Phantom Closing?- Page 51
Phantom Closing?
#1250Phantom Closing?
Posted: 4/19/23 at 9:43am
The Scorpion said: "Dylan Smith4 said: "Chase Miller said: "What a slap in the face if they just revive this show in the next 2-3 years. Phantom needs to be gone for at least a decade."
That's exactly what I have been saying for a while now! Let people move on and bring it back in like a decade or so with a new creative team. Bringing it back immediately is a major slap in the face to Hal Prince and members of the OG creative team who are no longer with us."
This was clearly what was planned all along (and the ridiculous 'letter' on Jimmy Fallon merely confirmed it), but I agree. There is, or was, a lot of anger backstage the Majestic that that community was torn apart for no good reason other than for Cameron Mackintosh and Really Useful to open the show and hire newbies to do their jobs.
Yes, 'it's showBUSINESS' I hear some say. In that case find a show that does do the business, rather than parasitize off the hard work of deceased creatives who are no longer around to argue against their names being wrongly attributed to shoddy work."
Do you hear yourself? A community that was torn apart?? Give me a break.. A community that was together for 35 years, something that no other show was able to do. They should be grateful for those 35 years, not apparently angry about it, like you claim. And if they really were such a tight knit community, then they'll stay like that going forward and not expect to be paid for it. If a new production is going to give young people a chance to work on Broadway, then I am all for it. CM and RUG have employed hundreds of thousands of people over the years, given people their big break and allowed them to go onto other things, why your so against that, I have no idea. Did you not past that first audition?
The original original creatives did their work nearly 40 years ago.They made many many millions from it and are still receiving money from it. They have absolutely nothing to complain about. If Hal Prince really was that bothered by shoddy work, again, like you claim, then he would have got involved when cartain cast members came in who couldn't or were not delivering what was created with the original cast. But did he? No, of course not. He'd moved on. He'd done his work, was continuining to get paid for it, job done.
When it does come back, they'll probably get zero credit and zero money. God know's how you'll be able to cope when that happens.
Phantom4ever
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/17/07
#1251Phantom Closing?
Posted: 4/19/23 at 11:15am
TBFL, please don't talk about Harold Prince if you don't know what you're talking about. You said regarding Harold Prince:
He'd moved on. He'd done his work, was continuining to get paid for it, job done.
Harold Prince was well known for checking up on Phantom Broadway every few months, attending performances, giving notes to the actors, rehearsing them, and getting new leads ready. It was not a "job done" until his death.
Listener
Featured Actor Joined: 9/25/22
#1252Phantom Closing?
Posted: 4/19/23 at 12:28pm
Danny1984 said: "The Scorpion said: "Dylan Smith4 said: "Chase Miller said: "What a slap in the face if they just revive this show in the next 2-3 years. Phantom needs to be gone for at least a decade."
That's exactly what I have been saying for a while now! Let people move on and bring it back in like a decade or so with a new creative team. Bringing it back immediately is a major slap in the face to Hal Prince and members of the OG creative team who are no longer with us."
This was clearly what was planned all along (and the ridiculous 'letter' on Jimmy Fallon merely confirmed it), but I agree. There is, or was, a lot of anger backstage the Majestic that that community was torn apart for no good reason other than for Cameron Mackintosh and Really Useful to open the show and hire newbies to do their jobs.
Yes, 'it's showBUSINESS' I hear some say. In that case find a show that does do the business, rather than parasitize off the hard work of deceased creatives who are no longer around to argue against their names being wrongly attributed to shoddy work."
There wasn't "a lot of anger backstage at The Majestic." Where on earth have you got this from? Either a single highly unreliable source I expect or you've completely made it up.
This version of Phantom has closed because it was haemorrhaging money. It got an incredible well deserved boost in it's last months because it is an amazing musical that has spanned 35 years of our lives. To be expected. But that is not sustainable and before that it was in dire financial straits.
It is perfectly reasonable, and indeed desirable for such a popular musical to return soon in a financially viable format. And bringing it back soon isn't a "slap in the face" to anyone. The producers and creators of this show can put it on whenever and wherever they like. The general public can decide whether or not they wish to spend their moneyto see it.
"
Sorry to disagree with you, but what I've heard matches up exactly with what this person is saying. Seriously. People were/are not happy.
You seem pretty keen to paint Phantom as having been in dire financial straits. I'm sure things could have been better, but I'm more sure this overhaul wasn't necessary, it would have weathered its problems and endured...and yes, the people involved were deeply hurt by having their positions (and loyalty) dismissed.
