Phantom Closing?- Page 43

[defenses]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 6:04pm

TaffyDavenport said: "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."

It hasn’t been handled the best way, especially for more casual theatergoers. I heard several comments over the last week about how weird it is the “main Phantom” isn’t in so close to the closure. 

[clever2]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 6:15pm

Trust me. Even the sanest of Phans would be more than supportive if they chose to extend the run until they can get this sorted. By all means. 

Updated On: 4/15/23 at 06:15 PM

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 6:17pm

Can confirm from Howard Mcgillian he will be there “especially for the second act”   And it is true that Ramin, Hugh panaro, Sarah brightman, Sarah Boggess, Ali, will be there.  Whether or not for a performance it’s unknown.  Though Ted had said today there will be a “much larger than normal curtain call” 

[anonanimal1218]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 6:32pm

Is there anything anyone’s heard about tonight? Or just a normal show? 

[poto19882023]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 6:45pm

Theatrefanboy1 said: "Can confirm from Howard Mcgillian he will be there “especially for the second act” And it is true that Ramin, Hugh panaro, Sarah brightman, Sarah Boggess, Ali, will be there. Whether or not for a performance it’s unknown. Though Ted had said today there will be a “much larger than normal curtain call”"

For tonight? Or tomorrow? I’d like if they did something special for the final public show tonight since so few fans actually get to be there tomorrow.

Ted was incredible at the matinee. Julia started crying very hard after ‘Wishing’, which she got a very long standing ovation for - it was a beautiful moment. 
 

Excited for tonight. Should be Laird. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 6:54pm

Confirmed tonight will be Laird. 

[anonanimal1218]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 7:28pm

According to usher tonight’s just a normal performance, nothing crazy planned

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 8:30pm

MannPhan24601 said: "Poor Ben but I guess allegedly karma for cheating on his pregnant wife for the girl who played Meg according to rumors ?"

I didn’t know anything about this but it makes sense now that I remember checking his Instagram a couple of years ago, and he was suddenly with a new woman and having a kid. Wasn’t sure how that timeline happened but your post makes sense. 

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 9:02pm

MannPhan24601 said: "Poor Ben but I guess allegedly karma for cheating on his pregnant wife for the girl who played Meg according to rumors ?"

Kind of nuts to just throw this out here with zero context or further info or sources. Phans are wild. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 10:27pm

I haven't been keeping up with all the news of who is playing the title role, beyond that Ben Crawford has been out since April 1 –– would someone mind doing a quick explanation of why there's so much hubbub?

[Phantom4ever]

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

Speaking of ushers, when I was at the show this week, one of the ushers said "well now that the secret's out that we're not actually going anywhere you guys should be a lot happier!"  All I could do is roll my eyes at this never ending revolving door gossip mill.  That I contribute to as well. :)

[Chase Miller]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 10:38pm

This thread is wild.

[clever2]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 10:40pm

Chase Miller said: "This thread is wild."

Yeah, it’s a good read. 

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 11:02pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "I haven't been keeping up with all the news of who is playing the title role, beyond that Ben Crawford has been out since April 1 –– would someone mind doing a quick explanation of why there's so much hubbub?"

Short answer: the lead actor who's been featured in all the promotional materials--including a music video released this week and an interview released today--disappeared in the final two weeks of the show with no explanation or acknowledgment from the show or the actor, and it's been a guessing game to see which cover would go on, including for the final show. Despite four covers for the role in the current cast, they brought back someone who left the show last month, increasing the guessing game.

Shorter answer: Theater board loves drama.

[Wick3]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 11:07pm

Phantom4ever said: "Speaking of ushers, when I was at the show this week, one of the ushers said "well now that the secret's out that we're not actually going anywhere you guys should be a lot happier!" All I could do is roll my eyes at this never ending revolving door gossip mill. That I contribute to as well. :)"

BTW, since Phantom has been doing amazingly well in the grosses ever since its closing announcement, do you think the cast/crew/ushers will get a bonus compensation when the show closes tomorrow? Or are the producers not into giving bonuses?

