Phantom Closing?- Page 32

[The Scorpion]

Posted: 3/16/23 at 12:27pm

g.d.e.l.g.i. said: "QueenAlice said: "Could somebody point me to a description of how the new London production differs from what is currently on Broadway?"

Here you go:

I wouldn't rely too much on that YouTube video because the vlogger doesn't know much about either production. There are better descriptions on Tumblr. I also posted one here on this board when the downscaled London version first opened. Another 'downscale' not mentioned is that, beyond the costumes, the make-up has been vastly simplified. Have a look at pics of the Phantom now in London: the deformity is reduced, and Christopher Tucker's idea of an upper lip against which the Phantom should pull has been discarded. It's a shell of itself.
 

 

 

 

[poto19882023]

Posted: 3/16/23 at 12:35pm

defenses said: "Tickets for the benefit performance go on sale tomorrow"

Oh God. I was going to do my normal arriving at the box office at around 9:20AM to get standing room for tomorrow night but this is probably going to make it crazy at the box office tomorrow…guess I need to aim for much earlier - then I can get a ticket for both tomorrow night and the 14th. Perhaps I’ll get there 8:30AM instead?

[Phantour]

Posted: 3/16/23 at 12:43pm

I've heard a couple stories of the box office agents being grumpy lately. I can only imagine what they will be like tomorrow when they open up the box office, I don't know which side to wish good luck to... 

Updated On: 3/16/23 at 12:43 PM

[Piparoo]

Posted: 3/17/23 at 10:08am

Tickets for the April 14 charity performance are currently on sale on Telecharge. $150-$1500

[poto19882023]

Posted: 3/17/23 at 10:14am

Got to the box office at 7:55AM, first in line. There was not any sort of significant line there at all. Got my SRO for tonight and a box seat for the charity performance on April 14!

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 3/17/23 at 10:16am

Piparoo said: "Tickets for the April 14 charity performance are currently on sale on Telecharge. $150-$1500"

THANK YOU! I had not planned to see this again prior to closing, but I snagged a rear mezzanine seat for this. This will be an emotional night for sure.

[Piparoo]

Posted: 3/17/23 at 10:17am

poto19882023 said: "Got to the box office at 7:55AM, first in line. There was not any sort of significant line there at all. Got my SRO for tonight and a box seat for the charity performance on April 14!"

Nice! Do you mind me asking the price on the box seat for April 14?

[poto19882023]

Posted: 3/17/23 at 10:32am

Piparoo said: "poto19882023 said: "Got to the box office at 7:55AM, first in line. There was not any sort of significant line there at all. Got my SRO for tonight and a box seat for the charity performance on April 14!"

Nice! Do you mind me asking the price on the box seat for April 14?"

$175!

[Lot666]

Posted: 3/17/23 at 10:51am

Sales for April 14 are certainly going a LOT slower than they did when April 15 went on sale. Those prices appear to be a major deterrent. I'll be there, but I'm embarrassed to admit what I paid for my ticket.

[Phantour]

Posted: 3/17/23 at 11:06am

Lot666 said: "Sales for April 14 are certainly going a LOT slower than they did when April 15 went on sale. Those prices appear to be a major deterrent. I'll be there, but I'm embarrassed to admit what I paid for my ticket."

I wonder if it's because most fans already got tickets for the 15th or maybe holding out if any extra tickets become available to the general public for the final performance (after alumni RSVP). I went on a little after 10 AM and was surprised to see some rows already grayed out. I have a feeling some tickets are going to be put on hold and perhaps reduce in price closer to the performance. Or they are holding them for special VIPs? 

 

[saxpower]

Posted: 3/17/23 at 1:05pm

A lot of this is true, but it’s sort of like robbing Peter to pay Paul. First, the salary of the actors argument is not very valid here, Aside from a few people who may have been with the current production for a while, they don’t just pay young people less, and there are still young people coming and going from the current production. This is not really a valid point in the big picture of a budget. Yes, they can automate, but they have to pay for all new systems for that, as well as new lights, costumes, props, etc., and while they will pay less in royalties to the old creatives they’re still going to pay royalties to the new creatives. Also, it’s not going to be any cheaper to rent a theatre or to pay a show’s weekly costs in two years. So yeah, if the new production were to run for a very long time, they’d eventually save some money, but that’s a pretty big gamble to assume an immediate revival would have the kind of longevity required for this to pay off."

Remember that Cameron Mackentosh's aim in "close then open a new production" scenario is to stop having to pay the original creative team or their estates.   A reopened Phantom without those financial obligations will let him make more money off the production- likely more than enough to offset the costs involved,  Yes, he'd have to pay new creatives but he can just hire folks who will take less than whatever Prince, Lynne, et al were getting, 

However, opening the new production too quickly could cause Mackintosh to have some legal issues.  At least in the US, parties to a contract must act in "good faith".  If the new show opens too quickly it gets harder to justify a "the production was not profitable" argument, especially given the costs you cite (plus the cost of moving out of the Majestic AND presumably restoring it too its original condition).   Any new production has to wait long enough for there to be a reasonable argument that there is again enough demand for the show to justify reopening. 

