Phantom of the Opera or Phantom?

Who has seen Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera AND Maury Yeston's Phantom? Which do you prefer? Which do you think is the better musical version of the novel? Or IS one better than the other? Maybe your take is they're different while both have wonderful elements.

I've seen both shows several times and while the Lloyd Webber version is a classic I prefer the Maury Yeston version. The score of Yeston's version is truly spectacular- some of the best music written for the theater ever! Very reminiscent of the kind of music Rodgers and Hammerstein used to write- melodic and memorable.

The book of Phantom-by Arthur Kopit- is very moving and, in my opinion, much more clearly defines the Phantom as a character.

Yeston/Kopit's Phantom has toured all over the world since the early 1990's and was recorded by RCA in 1993. Unfortunately, there will probably never be a Broadway run but I would love to see a PBS Great Performances production. Meanwhile, clips can be viewed on You Tube.

Don't get me wrong- I also love Andrew Lloyd Webber's version although I don't think Phantom of the Opera is his best work.
I think Sunset Boulevard is his masterpiece.

Please chime in with your opinions.

Updated On: 5/15/13 at 07:59 AM

Thanks MCfan2 for offering your thoughts. I vaguely remember a TV miniseries. Wasn't that a non musical version?

The Phantom is going to get its London, UK debut, in a pub just outside London in Walthemstow The Ye Olde Rose and Crown. Funnily enough it had its first night last night and will play until the end of the month.

Dumb thing to do is to write a musical on one that is very successful already, definitely not a smart thing to do.

Updated On: 5/15/13 at 09:44 AM

I was just about to make that correction. I also remember Webber mentioning in an interview, I believe it was "Behind the Mask" that he saw Yeston's production and wanted to adapt that version into his own musical, which proved to be a bigger success. And in a more recent interview with Rupert Holmes, he wanted to do a musical with Leroux's novel, but he learned of Webber's production opening in London and scrapped the idea, haha. I've heard a few songs from Yeston's production and I prefer his style of music better than Webber's. I also agree that Phantom of the Opera isn't Webber's best work.

I didn't know that about Rupert Holmes. Fascinating to think about what he would have done with it!

i worked for the Redodndo Beach Performing Arts Center when they produced PHANTOM...and i loved it and the score is truly magic (YOUTUBE it like i did to refresh my memory)...the book did seem more focused as others here have mentioned...when i finally broke down and gave in to seeing PHANTOM OF THE OPERA on Broadway i was hugely bored and disappointed...and the chandelier was truly pathetic...but i had just seen the movie version and the chandelier was the star in that awful mess...

i vote PHANTOM over POTO...Weber's score is wonderful but that book...ugh i didn't know whether to laugh or cry while watching it...so i did both when i realized i had wasted $100...:)