 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 11:14pm

The audience wouldn’t leave the theatre tonight, staying in place and applauding while the chandelier was reset to its post-show hanging spot. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 11:17pm

I want to say that it was kinda sh*tty for all of us to stand there clapping for something like 15 minutes and they had absolutely nothing planned for the end of the show - the final performance* the fans could go to. No speech from any of the original creatives who were in the audience, not even a quick wave and “thank you all for coming”. The cast had to make stuff up on the fly and for a show that was excellent and everyone had a great time at, there was palpable disappointment walking out. 

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 11:17pm

Wick3 said: "Phantom4ever said: "Speaking of ushers, when I was at the show this week, one of the ushers said "well now that the secret's out that we're not actually going anywhere you guys should be a lot happier!" All I could do is roll my eyes at this never ending revolving door gossip mill. That I contribute to as well. :)"

BTW, since Phantom has been doing amazingly well in the grosses ever since its closing announcement, do you think the cast/crew/ushers will get a bonus compensation when the show closes tomorrow? Or are the producers not into giving bonuses?

"

this place is hilarious, did you even read what how you wrote sounded out loud? 

 

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 11:19pm

I would love to see them re-setting the chandelier! I get so excited every time it goes back up at intermission even though I've seen it 90 times. Dang.  I mean I got so excited. Dang!   

[chernjam]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 11:22pm

As a huge ALW fan - I'm embarrassed that its been easily 20 years since I saw Phantom onstage in NY.  I saw it by pretty minor standards on this board, only 4 times - although I have multiple recordings and the movie (which amazing how they completely diss now as a "flop" - c'mon it wasn't the "Cats" movie)  It was the kind of thing that I always thought would be there and I would get back to "soon."  Even with the initial announcement, I was pretty convinced it would be around at least through the summer.  And then with ticket prices going through the roof and selling out, it just didn't entice me to get into the city.

In spite of that, it's strange that I've been still glued to all the reports and found myself moved by the different videos.  Truly this was more than just a show.  35 + years  wow...
"don't cry that its over; smile that it happened"

[The8re phan]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 11:29pm

It's over now.......... the music of the night

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 11:37pm

The longest-running show in Broadway history, with 35 years, and they couldn't come up with a single thing for the final public performance? This whole weekend should have been filled with celebratory events, but, instead, they're going out with a whimper, except for the ticket prices, of course. Even last night's gala sounded like they could have done more, but I'm sure they'll make up for it tomorrow, when the only paying people in the building will be a limited number of fans. I thought I would regret not going, but now I'm glad that I didn't give them any of my money leading up to closing, and my great memories of seeing the show since 1988 are still intact.

Updated On: 4/15/23 at 11:37 PM

[QueenTwinnied]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 11:44pm

TaffyDavenport said: "The longest-running show in Broadway history, with 35 years, and they couldn't come up with a single thing for the final public performance? This whole weekend should have been filled with celebratory events, but, instead, they're going out with a whimper, except for the ticket prices, of course. Even last night's gala sounded like they could have done more. I'm sure they'll make up for it tomorrow, when the only paying people in the building will be a limited number of fans. I thought I would regret not going, but now I'm glad that I didn't give them any of my money leading up to closing, and my great memories of seeing the show since 1988 are still intact."

This is so dramatic for no reason 

[Fosse76]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 11:46pm

Considering the show's longevity, and it's place in theater history, they really screwed this closing. They should have had a week-long celebration, and not just inside the theater. 

[chernjam]

Posted: 4/15/23 at 11:50pm

Fosse76 said: "Considering the show's longevity, and it's place in theater history, they really screwed this closing. They should have had a week-long celebration, and not just inside the theater."

I'd guess that the fact that there was division between ALW and CM about this even closing, ontop of ALW just losing his son -  not to mention the lead actor being having to leave early there was enough drama going on that prevented from something more

On top of that, most of us believe there will be a return - I'm saying no later than Jan 2025