Phantom celebrates it's 7000 Performance!- Page 2

[tomooseone]

Posted: 8/13/03 at 11:17am

Well I can speak for London alone:

In London the show is still showing to sell-out audiences every single night - you are unable to get tickets at the weekends! Its still jsut as good as it ever was - if not better and still popular with the majority of audiences so it really doesnt matter what anyone thinks of it - its stable with funds and Mr Mackintosh is not thick enough to keep something open if it isnt making money. Notice Cats is back on a world tour and UK tour????? Hehe - well it is.

Tom

[tomooseone]

Posted: 8/13/03 at 11:18am

Well I can speak for London alone:

In London the show is still showing to sell-out audiences every single night - you are unable to get tickets at the weekends! Its still jsut as good as it ever was - if not better and still popular with the majority of audiences so it really doesnt matter what anyone thinks of it - its stable with funds and Mr Mackintosh is not thick enough to keep something open if it isnt making money. Notice Cats is back on a world tour and UK tour????? Hehe - well it is.

Tom

[tomooseone]

Posted: 8/13/03 at 11:22am

Hello

In reply to your message: I have an inkling that the Phantom you saw was the standby: Richard Halton. Not lots of people are biiiig fans of him as he is usually in all the opera stuff rather than musicals. John Owen Jones is the usual Phantom and he is absolutely brilliant - I have seen him twice now and hes also an extremely nice guy all round. Im glad you went to see the 7000th performance - any speeches?? When I tried a standing ovation the people behind me got mad so I had to sit down. Hehe.

Tom

[ChristineDaae]

Posted: 8/13/03 at 1:52pm

Dollypop~

I became a theatre fan two years ago when I saw Phantom. Phantom was my first Broadway show. I haven't seen 3,000 shows but I've seen quite a few and I still feel none are better than Phantom. When I say Phantom is a GREAT show, I'm giving my opinon, how come you don't respect that? I love everything about it. Yes, I do think there will be a revival of Phantom.I think there will be a revival of Les Miz to. If you dislike Phantom and I've said this before, why bother posting about it?

Updated On: 8/13/03 at 01:52 PM

[sheekala]

Posted: 8/13/03 at 2:26pm

At the moment, The Phantom of the Opera with the current Broadway cast is a nightmare (will Christine ever be cast closer to her correct age? SHAME on you Tara Rubin!), and please Mr.Panaro, spare us your mis-guided attempt at performing the role, ugh, really it's awful. The show could use a tune-up from top to bottom( and a complete re-casting, remember the Les Miz purge my lovelies?)...speaking of bottoms, anyone know who long Hugh Panaro is signed on for in the title role?

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 8/13/03 at 4:07pm

Just check the stats. over the years...Phantom and LeMiz are two of "THE WORLDS MOST POPULAR SHOWS"... for better or worse, the numbers don't lie. Say, "Theater", and soooo many people will return with "POTO and Michael Crawford" followed by "Le Miz and "that guy with the white hair and beard from PBS".

It may not be a LOT of people's idea of a great,,,ok even good show, but it's undebatably(?) popular. (of course anything up for debate with a few of you!). :)

[Copeman63]

Posted: 8/13/03 at 5:13pm

The only thing that makes me ever want to see this show again for is the late Maria Bjornston's set and costume design of the show. The first act never ends and all the songs bore me to death. I personaly am more of a happy musical guy, and this is just too dark and depressing. I know the bar manager at the Majestic has been there since the show opened, how can she stand it?

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/13/03 at 5:59pm

Christine,

I question your usage of the word "great". Of course you're entitled to your opinion, but I'm trying to get you to understand that certain adjectives should be used with care. I took another poster to task when she used "great" in reference to the play ENCHANTED APRIL. This is an enjoyable play, but it is NOT "great" by any stretch of the imagination. A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE is "great".

I'm glad you enjoy going to the theater. I pray that you continue to do so. I hope that eventually you see a musical that is compelling and features a superb score, featuring direction and choreography that is imaginative and accurate. Then you'll know what GREAT is, and POTO will just be a happy memory for you.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 8/13/03 at 6:02pm

I love the designs for Phantom as well. they are gorgeous.

[PJ]

Posted: 8/13/03 at 7:37pm

Don't listen to Dollypop, ChristineDaae. He thinks he knows everything and doesn't like anything that doesn't have anything to w/ Carol freakin' Channing. I'm glad you enjoyed Phantom. And if you think it's great and love it, That's GREAT too! As long as you enjoyed the show, then that's all that matters.
PS: Dollypop is mean because he's an aging man who works within the public school system. Granted, that's more than enough to drive a man crazy.
Did I use "Great" enough?

