Phantom Closing?- Page 42

[clever2]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 12:07am

Preach.

[Lot666]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 1:32am

I could not have been more delighted to learn that Laird Mackintosh would be playing the Phantom tonight, and he was superb. I had always loved him as Andre, but only managed to see him once in the lead and had given up hope of ever seeing him do it again.

Sierra, Ali, and Sarah were another wonderful surprise. I can only imagine what their costumes will ultimately sell for, and as for the Maria Bjornson sketches…well, I’m sure that piece will be well beyond my means.

I have complete and very close-up video of the entire curtain call and auction presentation.

I would be remiss if I did not also mention that Ted Keegan did a very fine job at the 4/12/23 matinee. I had seen him once before and was very disappointed by his Phantom, but perhaps he was unwell at the time because I was pleasantly surprised by him on Wednesday.

After comments heard at the stage door tonight, I can’t wait to see who actually ends up playing the lead on Saturday night!

Updated On: 4/15/23 at 01:32 AM

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 7:07am

I was there last night - what a special night! It was hard to say goodbye to this iconic show and production, but I'm glad I got to go one last time and see the "brilliant original".

Talk about standing the test of time... a show from the 80's that looks and sounds better than many new Broadway shows with modern technology. They just don't make them like this anymore. The overture will always be one of my all time favorite moments of theatre magic.

[poto19882023]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 8:25am

Well, here we are. Final public shows.

Will our final Phantom be either Ted Keegan or Laird Mackintosh? Doubt they'd hire back Laird for just one show. Jeremy said his final performance was definitively Thursday night. Paul and Greg don't want to go on again. And Ben isn't coming back.

Since they were ridiculously unfair to Ted these past two weeks in regards to giving Jeremy so many shows and Ted so few, I'd say Ted is owed a proper definitive final performance. My hope is Ted is given the matinee today at the very least. He deserved to close the production.

[The Scorpion]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 8:33am

Phillyguy said: "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!"

Delighted you got to see the "real deal". What really saddens me is that, as the creatives themselves have repeatedly stress, what made this show special was the marriage of all the different elements. There hasn't been any production that has deviated from the original, including the RAH version, that did it better, so it is such a shame that the RAH is the one they chose to preserve for commercial release. Already I see comments online confusing it with Hal's production. I can only hope the filming they're doing is for commercial release, but given Cameron is hellbent on bringing the butchered production over from London, it doesn't make sense for them to do that.

[clever2]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 8:58am

The Scorpion said: "I can only hope the filming they're doing is for commercial release, but given Cameron is hellbent on bringing the butchered production over from London, it doesn't make sense for them to do that."

I don’t see why not. These people are, let’s face it, money grubbing whores. Why shouldn’t they cash in on a release that would most definitely sell like toilet paper in 2020. The Albert Hall presentation was in no way the real deal, but rather a freaky, bloated bastardization of it. I’ve always had trouble sitting through it. There’s money to be made from releasing this — and it would interfere in no way with the “tribute band” version of the show (as Schumacher’s messy, mundane film did no harm to the original). Cam knows this. 

[Listener]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 10:04am

Lot666 said: "I could not have been more delighted to learn that Laird Mackintosh would be playing the Phantom tonight, and he was superb. I had always loved him as Andre, but only managed to see him once in the lead and had given up hope of ever seeing him do it again.

Sierra, Ali, and Sarah were another wonderful surprise. I can only imagine what their costumes will ultimately sell for, and as for the Maria Bjornson sketches…well, I’m sure that piece will be well beyond my means.

I have complete and very close-up video of the entire curtain call and auction presentation.

I would be remiss if I did not also mention that Ted Keegan did a very fine job at the 4/12/23 matinee. I had seen him once before and was very disappointed by his Phantom, but perhaps he was unwell at the time because I was pleasantly surprised by him on Wednesday.

After comments heard at the stage door tonight, I can’t wait to see who actually ends up playing the lead on Saturday night!"

What were the comments at the stage door? Repeat them! LOL

Which costumes are being auctioned off?

[poto19882023]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 10:20am

Take any comments from the stage door with a grain of salt, the cast likely isn't allowed to say anything -- if they know anything at all, which by most accounts it seems they don't and apparently they haven't heard from Ben at all. People are being quite tight lipped about everything.

They wouldn't have hired Laird back for just one show. The right thing to do would've been to give it to Ted. But nothing we can do about that now.

I'm hoping that, since Jeremy Stolle got to have a definitive final the other night -- he said he knew it was for sure his final afterward -- Ted deserves the same respect. I'm hoping today's matinee will be his.

But we can really only say for sure that it will not be Jeremy, Paul, Greg, or Ben the next shows.

