Report: The Phantom of the Opera May Be Readying an Off-Broadway Return- Page 9

[Lot666]

Posted: 6/24/25 at 8:43am

phantom1978 said: "Wow everyone on here is so negative. As a long time Phantom fan I am on the edge of my seat waiting to buy these tickets. Love the marketing they have done as it's been so creative. Why come on here to complain? You haven't seen it or experienced it but have a whole lot of judgements. Just stay home and let us fans enjoy it."

No one is saying that you can't or shouldn't enjoy this, and I hope you don't let anyone stop you.

I saw the original Prince/Bjornson/Lynne production in London, New York, and on U.S. tours at least 100 times. I even shelled out (and subsequently lost) a lot of money to see the French-language production with Sierra Boggess in Paris, which was subsequently canceled after a fire in the theatre destroyed the sets and costumes. I consider myself a huge fan of the show, but I am definitely not a "phan" of the show.

To me, "phans" are people who have email addresses like "[e-mail]" or "[e-mail]", who attended the show in costume, and who dream of someday having a Phantom-themed wedding. They are people whom Cameron Mackintosh was courting when he started casting young, pretty guys who lacked the vocal skills to sing the title role, and many of them contend that Gerard Butler and Emmy Rossum will always be the quintessential Phantom and Christine. To be clear, I mean these people no offense (different strokes for different folks), but I am not one of them.

This new "Masquerade" show grows less appealing to me with each press announcement. I shall be quite happy to learn that I was wrong about any or all of these, but I currently suspect that:

• It is going to be a truncated version of the show, i.e., songs and scenes will be trimmed or even removed entirely (think Vegas Spectacular) to make it fit in the space and time constraints. 
• It will have multiple casts so that it can be performed several times per day, perhaps even simultaneously, and the cost of that will likely result in the hiring of people who are not really capable of singing the roles (quantity over quality).
• The "extravagant black/white/silver dress" and "masks required" aspect of the production reeks of cosplay and Comicon-like experiences. For me, that puts it firmly in the "phans" category and removes it from the "fans of the original Broadway musical" category.
   

Also, I think it rather telling that this is not being billed as "Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera"; the name has been changed to "Masquerade", which promises nothing and removes liability lest anyone should say, "This isn't 'Phantom of the Opera'; I want my money back."

Updated On: 6/24/25 at 08:43 AM

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 6/24/25 at 9:45am

Updated On: 6/24/25 at 09:45 AM

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 6/24/25 at 9:49am

Lot666 said: "phantom1978 said: "I saw the original Prince/Bjornson/Lynne production in London, New York, and on U.S. tours at least 100 times. I even shelled out (and subsequently lost) a lot of money to see the French-language production with Sierra Boggess in Paris, which was subsequently canceled after a fire in the theatre destroyed the sets and costumes. I consider myself a huge fan of theshow, but I am definitely not a "phan" of the show.

To me, "phans" arepeople who have email addresses like "[e-mail]" or "[e-mail]", who attended the show in costume, and who dream of somedayhaving a Phantom-themed wedding. They are people whom Cameron Mackintosh was courtingwhen he started casting young, pretty guys who lacked the vocal skills tosing the title role, and many of them contend that Gerard Butler and Emmy Rossum will always be the quintessentialPhantom and Christine. To be clear, I mean these people no harm or offense (different strokes for different folks), but I am not one of them."

 

You’ve just won the gayest post of the month award! With it being pride month and all, this is quite an accomplishment. Condragulations!

 

[Kad]

Posted: 6/24/25 at 9:56am

People are hostile toward this because, by announcing the pricing and entry requirements, they’ve said “it’s worth it, just trust us,” without doing anything to earn trust. They’ve run a repetitive and excessively coy marketing campaign, no cast or creatives have been publicly confirmed, there’s been no official details about what this even will be. 
 

If it turns out to be a really cool experience, folks will change their tune. But if it turns out to be the most expensive way to see the most reduced version of the show yet, and every transition between musical numbers also involves going up and down a flight of stairs, folks will balk. But right now it’s a $200 mystery box and that’s a hard thing for a lot of people to swallow. 

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 6/24/25 at 11:47am

The fact that it's $200 a pop and mask is required but costs extra is a hard line to cross.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 6/24/25 at 12:29pm

Sounds like it's just an immersive party where they run through the show? 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 6/24/25 at 12:36pm

RippedMan said: "Sounds like it's just an immersive party where they run through the show?"

I expect it will be less songs than the original show, and shorter versions of any song that they DO do. Verse and chorus type stuff. I wouldn’t be surprised if a large percentage of the time is spent wandering from location to location and then waiting around in the ambience for scenes and songs to happen. 

[umbrellaman]

Posted: 6/24/25 at 5:50pm

FWIW, I got an email with the announcement, which was all one picture - but the metatext when you hide the picture says "Secure Your Preview Tickets. Six Weeks Only."

