Phantom Review 1/09/2008

[george95]

Posted: 1/10/08 at 12:17am

Hello BWW,
I just got back from a performance of "The Phantom of the Opera" (performance #8,299 in case anyone's counting).
It was also the 20th anniversary of the 1st Broadway preview--January 9, 1988.

Contrary to BWW haters, the show is in excellent shape. There were two understudies on tonight--James Romick for the Phantom and Kris Koop for Carlotta. They did a terrific job.

One common problem with long-runners is that new castmembers sometimes don't work with the director, and there is a tendency sometimes to "walk through" the lines and blocking rather than act. "Phantom" still has its acting as taut and sharp as 1988. The sets and lighting still elicits oohs and aahs from the audience. One of the fun things about seeing "Phantom" is that even though it takes you back to the 19th century, its so cool to hear people cheering after every song like its a rock concert.

So here's to another 20 great years on Broadway! and oh yeah.....let the hating begin haha

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 1/10/08 at 12:26am

Thanks George. I would love to have seen Kris as Carlotta. I saw her go on as Christine once, and she is one of my top favorites in the role. How was James Romick as the Phantom?

[george95]

Posted: 1/10/08 at 12:34am

I've seen James go on in a million different roles--both the managers, Raoul, various minor characters, but never as Phantom.
His singing in general was full and strong, but the only time I was like "this guy guy sounds like an understudy" is when he had to belt out a note, like in Music of the Night when he sings "let your soul take you where you long to beeeeeee!" instead of the "be" filling the theater, it was more like a whisper. That was disappointing, but he was so creepy many other parts of the show that it made up for the lack of the belt. And once again, yeah Kris Koop really hammed it up as Carlotta tonight.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 1/10/08 at 12:37am

Who played Raul and how was he? I feel like that role is so horribly written that people tend to play him one-note and overact horribly.

[george95]

Posted: 1/10/08 at 12:41am

Raoul was played by the regular actor, Tim Martin Gleason. He's got a great voice, and my only problem with him is when he says "her" as in "you have no claim on her; leave her" and "I love her", he says "I love huhhhhh" and "you have no claim on huhhhhh" That bugs me.

But you gotta give Raoul a break because he's up against a guy who can rig a chandelier to fall, turn lights on and off, shout loud enough to be heard in the whole theater while not being seen....that's kinda freaky. But still, Raoul is definitely not my favorite role in the show, nor is it a role I would ever want to play myself.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 1/10/08 at 9:16am

See, I like the role, and I wouldn't mind playing it - only because I like the songs he sings. However, the only times I've seen it, the role has been horribly overacted. I wonder if it can be played with subtley and layers, or if that's just how it needs to be played.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 1/10/08 at 9:27am

oh..I would love to see this show on Broadway !

Probably in the near future..... I have never been to the MAJESTIC THEATER.

J*
Updated On: 1/10/08 at 09:27 AM

[george95]

Posted: 1/10/08 at 9:56am

Yo Jay let me know when you want to go and we'll go.....no lie. I'll get us good, cheap seats.

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 1/10/08 at 10:56am

Sounds like you had a great time! Thanks for sharing!

[RyToast1]

Posted: 1/10/08 at 11:09am

I was there last night too, it was my first time seeing the show ever. Before last night, I had only seen the movie.

I was a little disappointed that I didn't get to see Howard McGillin (for some reason, I was really looking forward to him), but James Romick was really good!

It was a very enjoyable evening, but I was saddened by the anti-climatic chandelier crash.

[pab]

Posted: 1/10/08 at 11:27am

People can not like a show without being a hater.
Hater

[B3TA07]

Posted: 1/10/08 at 11:30am

lol!

[kec]

Posted: 1/10/08 at 1:50pm

"See, I like the role, and I wouldn't mind playing it - only because I like the songs he sings. However, the only times I've seen it, the role has been horribly overacted. I wonder if it can be played with subtley and layers, or if that's just how it needs to be played. "

Rentboy, when I last saw Phantom in London -- it was the 20th anniversary performance on October 9, 2006 -- I was very impressed with the actor who played Raoul. His name was David Shannon. He gave Raoul a somewhat -- for lack of a better word -- rakish air, that really worked well. He made me really sit up and notice the character.