Either way, if it's Ted or Laird, I'm glad the production will be closing with a Phantom who has a long history being with the show, and one that turns in a passionate and excellent performance worthy of closing the production. It's what the show and the fans deserve. Seeing the show with Ted, Jeremy, and now Laird recently makes for such an incredible performance to compliment this amazing company, and the final scene has moved me to a blubbering mess for the first time in ages with them donning the mask.

Updated On: 4/15/23 at 10:20 AM

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 10:24am

poto19882023 said: "Paul and Greg don't want to go on again. And Ben isn't coming back.."

I can’t tell if this is just…Phan behavior, or if you actually have sources for this information.

It sounds like obsessive fan ramblings, especially the Ted/Jeremy bit - Ted Keegan has been employed with the show on and off since the mid-90’s in more than one production. I’m sure he’s a grown professional who’s not whining at the stage door about not going on during a weird period of coverage. This isn’t SMASH.

Anyways - it would be amazing if they filmed the last round of performances for distribution (or even just a cinema stream?), and even better if it was Laird to lead. He’s an incredible Phantom. 

[Phantour]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 10:32am

Lot666 said: "

I would be remiss if I did not also mention that Ted Keegan did a very fine job at the 4/12/23 matinee. I had seen him once before and was very disappointed by his Phantom, but perhaps he was unwell at the time because I was pleasantly surprised by him on Wednesday."

I have been hoping you'd catch Ted one more time. I'm glad to hear that maybe your first performance of his was an off night and he surprised you on Wednesday. I'm also glad you caught Laird too! 
 

 

Updated On: 4/15/23 at 10:32 AM

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 10:33am

ALW is on The Tonight Show on Monday, the cynic in me imagines they announce Phantom going on a big national tour or something along those lines

[poto19882023]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 10:34am

GiantsInTheSky2 said: "poto19882023 said: "Paul and Greg don't want to go on again. And Ben isn't coming back.."

I can’t tell if this is just…Phan behavior, or if you actually have sources for this information.

It sounds like obsessive fan ramblings, especially the Ted/Jeremy bit - Ted Keegan has been employed with the show on and off since the mid-90’s in more than one production. I’m sure he’s a grown professional who’s not whining at the stage door about not going on during a weird period of coverage. This isn’t SMASH.

Anyways - it would be amazing if they filmed the last round of performances for distribution (or even just a cinema stream?), and even better if it was Laird to lead. He’s an incredible Phantom."

Ah I understand where you're coming from feeling that way about my posts and I apologize.

I didn't mean at all to imply Ted was acting that way. He just genuinely wants to play the role whenever he can. He was really keen to go on during Jeremy's week according to a cast member at stage door (fuzzy on whom, I 85% sure it was Greg Mills) and had initially thought he might be getting one that week, which was from Ted himself after seeing Jeremy on April 5.

Those sentiments come from Paul and Greg themselves. Greg is satisfied with the final performance he gave on March 27th, and he also said the other day he knows it means a lot to Ted so he'd rather do his swing track and let Ted go on. I do think its sweet that the cast can see just how much love he has for the role. Apparently whenever he is on a ton of the cast members are watching him from the wings.

Anyway -- Paul is in a similar boat, he had already made peace with having given his final Phantoms back in January.

I understand their standpoints, it makes sense. Going through another "final performance" must be emotionally draining.

Again my apologies for just stating without sourcing. I have been coming to see all of the shows for all but one performance since April 3 hence why I've heard a lot of this stuff. Everyone seems genuinely caught off guard by this situation.

Updated On: 4/15/23 at 10:34 AM

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 10:44am

When was the last time Ben performed?

It's a shame his contract was renewed if this was the way it was going to end. 

[poto19882023]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 11:03am

Ben's final performance was the evening performance on Saturday, April 1 - only for the evening show, he called out of the matinee. He sounded a bit rough on March 31. However I will say that April 1 show was the strongest I'd ever heard him vocally in the role. So him disappearing after that is odd.

Also possibly worth noting that his final two weeks he had to miss a show on both Saturdays in addition to his regular scheduled Mondays off.

[HunterK]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 11:38am

I was there last night as well and it was such a wonderful night. The audience was amazing first of all. I thought it was going to be overboard, but it was contained and yet it was is supportive of the show and the actors. I got welled up many times. The Phantom fans are wonderful! 

The playbills are the Final performance playbills but they had a silver sticker on it that says "Gala Performance and the date" on them. People were going nuts for them at intermission, so ushers brought out the regular playbills for people to take. The speech at the end by Laird and Emilie was beautiful and the way Emilie announced the $650K was just amazing and the theater erupted. What a wonderful moment for the arts. Seeing Sierra and Ali was wonderful! But Sarah Brightman was the icing on the cake., She was so emotional and told the audience how wonderful and special it was to be back at the Majestic. It was just a well-done moment. The items that will be up for auction can be found at:

www.charitybuzz.com/support/phantom

Now, I have to give my 2 cents about this Phantom back forth, after having drinks with a cast member last night and hearing facts, none of this is in stone. Jeremy was given a night off to rest his voice. That says something. I don't know anything about Ted getting "screwed over", but they had to bring Laird in because Ted would not go on last night. This was a fact. I do not know why or what, but Laird was called in the morning to come in and had a rehearsal and he's back. Jeremy was told to be prepared. That is all I know. 

