Phantom Closing?- Page 41
Phantom Closing?
Phantom Closing?#1000
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.
Phantom Closing?#1001
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?
"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene"
- Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage
Phantom Closing?#1003
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! 
"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene"
- Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage
Phantom Closing?#1004
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.
Phantom Closing?#1005
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.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/30/22
Phantom Closing?#1006
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.
Phantom Closing?#1007
Posted: 4/14/23 at 6:50pm
I’m so curious who it is
-Jeff Bowen's worst onstage line flub.
Phantom Closing?#1012
Posted: 4/14/23 at 9:04pmanonanimal1218 said: "It’s Laird apparently"
Perfect. Couldn't have made a better choice.
Phantom Closing?#1013
Posted: 4/14/23 at 9:51pm
Congrats to Laird!
I feel bad for Ben, he's clearly dealing with something, but I doubt this will make headlines. Why issue a press release? The show is ending. We'll see though.
Looking forward to the reports from tonight! Any surprises?
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/30/22
Phantom Closing?#1014
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 
Phantom Closing?#1015
Posted: 4/14/23 at 10:59pm
Simply incredible tonight. This was my first ever Phantom show, having only watched the 25th RAH version.
Sierra and Sarah Brightman both came on stage at curtain call!
Phantom Closing?#1017
Posted: 4/14/23 at 11:25pm
Didn’t sing but they all talked about the auction for charity. Raised $650k from tonight’s ticket sales.
Sarah Brightman signed original Maria’s sketch of the roof top scene/dresses on stage to be auctioned off online.
At the end, all 4 Christines turned with back facing the audience and camera crew came on stage to take a photo of them with audience in the background.
Also I noticed multiple cameras filming the performance tonight. Not sure what the plan with the footage is.
Phantom Closing?#1018
Posted: 4/14/23 at 11:29pm
Some footage of tonight from the IG page of one of the charities benefitting.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CrCp_hOsf9f/
Updated On: 4/15/23 at 11:29 PM
Phantom Closing?#1019
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.
Phantom Closing?#1020
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”.
Phantom Closing?#1021
Posted: 4/14/23 at 11:39pmI thought tonight’s Phantom was excellent. What’s the story with Laird. Is he here for one night only? Did they run out of understudies? I see that he was an understudy and only had that role full time for one week before.
Phantom Closing?#1022
Posted: 4/14/23 at 11:40pm
Seems like everyone has been giving it their all over at the Majestic these last several months. Oh am I glad I caught this before it closes on Sunday.
“You alone have made my song take flight…”
Phantom Closing?#1023
Posted: 4/14/23 at 11:56pmI saw one of the cameras up close. There were several parked about the house. I can’t be sure, but they looked like Alexa minis, which are 100% cameras used to shoot major motion pictures. They shoot up to 8K resolution. At this point, I wouldn’t be so sure, one way or another, what will be done with the footage. However, it’s quite possible they’ll shoot the entire weekend and later release a Rent “final performance” film. Hal’s production should be preserved for all, and perhaps that’s what’s going on. Perhaps.
Phantom Closing?#1024
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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