AKarp2013
Broadway Star Joined: 7/25/11
#1253Phantom Closing?
Posted: 4/19/23 at 1:23pm
Per Lloyd Webber himself: "Phantom closing is unnecessary."
Like I've said, I personally would have no problem if they were to reopen the show with the version currently playing in London (as long as its not that damn "reimagined" production that toured the country).
But I can't for the life of me imagine Phantom in dire financial strain like some have claimed -- both on Broadway and in London. It definitely wasn't the juggernaut it once was when it originally opened or in its final months on Broadway.
Looking back at the show's grosses in the years pre-Covid, there were a good number of times when it saw rough and bad weeks with low grosses and low attendance. But when the show bounced back, it BOUNCED back. Between cast shakeups, the movie, anniversaries, the Royal Albert Hall production, the summer and holiday seasons, and of course the show's exceptional marketing, the production always would solidify itself as the show that would be here to stay.
Costs may have gone up in the past two years due to Covid and Inflation, but with all the Covid protocols going away and with Inflation coming down, there isn't a doubt in my mind that the show's costs would have eased up and it could very well continue on. It's not like Cameron didn't have the funds to cover it in its less-than-stellar weeks.
Again, as Lloyd Webber said: "Phantom closing is unnecessary."
#1254Phantom Closing?
Posted: 4/19/23 at 2:06pm
Reading these posts, it's good to remember, the first stage of grief is anger.
So whether people were angry backstage or not and why seems understandable. Even for ALW who's not simply grieving such a defining thing in his career coming to an end, but even more importantly, the recent death of his son.
I do agree with those who still believe this was unnecessary and that this is more CM motivated as cost-saving measures. If I recall when the initial announcement was made, he noted looking at economic conditions (the fact that inflation is going up, that we're in the midst of a recession, global factors like war in Ukraine, etc) all unpleasant and things we don't want to think effect us, as a producer he does.
Please don't read that as me being a CM defender. I still think this was premature and unnecessary. Particularly looking at the grosses overall, and I agree with those who've said when it went from peaks and valleys in terms of grosses, the peaks were still pretty high and overall, I find it hard to believe overall it was losing money at this point.
Considering all the free PR this has gotten here in the states though, its hard to believe this respite will be short lived. Particularly seeing the Fallon clip and knowing that pre-closing NBC was working with them to do some Phantom related TV project.
Zeppie2022
Broadway Star Joined: 7/12/22
The Scorpion
Leading Actor Joined: 1/3/07
#1256Phantom Closing?
Posted: 4/19/23 at 6:07pm
Danny1984 said:
There wasn't "a lot of anger backstage at The Majestic." Where on earth have you got this from? Either a single highly unreliable source I expect or you've completely made it up.
Do you expect me to divulge names here? I'm totally fine if you don't believe it, it's nothing to me. There is one cast member who's even done an interview for this very site saying the same thing, if you want some kind of external validation.
I just want to make clear though, in case there is any confusion, that no one is saying that the staff are angry simply because the show is closing. Shows close all the time, it's a fact of life. What is bothersome to those concerned here is that this has been done cynically. It took less than 24 hours for ALW to go on to Jimmy Fallon and pretty much announce the return to New York. This is not a normal way a show closes.
Listener said:
Sorry to disagree with you, but what I've heard matches up exactly with what this person is saying. Seriously. People were/are not happy.
You seem pretty keen to paint Phantom as having been in dire financial straits. I'm sure things could have been better, but I'm more sure this overhaul wasn't necessary, it would have weathered its problems and endured...and yes, the people involved were deeply hurt by having their positions (and loyalty) dismissed.
Yes, the point is that these jobs WILL be there again very shortly. But this community won't be part of it, and their contributions will be erased/dismissed as is what happened in London. Yes they had a great gig. Everyone is grateful for that. But as other posters have said, this whole gameplaying is unnecessary.
Honestly, it would just be more respectful and indeed tasteful if this show did not get put on again in NYC any time soon. But that's clearly not what Cameron or Andrew have in mind.
TBFL said:
If Hal Prince really was that bothered by shoddy work, again, like you claim, then he would have got involved when cartain cast members came in who couldn't or were not delivering what was created with the original cast. But did he? No, of course not.
At this point I can only assume you know zilch about the show or how it was run from that comment. Hal Prince came in all the time, and the only reason this is playing out the way it is is because he's not here. These plans were in the making before Hal's death and then got the greenlight once that happened.