While it flies in the face of the above- one thought did occur to me regarding reopening.  A new "Phantom" would be the kind of show the Nederlanders might want to reopen the Palace- any updates when it will be ready? 

[nativenewyorker2]

Posted: 3/17/23 at 6:02pm

Anyone know how/when to get box seats and how much they cost?

[Phillyguy]

Posted: 3/17/23 at 7:47pm

Got my center orchestra seats for the 14th. This will be my first time seeing the Phantom live. At least the tix will go to good causes. 
 

Seems like tix are still available. 

Updated On: 3/17/23 at 07:47 PM

[Penna2]

Posted: 3/17/23 at 8:41pm

Dylan Smith4 said: "ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "I don't know if he has any new shows in the pipeline either."

 He's had a successful career and maybe it's time to retire. That's just me."

Thank goodness it's just you. Success or not, ALW has created some of the most incredible music of our lifetimes. Not every piece of work was a winner theatrically, but people still love the music - which is his primary contribution. Willing to stick your neck out with a new project takes courage. I suspect he might have some new ideas up his sleeve.

 

[kdogg36]

Posted: 3/18/23 at 10:21am

Penna2 said: "I suspect he might have some new ideas up his sleeve."

There's some discussion of this in a recent Washington Post article, including some grousing about whether he'd be allowed to write Evita today since he's not from Argentina. 

[Penna2]

Posted: 3/18/23 at 4:44pm

kdogg36 said: "Penna2 said: "I suspect he might have some new ideas up his sleeve."

There's some discussion of this in a recentWashington Postarticle, including some grousing about whether he'd be allowed to writeEvitatoday since he's not from Argentina."

He's right on the mark about Evita today. I'm not sure about Bad Cinderella being his saving grace as a theatrical piece, but I've heard some people say they like the music. A anxious to hear what he comes up with for the coronation. I love his Pie Jesu and I am always either humming or singing something from Phantom or Love Never Dies. The man still has the music in him. 

[MSecaur]

Posted: 3/18/23 at 5:03pm

kdogg36 said: "Penna2 said: "I suspect he might have some new ideas up his sleeve."

There's some discussion of this in a recent Washington Post article, including some grousing about whether he'd be allowed to write Evita today since he's not from Argentina."

What I find far more interesting about the Washington Post interview is the quote from Andrew Lloyd Webber regarding Phantom: "The truth of the matter is that 'Phantom' does not need to close in New York at all."

Even assuming the Majestic is genuinely overdue for a refresh, it feels to me like the renovation is being used to try and justify closing the production down completely rather than simply put a pause on the show while things are fixed up.

Honestly, given the fact that practically every show since September has been SRO, Cameron Mackintosh would be smarter to boost the base price of the tickets to try and make up for whatever increased costs there might be and just let the current show keep going. I for one wouldn't be willing to part with $300+ a ticket for a revival with reduced orchestra, sets, costumes, cast, etc., but I would absolutely do the same for the show as it currently exists.

[chernjam]

Posted: 3/18/23 at 5:08pm

MSecaur said: "
What I find far more interesting about the Washington Post interview is the quote from Andrew Lloyd Webber regarding Phantom: "The truth of the matter is that 'Phantom' does not need to close in New York at all."

Even assuming the Majestic is genuinely overdue for a refresh, it feels to me like the renovation is being used to try and justify closing the production down completely rather than simply put a pause on the show while things are fixed up.

Honestly, given the fact that practically every show since September has been SRO, Cameron Mackintosh would be smarter to boost the base price of the tickets to try and make up for whatever increased costs there might be and just let the current show keep going. I for one wouldn't be willing to part with $300+ a ticket for a revival with reduced orchestra, sets, costumes, cast, etc., but I would absolutely do the same for the show as it currently exists."

I completely agree with you.  This was the most direct quote from ALW hinting what we all assumed was the case that this was a CM decision, not his.  Which is why I'm curious if a future production could be solely produced by RUG?
At this point, I wouldn't be shocked if they renovate the Majestic over the next year and then POTO reopens it

[bdn223]

Posted: 3/18/23 at 5:59pm

chernjam said: "MSecaur said: "
What I find far more interesting about the Washington Post interview is the quote from Andrew Lloyd Webber regarding Phantom: "The truth of the matter is that 'Phantom' does not need to close in New York at all."

Even assuming the Majestic is genuinely overdue for a refresh, it feels to me like the renovation is being used to try and justify closing the production down completely rather than simply put a pause on the show while things are fixed up.

