Page 28

Thanks, guys - accepted my ticket, it’s row BB, seat 14 (partial-view house right seat, second row). Yes, I did win the 3 PM draw.

Can’t wait to see Greg Mills and Julia Udine as my Phantom and Christine!

Also, thank you MemorableUserName for your help in some of the Broadway review threads. Always appreciated!

Updated On: 2/26/23 at 06:49 PM

So that was nice! Upon my first(!) ever live viewing, I have to say Phantom's in quite good shape for its home stretch on Broadway. I was in the very last seat in the second row, off to the right; I only missed one or two things (for one, the Phantom's "Masquerade" Red Death entrance at the top of the stairs).

Greg and Julia were both wonderful tonight, and Paul Adam Schaefer makes a solid Raoul. Scott Mikita was also on for Monsieur André — I felt a bit disappointed to have missed Nehal because I didn't see Flying Over Sunset live, but Scott was hilarious.

I didn't catch most of the changes mentioned in enormous detail throughout the reopening night thread for this show (as I wouldn't call myself a huge Phan), but I noticed the new stagings we were talking about before the title song and "Masquerade." I also caught "Be my guest, sir" in the final scene.

Six swings were on, for four ensemblists, a ballerina, and the wardrobe mistress / confidante.

I think this score is the pinnacle of Andrew Lloyd Webber's greatness, along with Jesus Christ Superstar. To hear it played by that 27-piece orchestra from so close...wow. The big arias and iconic moments were beautifully realized all evening, and Andrew did some nice (if underrated) operatic pastiche work for the shows within the show.

I couldn't believe Kristen Blodgette conducted tonight! I assumed she had moved on from Phantom once she got deep into the rehearsal / tech process for Bad Cinderella, so it was nice to see her wave the stick on her "day off." She's also very sweet and I hope to catch her in Belleville soon.

Show began tonight at 8:04, and by the end of the exit music, it had lasted a few minutes shorter than the listed 2:30 runtime.

I still can't believe this "brilliant original" is coming to an end very soon in New York. It surely won't be the same without Björnson, Prince, and Lynne's immense contributions, and with the reduced orchestration.

All in all, I'm glad I saw this at long last. If the Broadway digital lottery and rush gods stay on my side, I feel like I could be in for an interesting stretch.

Updated On: 2/27/23 at 11:53 PM

defenses said: "BorisTomashevsky said: "What must the audience think when the title song click track starts and the Phantom suddenly sounds strong and healthy?"

FWIW, if you're sitting in the theater (not at home comparing it to his older stuff), it doesn't sound out of place."

I suspect you're right and I am planning to enjoy myself no matter who is on when I go to see the show in a few weeks. It is a bit of a shame that we're (myself included, unfortunately) focusing on the negative as this grand old broad of a show makes her final curtain calls.

poto19882023 said: "the 2018 vs. 2023 comparison clip that was removed may or may not now potentially be found on YouTube"

Don't know what I'm doing wrong, but I can't seem to find it.

I hear what others are saying about Ben and it does pain me to hear negative things being said about this show on its deathbed. I have seen Ben many times before and after the shutdown and I still enjoy his performance, especially his strong ending to MOTN. Not every Phantom can carry that note out slow lush and full and still hit the final T in NIGHT hard but Ben does it every time I see him.

I appreciate some positivity around here! I try not to respond when there are valid criticisms, but some of these comments get really nasty (like that gross one that brought up his personal life).

Anyway… anyone seeing Laird as Phantom on Monday or Elizabeth as Christine on Wednesday?

thedrybandit said: "defenses said: "Anyway… anyone seeing Laird as Phantom on Monday or Elizabeth as Christine on Wednesday?"

Hoping to see Welch on Wednesday!"

I'm so excited to see her! I have my tickets for Wednesday but will probably have to do last-minute StubHub for Monday. I went to the box office to see what was available, and she offered me back left orchestra for $250. Oof, these tickets are hurting my credit card.

yahyahyah said: "Does anyone have updated understudy dates for the remaining weeks?"

Elizabeth Welch is the only other Christine scheduled. She will be on this Wednesday at 8 pm. Every other show will have Emilie or Julia.

Phantom schedule:
3/6 Laird Mackintosh
3/13 Ted Keegan
3/20 Jeremy Stolle
3/27 Greg Mills
4/3 Ted Keegan

Well. They were already sold out. That was horrifically embarrassing. I feel like an idiot.

For those who know the weekly trends, does Ben usually do all his scheduled shows? Or are there random call-outs? I’m hoping Laird gets another Phantom after tonight.

If anyone wants to see Elizabeth Welch tomorrow night and doesn’t have tickets yet, I have two extra tickets I’m selling!

What a beautiful article about Phantom's pit musicians. Thank you for posting, Taffy.

This is really making me want to squeeze one more weekend seeing Phantom! Ugh it would be so financially irresponsible but then again there won't be more, if any, Broadway trips after Phantom closes so maybe I should. There are new shows I want to see too but I can't justify seeing a new show while Phantom is still here.

Updated On: 3/9/23 at 11:17 AM