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/13/03 at 8:38pm

Preston, be good!

If you continue your wanton ways, I'll force you to stay after school and clap the erasers until your lungs fill with chalk dust!

[PJ]

Posted: 8/13/03 at 9:04pm

Oh please.
Dollypop. Stick to what you know. English. When someone wants advice on how to correct their syntax, then that's when you chime in and offer your two cents. But other than that, mind your own damn business. :)
And also...who are you to tell someone whether or not they should enjoy a show? I'm sure if Phantom starred Carol Channing as Christine then I'm sure you'd be singing another tune. Yeah.

[Phantess]

Posted: 8/13/03 at 9:34pm

Hey ok calm down it's JUST a show. People obviously have their different opinions. And just because SOME people don't like it means it's going to close anytime soon (okay andrea. It's useless trying to change people's opinions soooo you're waisting your energy)

Infact for the past weeks POTO has been doing better than the Producers, not that the two compare but you get the idea.

[ChristineDaae]

Posted: 8/13/03 at 9:54pm

Thank you so much PJ... Finally someone understands me!

I think PHANTOM IS A GREAT SHOW... your not going to change my mind about it Dollypop...sorry.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/13/03 at 10:26pm

If Carol Channing was playing Christine, I'd be in the audience busting a gut!!!! It would be hilarious!

For your information, Preston (you are a naughty one!)
I have directed 73 high school plays and have acted in about the same number in community theater, dinner theater, non-Equity tours and summer stock. I have also done TV commercials, voice-overs and soap operas.

I think I know a little bit about theater.

(Aren't you going to miss me while I'm in Europe?)

Updated On: 8/13/03 at 10:26 PM

[Old Bat]

Posted: 8/14/03 at 4:54am

I saw John Owen Jones as the Phantom. Sorry - he wasn't my cup of tea at all. I really didn't like his performance but, as I said, mine was obviously a minority view. Each to his own as they say.

[TEACHEROFTHEATER]

Posted: 8/14/03 at 9:06am

In addition to Phantom being a GREAT show, it has redefined and helped raise the level of greatness for other shows to attain.

Phantom is nonstop thrilling entertainment from the very first moments of the show. You cannot go wrong recommending Phantom of the Opera as a "must see" musical.

Thankfully, Les Mis has closed and unsuspecting out of towners will no longer feel duped and baffled by having been sucked in by the publicity machine for that tedious and laborious piece of boredom. Les Mis was a great show with which to remedy insomnia.

The Phanton of the Opera is a riveting masterpiece.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 8/14/03 at 9:19am

Did you take a blow to the head, Teacheroftheater?

Do you actually TEACH such things to studentsoftheater? Do you think Phantom is GREAT theater like Shakespeare great, or Ibsen great?

It's funny to see you criticize the Les Miz publicity machine and somehow ignore that of Phantom.

[TEACHEROFTHEATER]

Posted: 8/14/03 at 10:49am

The Phantom of the Opera is a brilliant example of keeping an audience entertained.

It has been established that Phantom is a masterpiece and it should be a requied master class for those learning about theater.

The Phantom of the Opera is not only a great show, it is one of the greatest. It continues to delight and dazzle millions and help create new generations of theatergoers.

It is not often that theater gets as good as this. Phantom is to be treasured.

[Joshbstn]

Posted: 8/14/03 at 11:13am

I think I am going to retch. Please, Phantom stays in business totally due to the publicity machine. It is a putrid, putrid show without a shred of artistic credibility.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 8/14/03 at 12:23pm

My only contribution to this topic was stating the popularity and longevity of this show. But now you've got my "kinckers a bit uptight", with some of the ludecrous comments regarding POTO.

OK, it's not your personal favorite. (it sucks, I'm gonna puke, don't know why its lasted DUH)!

So... if I might add, literally every Bd'w performer that I know thinks Phantom is one of THE "great" musicals of all time. Half of the male performers that I've interviewed, met or know personally have LOVED their roles as Phantom.( Kevin Gray, Craig Schulman, Brad Little,Davis Gaines, Hugh Panero, etc.) Not to mention the "Christines'" and "Raouls'".
These are not, clueless, mindless pions. But seasoned performers, who recognize a "good product".