I suspect that the attire, mask, and "invitation only" is just for the "previews" - and part of the marketing campaign.

At the end of the day, the creatives will have to deliver an experience that is worth what they are charging.

Does anyone remember  the immersive play "Tamara" at the Park Avenue Armory - it had a light supper catered by Le Cirque at intermission, with a ticket price of over $100 in 1987!  It ran for 5 years - although later on they lowered the price and simplified the intermission meal.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 6/24/25 at 6:09pm

umbrellaman said: "FWIW, I got an email with the announcement, which was all one picture - but the metatext when you hide the picture says "Secure Your Preview Tickets. Six Weeks Only."

I suspect that the attire, mask, and "invitation only" is just for the "previews" - and part of the marketing campaign.

At the end of the day, the creatives will have to deliver an experience that is worth what they are charging.

Does anyone remember the immersive play "Tamara" at the Park Avenue Armory - it had a light supper catered by Le Cirque at intermission, with a ticket price of over $100 in 1987! It ran for 5 years - although later on they lowered the price and simplified the intermission meal."

 

That $100 also included an open bar all night!

[abcd12]

Posted: 6/25/25 at 11:40am

Updated On: 6/25/25 at 11:40 AM

[mitchern]

Posted: 6/25/25 at 1:08pm

They added more info @ https://masqueradenyc.com/instructions/

still sounds like a ripoff.

What kind of masks are permitted?

Lace, couture, or partially-faced masquerade masks are welcome. Masquerade masks can cover the full face or just the eyes and upper cheeks. Those with electronic components, celebrity or political likenesses are not allowed. As you will be traveling in close proximity to other guests we encourage courteous consideration while selecting your mask. Should you arrive with a masquerade mask inappropriate for the occasion, we will happily provide one for you.

Can I buy a mask at the venue?

Yes. You may purchase a limited edition couture masquerade mask at the venue, subject to availability. We will have complimentary masquerade masks should you arrive without one.

Will the mask provided work with glasses?

The mask we provide is designed to be worn under glasses.

[Lot666]

Posted: 6/25/25 at 1:23pm

mitchern said: "They added more info @ https://masqueradenyc.com/instructions/"

They certainly have changed their tune with this. Now it sounds like the originally announced "limited six week" engagement is merely a "preview" period, the dress code applies only to that period, and you don't have to bring your own mask (they will provide one). I won't be surprised if the dress code is abandoned much sooner.

Updated On: 6/25/25 at 01:23 PM

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 6/25/25 at 1:23pm

Looks like they’ve walked back the “if you don’t have a mask, you can buy one” rule in favor of a complimentary option and a paid option. They’ve also walked back the 21+ only rule and added that there will be 16+ matinees.

Now if only they hadn’t shot themselves in the foot laying out rules that they then had to rethink/clarify because the original ones were bullsh*t.

[Kad]

Posted: 6/25/25 at 2:00pm

Meanwhile, we still don't know when, exactly, this will be starting. 

Updated On: 6/25/25 at 02:00 PM

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 6/25/25 at 2:01pm

Kad said: "Meanwhile, we still don't know when, exactly, this will be starting."

...or what it even is. 

[phantom1978]

Posted: 6/25/25 at 9:19pm

They have released a FAQ:

https://masqueradenyc.com/instructions/

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 6/25/25 at 9:41pm

I will be highly surprised if this actually opens.

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 6/25/25 at 9:43pm

TotallyEffed said: "I will be highly surprised if this actually opens."

It’s opening. SURPRISE!!!!!!!

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 6/25/25 at 10:41pm

At this point I'm not convinced it's not a rehash of the Glasgow Willy Wonka Experience.

[ER765]

Posted: 6/25/25 at 10:58pm

Matt Rogers said: "TotallyEffed said: "I will be highly surprised if this actually opens."

It’s opening. SURPRISE!!!!!!!"

Andrew?! Is that you?? This would make so much sense!

[MimiChika]

Posted: 6/25/25 at 11:25pm

Rumored principal cast: 

taken from social media 
 

https://ibb.co/YTV26kxD

[devonian.t]

Posted: 6/26/25 at 1:24am

Ooh a theme park walk-through. Hal and Maria would be so proud...

[binau]

Posted: 6/26/25 at 2:13am

Anyone else still low key excited and hoping that it turns out to be good?

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 6/26/25 at 5:15am

MimiChika said: "Rumored principal cast:

taken fromsocial media


https://ibb.co/YTV26kxD

"

I think I recognize Hugh Panaro and Telly Leung in that photo but even then I can’t be certain. And the rest, I have no idea. Can anyone name anyone else in the photo?

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 6/26/25 at 6:48am

Hugh yawn … Give me Howard or Norm