Lordy, unclutch your pearls, dear. I'm just saying in 33 years technology for the stage has come a long way. I saw the show last year, and some of it was laughable. The mannequin that flies down as the dead guy looked like from a Hitchcock movie. And the mannequins in Masquerade just looked old and silly. I think you can update them with modern technology and still keep the original intent. I'm not saying we need brand new sets and a new chandelier, but why not update it? It's not a museum piece.
My pearls are going to stay firmly clutched when people say things like "modern technology mannequins," And a new Joseph Buquet mannequin? I rather appreciate the current one, even though yes it clearly is a dummy. Are they killing an actor 8 times a week? No they are not and everybody knows that. The way it was done in Vegas was pretty cool, with the Phantom sneaking up on him and throwing the rope over his neck, but any attempt to update that effect at the Majestic will just look silly---yes even sillier than the current mannequin. The staging forces you to look at the mannequin as it falls, but then the ballerinas start screaming and the managers come out and talk to us as if we are the audience of the show within a show, so those kind of moments make the current mannequin work, because we aren't just sitting there staring at a clearly fake dummy.
Hold on let me stretch out my hands for a minute so I could go back to clutching these pearls : )
Jordan Catalano said: "I'm glad I was online the second these went on sale this morning! They're sellin' like hotcakes for that first show!
Hotcakes. mmmmmmm......"
Those went QUICK. Every time I selected seats and clicked "Buy now" it told me those seats had been reserved. Ended up with still good seats, but that was a struggle!
So excited that I got tix for the October 22 performance! Although I am sitting in the rear mezz. Last time I sat in the rear mezz I was tortured my a middle school group the entire school. I assume groups won't be there lol.
The only other special Phantom performances I attended was the 9,000 and 10,000th performances. Those were cool but I'm hoping for some speeches at least at this one.
Phantom4ever said: "So excited that I got tix for the October 22 performance! Although I am sitting in the rear mezz. Last time I sat in the rear mezz I was tortured my a middle school group the entire school. I assume groups won't be there lol."
Ditto. I haven't sat back there since my first visit, before I learned how to play the discount game. It's not a bad view though, considering. Still beyond excited!
Well, I saw that there was one seat available in the orchestra, far to the side at the end of the row. I never sit in the orchestra behind Row H, so I'm not sure.....it says that the seat is 14 seats off the aisle. Does that mean that I couldn't squeeze down on the far end? The seat is really pushed up against the wall? If so, I think I am too claustrophobic for that and I will have to keep my Rear Mezz aisle seat. Anybody have any insight on the end-of-row (no aisle) seats in he rear orchestra of the Majestic? specifically Row R house left?
Anybody else notice the wonky schedule? It's understandable that they wouldn't be back to 8 shows a week right away, but through February, there are 5pm Sunday performances, no Thursday mats, I believe Tuesday/Wednesday is the usually dark.
Thanks all for the posts - I didn't realize tickets had gone on sale already. Snagged the last available front mezz ticket for the first performance on October 22.
Phantom4ever said: "bwayobsessed you're in for a treat!
Anybody else notice the wonky schedule? It's understandable that they wouldn't be back to 8 shows a week right away, but through February, there are 5pm Sunday performances, no Thursday mats, I believe Tuesday/Wednesday is the usually dark."
Thursday mats were the worst selling performance, so it's not surprising they'd cut that. Since this show primarily attracts tourists (foreign ones at that), the Sunday at 5pm is probably aimed at locals.
Phantom4ever said: "I saw that there was one seat available in the orchestra, far to the side at the end of the row. I never sit in the orchestra behind Row H, so I'm not sure.....it says that the seat is 14 seats off the aisle. Does that mean that I couldn't squeeze down on the far end? The seat is really pushed up against the wall? If so, I think I am too claustrophobic for that and I will have to keep my Rear Mezz aisle seat. Anybody have any insight on the end-of-row (no aisle) seats in he rear orchestra of the Majestic? specifically Row R house left?"
I've never been further back in the side orchestra than house left row K, which is the first row behind the entry aisle (the entry aisle takes up the space where rows I and J would have been on the sides, so I and J only exist in the center section). If I recall correctly, the only way to access the seats in row K is from the center aisle. I know there is a metal rail in front of row K because it's higher up than the entry aisle, and I remember having to squeeze along the rail to get to my seat.
