Phantom Revamp

So I have seen Phantom of the Opera at least 4 times and would see it again in a heartbeat, but I can't help but thinking it could do really well if they changed some of the staging and scenery around. Also i wonder why they have not gotten a big name broadway star to help boost sales. Just seems like if they advertised doing some new things, it could bring in new as well as old fans. thoughts?

The current tour is a revamp. And from all I've seen and heard it shows how much of the original holds up because of Prince/Bjornson's staging.

JOJ, Peter Joback, Earl Carpenter, and my personal favorite: Ramin Karimloo. I know they brought Norm in, but sadly I didnt get to see his performance.

Hmm I have not seen the new tour, but ill have to give it a shot! I saw the broadway production in January and there were at least 50 empty seats in the orchestra. I know january isn't the most popular time to see shows, but i still thought it was rather empty.

I'm pretty sure I remember reading that they did update a few things for the 25th anniversary on Broadway. The "Wandering Child" song was switched back to the original trio version heard on the original cast recording, they updated the sound system, refurbished some of the scenery and costumes and revamped their artwork and marketing materials. I don't think they need to do anything beyond that. Too many changes and they risk alienating a large portion of their audience which is likely made up of tourists and fans seeing the show for the umpteenth time who like the show the way it is.

I also agree that the tour proves how much of an effect the original staging and design likely had on the success of the show.

""So I have seen Phantom of the Opera at least 4 times and would see it again in a heartbeat, but I can't help but thinking it could do really well if they changed some of the staging and scenery around."
I know. It's totally done REALLY not well for the past almost-30 years."

SO despite Hal Prince regularly checking in, Phantom, a show that opened in NYC in 1988, less than 30 years ago, has never been well done?

I hope Phantom's producers never even remotely consider the sentiments expressed by the OP. I am one of those hard-core Phantom phans who sees the show every chance I get (and get teased for it incessantly!) and ONE (not the only reason, just one) of the reasons why I so enjoy going back to the show is because of its rich, iconic imagery. If any of it were changed or updated to meet some current fad, it would most likely be very disappointed for phans like me.

"If any of it were changed or updated to meet some current fad, it would most likely be very disappointed for phans like me. "

A little late, are we?

Phantom is doing fine As is. I saw the Touring Production in November of 2014. I absolutely loved how they designed the set, but it just wasn't the same as the phantom I know an love.

Sierra Boggess is a goddess, she's by far the best one I've seen. They are doing fine after nearly 30 years, let them keep at it! They are fine.

there is a reason that nearly everything Andrew Lloyd Webber does have extremely long broadway runs. Their music is timeless, and the staging and sets are always top notch. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

"
there is a reason that nearly everything Andrew Lloyd Webber does have extremely long broadway runs. Their music is timeless, and the staging and sets are always top notch. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

I am a big ALW fan (yes, a Sondheim fanatic who enjoys ALW,) albeit often in a sorta guilty pleasure way. But this statement isn't really true. He's had two massive Broadway runs, Cats and Phantom, and a very good run with Evita, and a decent run with JCS and Sunset. Of course he's had more success on London, but hardly nearly everything ALW does have extremely long Broadway runs.

I thought shows had to 'freeze' and couldn't be changed once opening night rolls along? Is there an exception like if a show runs a certain amount of years they can make some changes? Are there things a show can and cannot change? How does that work?

Am I dreaming this but I remember (don't remember what year since I have seen this show so many times) when Christine sings "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again", angels around stage's eyes lit up. Somehow that image is burned to my brain and thought that was so haunting. I wish they would bring that back.

I saw it about 6 months ago in Tampa. I enjoyed parts of it more, including the way the chandelier fell onto the orchestra, not the stage. The problem was that no one could top the original highlights.

For example, I thought the new staging of the title song was really good, but still pales against perfection...the first time I saw the original production (in London in 1986) was one of the rare times that I got real goosebumps watching a number. Same thing with Masquerade...the original was incredible, even with the kitschy dummies to make the crowd appear larger. This was very well done, just not as awe inspiring a 'stage picture'.

Interestingly, I think that I enjoyed the re-staging of Les Mis a little more than the original, but that re-staging was generally little things, plus the increased visuals from the original Hugo novel. I have to admit that I did not even notice that the turn tables were missing, so I guess they never made much of an impression.

i don't know if it is relevant, but as much as I love Phantom, I think Les Mis is a much better show