NOT just because it's a "good job" or looks good on their bio, but because it's a great character to dive into surrounded by a ton of good elements (music,staging,costumes etc). The other half of the "guys"(whom I can't say) would still give thier eye teeth for a shot at wearing the mask.

So think about this when you're trashing something that many "theater people" conclude is just one of the most enviable "examples" of how to do theater right!

::stepping off the podium::

[rlbgbc]

Posted: 8/14/03 at 12:40pm

If I may interject:

I don't think anyone's arguing that the "Phantom" character is not a fascinating role to play for an actor. There are great roles in less-than-stellar shows. Carrie's mother in CARRIE? That's pretty meaty. "Marilyn" in MARILYN? Lots of actresses would give their eye teeth to delve into the psyche of that woman. The list could go on and on.

[Slash]

Posted: 8/14/03 at 12:53pm

I think everyone needs to read this again:
"Third, the staging is ludicrous. Where does the Phantom's bedroom begin and the underground lake leave off? Perhaps his bed merely floats in at high tide!

Fourth. Does the Phantom light all those floating candles every night, or does he just do that on special occasions?

Fifth. When was the last time you saw any object--let alone a chandelier--fall at a 90 degree angle?"
--Dollypop

And PB Ent.2: a little less bragging about the Broadway performers you know please. It's pathetic.

[lass]

Posted: 8/14/03 at 1:02pm

I don't know about chandeliers falling at 90 degree angles, but I did hear from a reliable source about an icicle falling and hitting someone in the eye in another show.

[lensman55]

Posted: 8/14/03 at 1:11pm

>How could I think it wouldn't run?

>First, I figured that the Puccini Estate would take legal >action regarding the music--which is a total rip-off from the >Italian Maestro.

>Second, the script never tells the audience how the Phantom >got to be so scarred and deformed. (Luckily I'd read the >original novel in my French classes!)

He was born that way... some of us didn't need that spelled out. (Or dumbed down as two of the movies did.)

>Third, the staging is ludicrous. Where does the Phantom's >bedroom begin and the underground lake leave off? Perhaps his >bed merely floats in at high tide!

I remember Harlan Ellison mentioning that "Lethal Weapon" was spoiled for him when he realized that Mel Gibson runs about two miles and catches Gary Busey's car. (Harlan knew how far apart the two areas were... in "movie reality" we were suppose to realize that Mel ran about a hundred yards tops.) This is the same argument.

>Fourth. Does the Phantom light all those floating candles >every night, or does he just do that on special occasions?

I would imagine special occasions, like when he's going to have guests.

>Fifth. When was the last time you saw any object--let alone a >chandelier--fall at a 90 degree angle?

Well, if they dropped it on the audience every night, it would kill repeat business. Besides, the real chandelier had five chains... in play logic the Phantom could have arranged for four to give way allowing the chandelier to swing on the fifth.

>Sixth. I saw Sarah Brighman as Christine. She looked like a >raccoon and sang through her sinuses. Now two men were willing >to kill for her? Give me a break!

(Setting myself up for a bitch-slap here!) And someone is supposed to become so enamored of Carol Channing that he wants to marry her at the end of Hello Dolly?

>Seventh. I saw Michael Crawford play the Phantom. He had all >the grace of a wounded hippo and was phoning in his >performance.

I've also seen Michael perform. You're wrong. Michael is the only one who could move backwards down a set piece, in a full cape while firing fireballs! Every other actor has had it changed because they can't do it without falling. Furthermore, I watch Michael's Phantom compeletly lose it after the mask is gone, all the grace and beauty was in that persona and without it he does in fact stagger around the stage! As far as "phoning it in" I've never seen him do that! Maybe you caught a bad day or maybe you're wrong again.

>Eighth. Why doesn't the script explain why people have to >cover their eyes when they are walking down to the Phantom's >lair?

Proof that you weren't paying attention. Nobody has to "cover their eyes," they have to "hold their hands at the level of their eyes," in order to thwart the Punjab noose. That's actually from the Lon Chaney movie and even there Raol (sp) was a jerk and had to keep being reminded.

>Ninth. Those lyrics were typical of the rhymes I get from my >ninth grade students.

(Bitch-slap number two coming up.) I like the lyrics. They certainly weren't any worse than the lyrics to "I Put My Hand In."

>Tenth. It was over amplified, but Broadway audiences seem to >like having their hearing impaired.

Given, but this is hardly Phantom's fault.

Updated On: 8/14/03 at 01:11 PM