JSquared2
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/23/17
#1257Phantom Closing?
Posted: 4/19/23 at 6:14pm
If nothing else, this entire thread has proven (once again) that there ain't no crazy like Phantom Phan Crazy!
I'm positive that Jesse Tyler Ferguson is already hard at work on his dramatic reading of the thread's "highlights".
#1258Phantom Closing?
Posted: 4/19/23 at 10:14pm
Ben Crawford’s been doing an AMA (ask me anything) on a Phantom subreddit. Here are a couple interesting replies:
Q: what is your opinion on Cameron Macintosh
A: Love him. Smart business man. Understood and appreciated my performance. He owes no one anything.
Q: it seems everyone is bashing him for closing the show…
A: I know…the thing is we weren’t making a ton of money. Pretty sure we got our stop clause in early December when we came back. The only shocking thing about the announcement was that jack ass at the New York Post had to be first so he posted completely incorrect information re: the closing date
I am big. It’s the REVIVALS that got small.
#1260Phantom Closing?
Posted: 4/19/23 at 10:22pm
Q: I hate to be nosey and you don’t have to answer at all but what happened? A bacterial infection all of April? Deleting a lot of your Phantom social?
A: The sound in the theater is terrible. I’ve been complaining about it since I started. It’s the culprit. There’s no monitors on stage. When I asked for them they said the sound system was too old to accommodate them. That’s before and after the pandemic, when we got a new sound system. Imagine half of your face is glued down but you also need to sing like an opera singer. Now do that for 7-8 shows a week for over 1000 shows. It’s insane.
Also I’m not feeling especially loved by an entity I literally slung on my shoulders for 3 & a half years.
It’s not bitterness to alter my Instagram (everything is archived), it’s simply a decision that was made for my sanity. I gave my life to the show and when I had to miss the last two weeks because I’m always giving my all I got thrown out with the set. Time to move on.
I am big. It’s the REVIVALS that got small.
Updated On: 4/19/23 at 10:22 PM
#1261Phantom Closing?
Posted: 4/20/23 at 1:10am
BroadwayNYC2 said: "Begging everyone to…move on."
With some of these folk? You've got no chance.
#1262Phantom Closing?
Posted: 4/20/23 at 2:18am
If you don't believe the show was losing money, go look at the grosses rom when the show reopened in 2021. Nearly 12 months of weekly losses.Thats an insane amount of money to lose and regardless of what someone's peronal wealth is, you don't throw your own money into it, just to please a handful of Phans. It got a boost when it announced closing, but only for that reason,
Figures pre covid mean nothing now. Inflation isn't going down, peoples wages are not going up and people are sturggling to make ends meet and don't have money to spare on broadway shows, or other luxuries. Tourism isnt back to near where it was and it's tourists who keep long runners like Phantom going.But yeah, sure, lets keep it open to please you and the staff who work there....
Strangely, none of the long time orchestra players are angry about the show closing. They seem to have a good perspective on it. Appreciative even. Weird you dont know any of those people working on it.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/09/nyregion/phantom-opera-orchestra.html
The Scorpion
Leading Actor Joined: 1/3/07
#1263Phantom Closing?
Posted: 4/20/23 at 5:55am
TBFL said: "BroadwayNYC2 said: "Begging everyone to…move on."
With some of these folk? You've got no chance.
Um, it seems to be you who is repeatedly posting on this thread. I am not sure what the point is that you keep trying to make (I don't think anyone disputes that the show was losing money post-pandemic), but whatever it is, I don't know why you can't do it with more civility. Maybe you are trying to get a rise out of posters, but saying things like your post above, or 'Did you not get past your first audition?' or 'God knows how you will be able to cope' etc seem to be at best irrelevant to the 'discussion' at hand and at worst inflammatory. I don't see anyone else lowering themselves to this.
I see posters calling others 'crazy' on this thread, but to me the 'mad' thing is to escalate a discussion over a show (JUST A SHOW!) to this kind of unpleasant level, as though this thread were about January 6 at the Capitol.
perfectpenguin
Featured Actor Joined: 7/10/22
#1264Phantom Closing?
Posted: 4/20/23 at 6:00am
JSquared2 said: "If nothing else, this entire thread has proven (once again) that there ain't no crazy like Phantom Phan Crazy!
I'm positive that Jesse Tyler Ferguson is already hard at work on his dramatic reading of the thread's "highlights". “
I was just thinking about that the other day! If he wants good highlight to read, he should head over to the New York New York thread. A lot of fun ones there.
#1265Phantom Closing?
