Phantom Closing? — Page 44

MemorableUserName said: "John Riddle post-show Instagram video

https://imgur.com/a/Fqcfq9n"

I know there’s the whole thing about “you got your show and no one owes you any more than that”, but with tickets not generally for sale to Sunday’s show… I’d say that audience deserved more than, what, an air kiss from Paul Schaefer?

It really does seem they screwed the pooch on this closing, but perhaps they didn’t want to go too full out? Perhaps, they already know the show is going to be returning.

Yes, reopening,, landmark performances, and major anniversaries are celebrated with special events, but those events are really more for marketing purposes than having a good time or giving back to the fans. The publicity from that stuff sells tickets and makes them money. All they needed to make money from this time was from last night’s charity performance, and that’s what they did. Why bother with anything else for the public when the show is closing in hours, and there is literally no consequence for them not having encores with special guests, gift bags, etc. They don’t care if you complain on a message board. They got what they needed with limited effort expended, and they are packing it up and heading for the hills.

Was fortunate to have a ticket to Saturday night’s performance. The show is such a masterpiece with so many pieces coming together so well. It still feels like a show that shouldn’t be closing and I’m sad they couldn’t keep it going for a little longer given all the enthusiasm it has been getting. That being said, I never thought the “brilliant original” would re-open here on Broadway after the pandemic - given what happened in London. So I look at it that Broadway got an 18-month bonus. Maybe we should just be grateful that we got the opportunity to give it a proper farewell. Our counterparts in London sadly didn’t get that chance.

The whole cast brought their A-game tonight. I’m sure they all fed off the buzz in the audience too. Laird was excellent (my first time seeing him). Emilie got a well-deserved lengthy standing ovation after “Wishing” that brought a nice appreciative smile out of her.

I too was surprised they didn’t plan anything at the curtain call though. But the audience didn’t let the cast off the hook though as we all stayed standing trying to call them out. At first we saw some of the cast members peeking out from behind the curtain. A missed opportunity to have just let them come out and feed off the audience. They finally raised the curtain and then the crew reset the chandelier. Gradually more of the cast (out of costume) and crew members came out. The audience chanted “one more song” and the cast obliged singing “Happy Trails” totally impromptu.

You could tell the cast and crew were soaking it in as much as the audience. As fun as the unexpected was, it’s just disappointing that nothing more formal was planned so that everyone in the theater and on stage could appropriately mark the occasion and really thank each other for all the memories.

Finally, Nehal Joshi stepped up to the front of the stage and as “the theater’s owner” (which got a good laugh) and without a mic, he thanked the crew, front of house, etc….and the audience. Totally unplanned. But a nice touch to end the evening.

This all took about 20 minutes and by 10:50-10:55, we all started leaving the Phantom’s theater one last time.

Yes Phantom will be back, but it’s just a shame that we likely won’t see Hal, Maria, and Gillian’s masterful work again in their full glory.

Nothing at all - not even Andrew coming out, or some vets appearing because we know they're already in town for tomorrow's private gala anyway....or even a plastic Phantom mask or Thsnk you booklet....Anything! - for the fans who came in costume? Fans who came, year after year? The ones who choose to get engaged at the final show because it means so much to them? The ones who are still expected go turn up at the upcoming remounting, all eager to hand over their cash for something likely to be inferior?

...unreal.

QueenTwinnied said: "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"

It's a valid opinion and I would hardly characterize it as dramatic. Nor is it entitled to wish that someone would have made some sort of remarks at the final public performance of Broadway's longest running show. In fact, doing so seems like the bare minimum one might anticipate at such a performance.

Updated On: 4/16/23 at 05:36 AM

JasonC3 said: "QueenTwinnied said: "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"

It's a valid opinion and I would hardly characterize it as dramatic. Nor is it entitled to wish that someone would have made some sort of remarks at the final public performance of Broadway's longest running show. In fact, doing so seems like the bare minimum one might anticipate at such a performance.

"

B*tch please it is entitled. Just because it’s the last “public” show doesn’t mean you get some special treatment. Whatever happens during the actual closing will be captured by hundreds of cell phones and probably professional cameras too, which everyone can view later. Whining and complaining about not getting a special souvenir or speech for your show is literally insane. The actual "bare minimum" you should expect is being THANKFUL to see one of the final shows, which is all you paid to see. The Phans need a reality check

Updated On: 4/16/23 at 06:44 AM

Voter said: "QueenTwinnied said: "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"

This board is filled with such entitled nonsense. The show truly doesn’t owe anyone anything! It’s a show!"

I think you and “QueenPinned” are missing the point..no one has demanded or asked for anything! We just expected more from a company, not the show, that has done more on the oat for lesser things! That is all. We have not gotten rude or dismissive. Being told to “go touch grass” is a great way of saying “I didn’t support the show and you people are just complaining and let’s use the entitled term once again.” So continue to please. Once again, not upset or anything negative about the show! Just the company the took everyone’s money for over 35 years.

Hope this clears up any confusion!

To be fair, it was advertised there’d be some special surprises. At the cost of tickets, a gift or even an encore would have been a very nice thing to do.

So surprised this is closing today with such a “meh” energy. If I wasn’t on this board I’m not even sure I’d be aware of this.

I think the meh energy is they shall be back very soon