Posted: 4/14/23 at 4:19pm
I can’t believe we’re entering Phantom’s final weekend on Broadway. Sure, you can say the show has been tired and dated, and that it’s been a long time coming, but a Broadway without Phantom just doesn’t feel totally right.
Posted: 4/14/23 at 4:50pm
Any word about who will play the lead at tonight’s benefit performance? Is Ben back on, or might I get lucky and see Greg or Jeremy?
Posted: 4/14/23 at 5:15pm
All I’m going to say is that it isn’t Ben Crawford.
Posted: 4/14/23 at 5:24pm
poto19882023 said: "All I’m going to say is that it isn’t Ben Crawford.”
That’s just mean! 
Posted: 4/14/23 at 5:39pm
Lot666 said: "poto19882023 said: "All I’m going to say is that it isn’t Ben Crawford.”
That’s just mean! "
Gah I’m sorry! I’ll share as soon as the theater lobby doors open since then it’ll be openly confirmed. I just wanted to confirm Ben’s absence as I think we can now lay to rest any chances that he is coming back.
The decision they made will kind of confirm it as well - perhaps maybe they’ll issue a press release with some vague statement about Ben having to bow out due to whatever vague reasons they come up with.
At any rate if you’re there tonight rest assured you will be pleased with the Phantom.
Posted: 4/14/23 at 5:46pm
Very curious in the differences between these final 3 performances. I’ll only be there for one of them, so can’t wait to hear about the others.
Posted: 4/14/23 at 6:02pm
Just guessing here, but I suppose the powers that be heard about Ben’s inconsistencies (or heard it for themselves) and didn’t want to risk the final performance being badly sung, or having to switch another actor into the role during the final intermission, so they may have bought the guy out.
Posted: 4/14/23 at 6:50pm
I’m so curious who it is
Posted: 4/14/23 at 9:04pm
Perfect. Couldn't have made a better choice.
Posted: 4/14/23 at 9:51pm
Posted: 4/14/23 at 9:53pm
Was thinking of trying SRO for Saturday but just saw a location-based Instagram story from earlier today where someone posted along the lines of “Got here at 5:30am and am 13th in line”.
I can only imagine Saturday will be worse and will require 4am or earlier to be safe. Two perfs, yes, but a weekend-day and the final chance at SRO.
Good luck to anyone heading there overnight tonight but I don’t have it in me to do it. Will live vicariously through insta clips and pics 
Posted: 4/14/23 at 10:59pm
Posted: 4/14/23 at 11:25pm
Posted: 4/14/23 at 11:29pm
Updated On: 4/15/23 at 11:29 PM
Posted: 4/14/23 at 11:30pm
I can't believe this is the last weekend. It doesn't feel real at all. So happy its can go out with a bang, but wow will I miss the Majestic's singular look.
Posted: 4/14/23 at 11:32pm
I saw photos of the cameras and I’d put money on them just being for ALW’s archives. They weren’t the ones they’d use if anything would be “released”.
Posted: 4/14/23 at 11:39pm
Posted: 4/14/23 at 11:40pm
Posted: 4/14/23 at 11:56pm
Posted: 4/15/23 at 12:02am
Just from the photos I’ve seen the cameras looked like the ones I’ve seen at several other ALW shows that he’s had filmed, and I think even the first show back from Covid. It would be amazing if they did film for release, though.
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