Posted: 4/20/23 at 8:53am
GiantsInTheSky2 said: "Q: I hate to be nosey and you don’t have to answer at all but what happened? A bacterial infection all of April? Deleting a lot of your Phantom social?
A: The sound in the theater is terrible. I’ve been complaining about it since I started. It’s the culprit. There’s no monitors on stage. When I asked for them they said the sound system was too old to accommodate them. That’s before and after the pandemic, when we got a new sound system. Imagine half of your face is glued down but you also need to sing like an opera singer. Now do that for 7-8 shows a week for over 1000 shows. It’s insane.
Also I’m not feeling especially loved by an entity I literally slung on my shoulders for 3 & a half years.
It’s not bitterness to alter my Instagram (everything is archived), it’s simply a decision that was made for my sanity. I gave my life to the show and when I had to miss the last two weeks because I’m always giving my all I got thrown out with the set. Time to move on."
So not a bacterial infection? I thought it was funny how everyone so quickly accepted the production's closing night story about him and started bashing people that said he had already been let go.
#1266Phantom Closing?
Posted: 4/20/23 at 9:28am
Is anyone else on that side of TikTok where the young-ish creators are making videos about mouring the loss of Phantom as if it is a way of passage for theatre fans?
"Ok ok ok ok ok ok ok. Have you guys heard about fidget spinners!?" ~Patti LuPone
Voter
Broadway Star Joined: 5/19/20
#1267Phantom Closing?
Posted: 4/20/23 at 11:19am
fashionguru_23 said: "Is anyone else on that side of TikTok where the young-ish creators are making videos about mouring the loss of Phantom as if it is a way of passage for theatre fans?"
Mine is people shoving their cameras into the loading dock while people are working on load out... and talking about pulling things out of the trash...
There are like 3 other people called Voter on here, FYI.
Deleted comment count: 12
#1268Phantom Closing?
Posted: 4/20/23 at 11:23am
fashionguru_23 said: "Is anyone else on that side of TikTok where the young-ish creators are making videos about mouring the loss of Phantom as if it is a way of passage for theatre fans?"
I am a little deeper into the side where they are now ridiculing anyone who didn't think the show was perfect clearly knows nothing as how else could it last 35 years if it wasn't perfect....
#1269Phantom Closing?
Posted: 4/20/23 at 11:31am
bdn223 said: "fashionguru_23 said: "Is anyone else on that side of TikTok where the young-ish creators are making videos about mouring the loss of Phantom as if it is a way of passage for theatre fans?"
I am a little deeper into the side where they are now ridiculing anyone who didn't think the show was perfect clearly knows nothing as how else could it last 35 years if it wasn't perfect...."
Mmhm! It's a slippery slope from mine to yours ahahaha
"Ok ok ok ok ok ok ok. Have you guys heard about fidget spinners!?" ~Patti LuPone
MannPhan24601
Broadway Star Joined: 11/4/15
#1270Phantom Closing?
Posted: 4/20/23 at 8:55pm
Went through that whole reddit thread. Yikes. Especially the one making fun of the OBC and Sarah Brightman . Horrible though on how his later days were mistreated
MemorableUserName
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/27/19
#1271Phantom Closing?
Posted: 4/20/23 at 9:49pm
“The Phantom of the Opera” Takes a Final Bow
Vinson Cunningham, Helen Shaw, and Michael Schulman revisit Andrew Lloyd Webber’s mega-musical.
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-theatre/the-phantom-of-the-opera-takes-a-final-bow
nativenewyorker2
Featured Actor Joined: 8/30/18
#1272Phantom Closing?
Posted: 4/20/23 at 9:55pm
Could someone dm me the Reddit thread or post it here?
MemorableUserName
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/27/19
#1273Phantom Closing?
Posted: 4/20/23 at 9:59pm
A selfie to identify himself and introductory post were originally at the top but he appears to have deleted them.
https://www.reddit.com/r/box5/comments/12satb2/would_anyone_like_an_ama/
(the comment about being thrown out like the set also appears to be gone.)
BorisTomashevsky
Broadway Star Joined: 4/30/22
#1274Phantom Closing?
Posted: 4/21/23 at 12:05am
I’m not sure how anyone can perform a major vocal role without monitors to hear themselves and/or the music, but it appears he did so for several years and sang just fine. Can anyone interpret or clarify why monitors were so necessary for him towards the end of the run?
And how dozens of singers did fine in the role without them for 35 years, but all of a sudden the fact that they don’t exist was an issue?
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