Also, for anyone there last night, the first act was a little rough for Laird. I am just speaking the truth. The end of MOTN and a few other moments were not the Laird I know. I thought there might be an intermission switch. But Act 2 was much better. Emilie I though gave one of her best performances and focused on her musical theatre belt again. Loved it! Everyone else was stellar. 

I counted 8 cameras all together and during intermission someone asked why they were filming (there is always one), and we heard "for the ALW archives and cast and crew." So, you nailed it. 

Overall, it was an unforgettable evening and I cannot imagine what Sunday afternoons performance will be like and what tricks will be happening on the Majestic's stage! 

[The Scorpion]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 11:39am

clever2 said: "The Scorpion said: "I can only hope the filming they're doing is for commercial release, but given Cameron is hellbent on bringing the butchered production over from London, it doesn't make sense for them to do that."

I don’t see why not. These people are, let’s face it, money grubbing whores. Why shouldn’t they cash in on a release that would most definitely sell like toilet paper in 2020. The Albert Hall presentation was in no way the real deal, but rather a freaky, bloated bastardization of it. I’ve always had trouble sitting through it. There’s money to be made from releasing this — and it would interfere in no way with the “tribute band” version of the show (as Schumacher’s messy, mundane film did no harm to the original). Cam knows this."

Yes, but Cam knew there was money to be made from having a professional release of the original Miz, and that didn't happen either (instead, we just got concert after concert after concert). And I don't know why he would want to market a DVD of the full-scale original when in a year's time he is going to be trying to peddle the reduced version as 'bigger and better than ever'. He is surely going to hope that people forget the scale/grandeur of the Hal Prince piece so that they don't notice the difference.

But nonetheless I can only hope you're right, as the RAH thing (which I saw live too) did not do it for me either.

[poto19882023]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 11:47am

HunterK said: "
Now, I have to give my 2 cents about this Phantom back forth, after having drinks with a cast member last night and hearing facts, none of this is in stone. Jeremy was given a night off to rest his voice. That says something. I don't know anything about Ted getting "screwed over", but they had to bring Laird in because Ted would not go on last night. This was a fact. I do not know why or what, but Laird was called in the morning to come in and had a rehearsal and he's back. Jeremy was told to be prepared. That is all I know.

Also, for anyone there last night, the first act was a little rough for Laird. I am just speaking the truth. The end of MOTN and a few other moments were not the Laird I know. I thought there might be an intermission switch. But Act 2 was much better. Emilie I though gave one of her best performances and focused on her musical theatre belt again. Loved it! Everyone else was stellar."

Thank you so much for sharing this info, it gives a lot of insight into the inner workings of yesterdays phantom decision which I had no clue about. It’s absolutely fascinating. I’m now even more curious. Thank you

I noticed a couple moments with Lairds voice here and there but thought overall he was magnificent especially considering the last minute nature of it. Emilie was stellar and her ‘Wishing’ remains my favorite. 

Updated On: 4/15/23 at 11:47 AM

[defenses]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 12:14pm

Ted will be Phantom at the matinee. 

[poto19882023]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 12:20pm

[Voter]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 2:51pm

Per an injury, Ben Crawford will not be returning to the show. He has played his final performance.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 4:30pm

Voter said: "Per an injury, Ben Crawford will not be returning to the show. He has played his final performance."

What injury? Wasn't it announced prior that there would be rotating Phantoms for the final weeks?

[defenses]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 4:35pm

CATSNYrevival said: "Voter said: "Per an injury, Ben Crawford will not be returning to the show. He has played his final performance."

What injury? Wasn't it announced prior that there would be rotating Phantoms for the final weeks?"

Has to be vocal injury based off his last two shows. He barely had a voice.

I don’t remember seeing anything about rotating phantoms. Pretty sure this is an emergency situation. 

[thedrybandit]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 4:37pm

defenses said: "I don’t remember seeing anything about rotating phantoms. Pretty sure this is an emergency situation."

I saw some posts about people wishing they would do something like that, but there was never an announced plan other than the current cast would be finishing the run.

[thedrybandit]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 5:39pm

I've heard from a few people that it'll be Laird tonight. Until the house opens take that with a grain of salt.

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 5:42pm

I know the die-hard fans on here don't mind this revolving door of Phantoms, but, to me, it seems like an unfortunate and messy way to end this 35-year run.