Honestly, given the fact that practically every show since September has been SRO, Cameron Mackintosh would be smarter to boost the base price of the tickets to try and make up for whatever increased costs there might be and just let the current show keep going. I for one wouldn't be willing to part with $300+ a ticket for a revival with reduced orchestra, sets, costumes, cast, etc., but I would absolutely do the same for the show as it currently exists."

I completely agree with you. This was the most direct quote from ALW hinting what we all assumed was the case that this was a CM decision, not his. Which is why I'm curious if a future production could be solely produced by RUG?
At this point, I wouldn't be shocked if they renovate the Majestic over the next year and then POTO reopens it"


I have heard through the grape vine Cabaret is taking over the Majestic to save on renovation costs. 

[defenses]

Posted: 3/19/23 at 7:40pm

chernjam said: "I completely agree with you. This was the most direct quote from ALW hinting what we all assumed was the case that this was a CM decision, not his."

Especially combined with what we recently learned about his son's health. If he didn't have that going on, I'm curious if this closure would be happening the way it is now.

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 3/19/23 at 8:51pm

Just curious, can someone explain why having the Cabaret revival at the Majestic would reduce renovation costs?  Thanks.

[yahyahyah]

Posted: 3/20/23 at 12:40am

As someone who saw the Cabaret revival in London:

1) There isn’t anything significantly different or that interesting about this interpretation. Was it enjoyable? Sure. The Mendes version was a landmark interpretation. This doesn’t reinvent that wheel. 

2) It’s in a tiny intimate venue that you could fit like 5x over into the Majestic. The venue in London built audience seating into the “backstage” of the original theatre, effectively making it an “in the round” production.  Again, the current West End revival is a small production in staging and design. I cannot imagine it fairing well in the Majestic. I’m taking this “intel” with a grain of salt. The Belasco, remodeled? Sure. I’m pretty sure half the interest in this production is the intimate nature—which would be zero in the balcony of the Majestic.

But what do I know! No inside knowledge on this, just my take from having spent time in both theatres. 

[Lot666]

Posted: 3/20/23 at 1:36pm

What are they going to do with all those open seats for the "benefit" performance? They are not moving at those prices.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 3/20/23 at 1:49pm

bdn223 said: "chernjam said: "MSecaur said: "
What I find far more interesting about the Washington Post interview is the quote from Andrew Lloyd Webber regarding Phantom: "The truth of the matter is that 'Phantom' does not need to close in New York at all."

Even assuming the Majestic is genuinely overdue for a refresh, it feels to me like the renovation is being used to try and justify closing the production down completely rather than simply put a pause on the show while things are fixed up.

Honestly, given the fact that practically every show since September has been SRO, Cameron Mackintosh would be smarter to boost the base price of the tickets to try and make up for whatever increased costs there might be and just let the current show keep going. I for one wouldn't be willing to part with $300+ a ticket for a revival with reduced orchestra, sets, costumes, cast, etc., but I would absolutely do the same for the show as it currently exists."

I completely agree with you. This was the most direct quote from ALW hinting what we all assumed was the case that this was a CM decision, not his. Which is why I'm curious if a future production could be solely produced by RUG?
At this point, I wouldn't be shocked if they renovate the Majestic over the next year and then POTO reopens it"


I have heard through the grape vine Cabaret is taking over the Majestic to save on renovation costs."

 

You heard wrong.

 

 

[nativenewyorker2]

Posted: 3/20/23 at 2:05pm

JSquared2 said: "bdn223 said: "chernjam said: "MSecaur said: "
What I find far more interesting about the Washington Post interview is the quote from Andrew Lloyd Webber regarding Phantom: "The truth of the matter is that 'Phantom' does not need to close in New York at all."

Even assuming the Majestic is genuinely overdue for a refresh, it feels to me like the renovation is being used to try and justify closing the production down completely rather than simply put a pause on the show while things are fixed up.

Honestly, given the fact that practically every show since September has been SRO, Cameron Mackintosh would be smarter to boost the base price of the tickets to try and make up for whatever increased costs there might be and just let the current show keep going. I for one wouldn't be willing to part with $300+ a ticket for a revival with reduced orchestra, sets, costumes, cast, etc., but I would absolutely do the same for the show as it currently exists."

I completely agree with you. This was the most direct quote from ALW hinting what we all assumed was the case that this was a CM decision, not his. Which is why I'm curious if a future production could be solely produced by RUG?
At this point, I wouldn't be shocked if they renovate the Majestic over the next year and then POTO reopens it"


I have heard through the grape vine Cabaret is taking over the Majestic to save on renovation costs."



You heard wrong.



"

I heard it thru the grapevine= I wrongly believe the sweaty testicles