To answer your question, I guess it's going to depend on the actor. I don't think Raoul needs to be overplayed, and I didn't think David Shannon did. I never thought much about the character before, but David Shannon's performance made me see Raoul in a new light.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 1/10/08 at 1:55pm

I don't get what "rakish air" means. Sorry.

[musical_devotee]

Posted: 1/10/08 at 1:57pm

I just saw the Phantom last Saturday in London, almost two years since seeing it there for the first time. Everything George95 said about the Broadway production can be applied to London one. The show is still fresh and lively as ever, as is the audience response. Ramin Karimloo, who took over the title role last autumn, is simply brilliant. Strong stage presence and the exceptional vocal range. If you have a chance to catch him as the Phantom, do not miss it.

[kec]

Posted: 1/10/08 at 2:12pm

Sorry, I read too many period romance novels.

A rake in the 18-19th century was a dissolute person in fashionable society -- which doesn't really explain the way David Shannon played the role. He played Raoul as one supremely confident in himself, without being conceited. At one point in the show Raoul pulled Christine close to him by grabbing her around the waist in a way I had never seen before from any other actor -- even Patrick Wilson in the film didn't project this aura of self-confidence. I never once got the impression that Shannon was overplaying the role.

I apologize if this is still clear as mud. It may make sense only if one has read waaaay too many period novels.

[george95]

Posted: 1/10/08 at 3:05pm

Rytoast, I'm wondering why you thought the chandelier crash was anti-climatic? Other than what is does in Vegas, how much more wild and crazy could it be, and still be safe?
As I watched the chandelier crash last night, I remember thinking how it was going faster than normal, and it certainly swung toward the stage more violently than it has other times. And even though I've seen the show over 30 times, for some reason it looked like they were going to miss the cue to pull Christine out of way of the chandelier....for a split second I was nervous for the actress, but then of course they pulled her out.
But if you expect a DisneyWorld ride type of experience when the chandelier falls..........well you should see the Phantom in Vegas. Otherwise, the '80's technology works just fine.

[obsessedjb]

Posted: 1/10/08 at 3:06pm

I've still never seen this show. I kind of want to now.

[george95]

Posted: 1/10/08 at 4:15pm

yooooo obsessedjb I will hook you up! If you really want to go I am down!

[RyToast1]

Posted: 1/10/08 at 4:19pm

george-

My partner had seen it on tour and said it went down really fast and made a crashing noise. I just thought more was going to happen for some reason. It didn't ruin my evening by any means!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/10/08 at 4:20pm

Phantom is in such great shape now (I saw it in October, FWIW) and can't remember thinking anything strange or different about the chandelier.

[george95]

Posted: 1/10/08 at 4:27pm

ok Rytoast I'm glad to hear you still had a great time at the show. : )

[steven22]

Posted: 1/10/08 at 4:33pm

i saw the broadway production wit mcgillan and julie hansen and both were amazing.i saw them in jan 2007..i am seeing the show again jan 19th

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/10/08 at 4:35pm

I saw it on Broadway in 1989 or 90. (it's been so long! Cris Groenendaal was the Phantom). The afternoon I saw everyone from the actors to the orchestra were off. My partner at the time and I were wondering if it was just us or that the show was just not what we were expecting. At intermission we heard people who had evidently seen it a number of times commenting on how bad the performance was that day. We were undewhelmed by the chandelier. It just kinda slowly jerked its way to the stage. All in all, it was a very non memorable afternoon. Over the years I have wanted to go back and see it but wondered if it was worth it. I have always loved the music. george95, thank you for your review. I do plan to revisit it soon when in NYC. I haven't seen it on tour as I want to see it again at the Majestic.

Updated On: 1/10/08 at 04:35 PM

[george95]

Posted: 1/10/08 at 4:44pm

I guess you have to assume with 20 years of performances, there are bound to be some bad times. I can remember one performance of Phantom I saw about 2 years ago where they even dropped a backdrop at the wrong time, and actors dropped props more than once. But it was just one of those days; nothing more.
I encourage you to give the show another chance next time youre in the city.