Phantom vs. Phantom of the Opera

So, I've been delving into Yeston's Phantom having loved Grand Hotel and Titanic (and December Songs), and just curious about what you all like or dislike about his version vs. Webber's. Obviously one is more widely known, but I don't love Yeston's music. And I really do love his music in other shows. None of the Phantom's songs truly stick, but I do love some of Christine's. I also notice that the Phantom in Yeston's version has more book scenes and speaks more, and is more of an actual person than in Webber's where, I'm not even sure if he has any "book" scenes.

Phantom is going to be at the Westchester Broadway Theatre beginning September 13th. It always sells out because people think they're seeing POTO.

I've seen both versions many times and Phantom delves into the Phantom's past. There is some very good music in Phantom and a different ending. I enjoy Phantom every time it comes back because it's a different approach but the story lines are similar including the chandelier, plus there is more comedy.

There are some very touching numbers to and it will jerk a tear at the end as well. If you've never seen it, I highly recommend it. The Westchester Broadway borrows the tour set, so it's not a cheap regional theatre set.

Updated On: 8/28/18 at 07:08 AM

CATSNYrevival said: "Maria Björnson's scenery and costumes together with Gillian Lynne's choreography and Hal Prince's direction is what makes the show so brilliant. Their work elevated the material. The current tour made that all the more obvious to me."

Indeed! The current touring version looks so sad to me.

Some of the music in the Yeston/Kopit version is beautiful, "You Are Music" and "Home" being particular favorites of mine. I'm a particular phan of the ALW version, but I did see a spectacular production of Phantom in South Korea. PotO will always be my favorite, but I thoroughly enjoy Phantom.

As far as stories go, I've found that, while Phantom delves more into the humanity and 'backstory' of Erik, Phantom of the Opera is actually much more faithful to the source material of the Leroux novel. Phantom is missing a lot of key scenes and taking lots more liberties with the plot -I really enjoy the novel though, so that may be why I am partial to ALW.

I'm a particular fan of Erik having traveled the world (PotO), not having been under the opera house for his whole life (Phantom). They humanize him more and his relationship with Christine begins without much pretense and happens more naturally than her thinking he is an angel, but I do enjoy the air of mystery he has in PotO. I also don't know if it was specific to the South Korean production or if it is standard, but I'm never a huge fan of the "Christine looks like Erik's mother" plot point.

i feel it should be required that it is made clear that this is not the ALW version when buying tickets and seeing the show. Like I said, almost everyone thinks they're seeing POTO.

AEA AGMA SM said: I could also do without some of the cringe inducing attempts at humor.

(Upon discovering Joseph Buquet's body)

Carlotta: My costume man!I sent him down below.

Inspector who's name I can't remember: Well someone has sent him back up!"

Yeaaaah... I know people like to bash PotO for being overblown but I found Phantom to be much campier...

That's really bad the casting call was for POTO when it's 2 different shows.

I do agree it is more campy but still an interesting story.

sbflyfan said: "Andrew Lloyd Webber, Julian Lloyd Webber, Imogen Lloyd Webber. It really is crazy how the "Webber" family all have the same middle name... "

What are their middle names?

Off topic, but can I just say that I'm still upset that due to ALW's version I may never get to realize my dream of playing Beef in a stage adaptation of The Phantom of the Paradise?

Its interesting - this thread made me remember seeing Phantom at the Paper Mill Playhouse. I do remember liking it (and know that I purchased the CD which is somewhere) which I wouldn't have done had I not enjoyed it. That being said, I couldn't sing a bar of it right now.