Phantom Closing? — Page 34

Yesterday was my Phantom day and got to watch both matinee and evening. I, too, was surprised to see Ted as Phantom last night and will admit I preferred Ted’s Performance as Phantom over Ben’s but I still love Ben! I think Ben was just not 100% during the matinee.

As for Merch, they didn’t have size Large for the hoodie and also didn’t have size large for the 35 years tshirt. Not sure if they will replenish them.

Having now seen Phantom 17 times since February 7, with Ben having been on for 15 of them, I can confidently say that no, he’s not been under the weather or anything. He just sounds like this now. His voice doesn’t sound a thing like it used to. It’s sad to hear.

And I was at yesterdays matinee. There really wasn’t much of a difference between his vocal performance at that show and the other 14 ones — only exception is his voice broke a little during the softer part of the All I Ask Of You Reprise.

But listening back to certain bits it was just the usual. I didn’t notice anything wrong by comparison to other shows.

Updated On: 3/26/23 at 07:26 PM

defenses said: "poto19882023 said: "Having now seen Phantom 17 times since February 7, with Ben having been on for 15 of them,"

I’m genuinely curious: Why do you even go? I get that it’s closing and who knows when it will be back, but based on all your posts about Ben’s performance, it seems like you’re not even enjoying yourself."

It's called addiction. I've been wondering that myself, especially with the price of tickets, even the cheapest seats. When I started following Phantom about 5 years ago, I knew fans who had seen the show 50 or more times at that time. I have my own addiction to the show, so far be it for me to criticize, but the $$$$$$. I watch a lot of boots when they show up on YouTube and the RAH25 CD plays much of the time when I'm driving. Maybe if I lived in NYC...nah.

Regarding Ben's voice. Sounds like he's blown it out from all the comments posted here. Saw a recent episode of The Hang (Ramin's podcast) and he was talking about how he was concerned about how working on FG was hurting his voice because of the shouting and where his voice is placed when singing that score. He was interviewing Josh Davis (Beautiful) who in addition to acting/singing and creating gorgeous water colors, works with singers dealing with these issues (although I've heard Ramin recently and he sounds fine to me, with his lower tones better than ever, but I digress).

Bottom line, I'm wondering if Ben, in some of the acting choices he has made and is making as the Phantom now, might be affecting his throat. If he has dealt with covid, this could be having some impact. I would also add that age likely has something to do with challenges - the vocal chords not being as supple as they once were. Sounds like he's trying to be a good soldier to finish out the run - under other circumstances he might have taken a leave for a week or two instead of just a day off here and there. Shame.

defenses said: "Penna2 said: "defenses said: "poto19882023 said: "Having now seen Phantom 17 times since February 7, with Ben having been on for 15 of them,"

I’m genuinely curious: Why do you even go? I get that it’s closing and who knows when it will be back, but based on all your posts about Ben’s performance, it seems like you’re not even enjoying yourself."

I get seeing the show multiple times. I’m not judging that! I’ve seen the show 11 times since December, and I have tickets for three more shows (and I’ll probably see it more than that). But… I like Ben’s performance. I like his non-traditional take on the role, and I haven’t had any issues with his voice. I would not be spending my time and money to see it this many times otherwise. That’s what I don’t understand."

Got it. I just don't understand going to see the same show over and over for any reason with the same actors - in this case, I guess there are a number of change-ups - but that's me. To each his own. I do like the boots. I do hope Ben has not permanently damaged his voice, though. Enjoy.

Where in that reply did I defend every single thing he does? Take a hike.

defenses said: "Penna2 said: "Got it. I just don't understand going to see the same show over and over for any reason with the same actors - in this case, I guess there are a number of change-ups - but that's me. To each his own..”

I completely understand! I saw the same trio my first three shows and it made me really want to see other people haha. I only spent full price on shows where I knew there would be an understudy in one of the roles… except for one show where the deal was too good to pass up and I got a surprise understudy anyway. :) I don’t think there’s another show where you can mix and match leads like this."

True - the show never depended upon a "name" - it was the show itself, which is why I have seen a number of boots - however, my favorite is still RAH25, which was my first experience with POTO. It was just so amazing to me because they went all out with the production. When I saw my first boot I asked where the rest of the chorus was and why was the orchestra so small! (Spoiled)

Ramin had Laird as a guest on his podcast a couple of weeks ago and Laird said he would be happy being with the cast for the rest of his career playing Andre with the occasional stint as the Phantom. Interestingly enough, he said those two characters have the same vocal range - so there is no strain on the voice. I am happy that the understudies are getting a chance to perform. I hope you win the lottery for the last night - I'm sure you have entered.

Penna2 said: "defenses said: "Penna2 said: "defenses said: "poto19882023 said: "Having now seen Phantom 17 times since February 7, with Ben having been on for 15 of them,"

I’m genuinely curious: Why do you even go? I get that it’s closing and who knows when it will be back, but based on all your posts about Ben’s performance, it seems like you’re not even enjoying yourself."

I get seeing the show multiple times. I’m not judging that! I’ve seen the show 11 times since December, and I have tickets for three more shows (and I’ll probably see it more than that). But… I like Ben’s performance. I like his non-traditional take on the role, and I haven’t had any issues with his voice. I would not be spending my time and money to see it this many times otherwise. That’s what I don’t understand."

Got it. I just don't understand going to see the same show over and over for any reason with the same actors - in this case, I guess there are a number of change-ups - but that's me. To each his own. I do like the boots. I do hope Ben has not permanently damaged his voice, though. Enjoy.

"

The beauty of live theater is each performance may be a little different from each other, even if it’s all the same cast.

If you have the means to watch the show, then go for it!

Lot666 said: "Penna2 said: "I have seen a number of boots"

If anyone can point me to any decent post-covid boots that incorporate all the lyric and blocking changes, please DM me! I'm trying to document the changes.

Penna2 said: "Laird said he would be happy being with the cast for the rest of his career playing Andre with the occasional stint as the Phantom."

That's interesting, because he had precisely that job and he chose to leave it for My Fair Lady."

A case of you don't know what you have until you've lost it. He talked about that as well. He knew, but didn't "know" that he really wouldn't be singing in My Fair Lady. That the material was written to be talked/sung - in fact there were no notes written for singing in his score. He was concerned the role hurt his voice because the direction was for quite a bit of shouting. He was very happy to be called back to POTO to fill in.

16 Years Later said: "Loved Jeremy’s last performance Monday with the boat mishap. I can’t believe they didn’t stop the show. Excited to have finally seen a boat malfunction and can scratch that off my Phantom bingo card."

What happened?

This happened at a performance I saw in December too. A stagehand came out and motioned them (he actually had to come out twice....I think they were confused) to get off they boat. They never broke character once and continued singing.

Christine fainted downstage and Ben used the drape from the cracked window frame/wedding Christine to cover Emily. The boat vanished in the blackout and Emily was in the right spot...on the ground, covered in that drape and not Ben's cape.

Updated On: 3/28/23 at 12:38 PM

Is the Telecharge Phantom lottery for the final performance only open to residents of the US? I know some Canadians who want to put their name in the hat and who would gladly make the trip down for the final show, but I'm not sure how the whole thing works...

Not too surprisingly, they've lowered prices on some of the 4/14 benefit tickets, but not the $1500 seats, which are drastically undersold.