==> this board is a nest of vipers <==
"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene" - Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage
I was online and clicking refresh beginning at 8:45 a.m. This was one of the most frustrating on-sale events I've ever experienced; it gave me flashbacks to the 4:00 a.m. on-sale for the 25th anniversary at the Royal Albert Hall.
Every pair of seats I clicked came back unavailable for about the first 10 minutes, but I finally got center mezzanine and bought them. I wasn't happy because I hate watching this show from upstairs, but I was at the 25th in London, the 25th on Broadway, and the 30th on Broadway, so there was no way I was going to miss this one. I returned to the seating chart and eventually landed rear orchestra house left, which I also bought. Then I went back to the seating chart a third time and, after more than 30 minutes of repeatedly refreshing the availability, it finally gave me a pair of premium seats in center orchestra row F. This was so weird because, from the moment the show went on sale, the site would say "Premium seating not available for this performance" or "The seats you selected are not available" whenever I clicked a blue seat which the chart indicated was available.
Telecharge graciously refunded my first two orders via email and left me with the premium seats. Although I've seen this show more than 75 times now, this will be my first performance in premium seats. All's well that ends well.
I do hope that ALW makes an appearance, but I'd prefer that CamMack not show his face.
==> this board is a nest of vipers <==
"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene" - Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage
Happy to see brisk ticket sales for a show some here predicted would definitely NOT be one of the shows returning ("Only tourists like it. Only shows that appeal to locals will return.". Phantom isn't my favorite show, but it is a favorite of many, and it's great to see the excitement surrounding its return.
Just noticed that the first three rows of the center front orch are removed, Rows AA, BB and A. The side front orch has AA and BB removed. I wonder how that will look--I guess just some open space between the pit and the first row and lots of legroom in that first, formerly 4th, row.
Phantom4ever said: "Just noticed that the first three rows of the center front orch are removed, Rows AA, BB and A. The side front orch has AA and BB removed. I wonder how that will look--I guess just some open space between the pit and the first row and lots of legroom in that first, formerly 4th, row."
They are unlikely removing seats...just not selling them. But I guess we'll see.
LOT666 - Can I ask why you don't like sitting in the Mezz for Phantom? I've sat in the Mezz once but was very far back, but I always imagined that sitting in the first row or 2 of of front Mezz would be spectacular?
Fosse76 said: "Phantom4ever said: "Just noticed that the first three rows of the center front orch are removed, Rows AA, BB and A. The side front orch has AA and BB removed. I wonder how that will look--I guess just some open space between the pit and the first row and lots of legroom in that first, formerly 4th, row."
They are unlikely removing seats...just not selling them. But I guess we'll see."
I have A2 for first show back. Seems awfully close, but it was the only thing I could get in orch on that date.
Jujam said they were not selling tables next to stage or first row for Moulin b/c of covid. Could Phantom be doing the same? Or holding for 1st responders?
Doesn't look like many Phantom tkt sales after first few nights back.
Jayelle, I think you'll love A2. That's where I sat the day that I saw Phantom's matinee and evening performance on the same day. It's great to see the gorgeous details of the costumes and that the actors really do have expressions on their faces lol.
AllthatJazz, if you want to sit under the chandelier, I would try center front orchestra rows A to F, seats 104 to 112. Be sure to look up every time the Phantom shakes the chandelier too. Usually people don't notice until after he disappears.
I am not too concerned about Phantom tix not selling better. I have been obsessively checking the first two week back and every day they seem to sell 20 to 80 tix per performance. Even pre-Covid, few people bought Phantom tix very far in advance. Nobody who is seeing Phantom in November or December is going to be buying tickets now.
Lot666 said, in part,: "I was online and clicking refresh beginning at 8:45 a.m. This was one of the most frustrating on-sale events I've ever experienced; it gave me flashbacks to the 4:00 a.m. on-sale for the 25th anniversary at the Royal Albert Hall.........Telecharge graciously refunded my first two orders via email and left me with the premium seats. Although I've seen this show more than 75 times now, this will be my first performance in premium seats. All's well that ends well.
Did you really see it 75 times? As a patron or as a theater worker? Amazing. They should give you an award. I thought the woman next to me who saw Great Comet 49 times was alot.