Review: Phantom National Tour, Winnipeg MB (10/13/06)
Review: Phantom National Tour, Winnipeg MB (10/13/06)
fiyero8132
Broadway Star Joined: 4/27/05
#0Review: Phantom National Tour, Winnipeg MB (10/13/06)
Posted: 10/14/06 at 10:17am
Good morning BWW'ers!
I had the privelege of seeing the national tour of Phantom last night in Winnipeg, Manitoba so I thought I would give you all the low down. The shows's temporary home is the enormous Centennial Concert Hall, which is reminiscent of the Paris Opera House in size and decor so it set the tone very nicely.
I sat in Row 12, center so I was looking forward to getting a closer view of the spectacle (I've only ever sat in the mezzanine before for Phantom). My first impression was slightly dissapointing. The opening pre-set, the auction, looked kind of sloppy, thrown together. Different from the other times I've seen the show. Something was not quite right. Nonetheless, it looked pretty ominous, so it got the point across.
The auction scene was performed well. I've never ever heard Raoul's "A collector's piece indeed..." sung so beautifully. It was actually one of the highlights for me. I knew I was in for a treat with Adam Monley.
Then the Overture started. It sounded... synthesized? At least the rising of the chandelier provided something else for me to focus on. It looked fantastic, by the way. I was still gawking after three times of seeing it previously.
Hannibal should have been listed in the program as Hannible, because the ensemble was really horrible. They were out of sync with the singing, the dancing looked really ameteur, and it looked like they needed to review the over all blocking with a dance captain.
Kim Stengel was a delight as Carlotta. Her soprano sounded a bit tired and shrill at the top, but it worked for the character. John Whitney took a brave liberty with Piangi. I have never seen that character performed gay before. You know what? It was a really smart move! It worked really well. Stengel and Whitney were an incredible comic duo.
I was not a fan of Patti Davidson Gorbea's Madame Giry. Maybe she was going for stern and subtle, but it absolutely did NOT come off. It was as though she was intentionally trying not to exude any effort. She just couldn't committ to the moment. She marked the entire thing, except her one shining moment: her little "fairground" monologue. But that certainly shouldn't be the case.
D.C. Anderson and Bruce Winant and Andre and Firmin were perfect. They presented the most polished performances of the evening. The worst is when two actors present the characters as one unit, the managers. Anderson and Winant succeeded in playing completely different characters that complimented one another excellently.
The worst part of the show was Kate Wray as Meg Giry. Her vibrato sounded like a goat. Also, whenever she sang "He's here, the Phantom of the Opera", she would be in a different key than the orchestra. The most awful awful thing happened in Angel of Music. She is supposed to sing in harmony with Christine on one of the final verses leading into "He's with me even now.." Well, I guess I give her credit for trying but it was not even close to what is written in the score. It sounded more like Don Juan Triumphant. It was so off key. I felt like marching on the stage and teaching her the proper way. I don't how she got that role. It was twisted and bizarre. She did, however, master the character of Meg. But, then again, it's not a very challenging role.
The three leads:
Adam Monley was a fantastic Raoul. His voice is astounding. Just glorious. His portrayal was everything it should have been. No complaints there.
John Cudia's Phantom was quite good. He sang it tremendously. Probably the best I've heard. But he just didn't seem to have the inspiration that others do. It was really a standard portrayal. Nothing that wowed me about him other than the voice. Maybe he should stick to Raoul?
Marni Raab pissed me off. She was really terrible in the first act. I would have rather seen her as Meg. She definitely didn't have a rich enough voice for Christine. Very thin. However, in the second act she was just incredible. It was as if she used the first act as a warm-up. This makes me feel like she has no respect for an audience. It was aggravating. A leading lady must be consistent. Also, her acting was corny and melo-dramatic. Nothing real about it.
Overall a decent performance. Definitely a decrease in quality from the other times. But it was Phantom, as charming as ever with the gorgeous sets and costumes and special effects. The star of the evening was Adam Monley. The opposite goes for Kate Wray. They need to get her off the tour... Can someone explain the orchestra thing to me? Is it all live on tour or are parts synthesized? Bottom line: do not run to see this production.
#1re: Review: Phantom National Tour, Winnipeg MB (10/13/06)
Posted: 10/14/06 at 10:24am
Thank you for the review 
I'm sad to hear it's so up and down, though 
Kim Stengle ROCKS and is such a sweet person off stage. I have had the pleasure of meeting her a couple of times
"TO LOVE ANOTHER PERSON IS TO SEE THE FACE OF GOD"- LES MISERABLES---
"THERE'S A SPECIAL KIND OF PEOPLE KNOWN AS SHOW PEOPLE... WE'RE BORN EVERY NIGHT AT HALF HOUR CALL!"--- CURTAINS
ThankstoPhantom
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/13/05
#2re: Review: Phantom National Tour, Winnipeg MB (10/13/06)
Posted: 10/14/06 at 10:36am
I've seen the 3NT 5 times now, and it goes up and down all the time...
About once a year, people will notice it being in terrible shape, and then once it gets to the next destination it's back in order (Hal Prince usually arrives at just about that time).
Believe me, I've seen BAD performances from this production, and I've seen INCREDIBLE performances...unfortunately you got the bad end. (although I will say that Kate Wray needs to leave, she is rather terrible).
The orchestra has about 10 members and the rest of the missing members are filled with synthesizers...it is definatelty not a good system and detract from the piece.
How to properly use its/it's:
Its is the possessive. It's is the contraction for it is...
#3re: Review: Phantom National Tour, Winnipeg MB (10/13/06)
Posted: 10/14/06 at 12:39pm
thank you so much for this review! i was so pleasantly surprised to see winnipeg on this message board. i will be seeing this at the concert hall on oct. 21- and i definitely trust the reviews posted on here more than the reviews i have read in the papers in winnipeg.
I was so dissapointed about the synth though- of all shows, i was hoping phantom wouldn't dissapoint with its orchestra
"talent is wanting something hard enough to work for it" - my drama teacher :)
#4re: Review: Phantom National Tour, Winnipeg MB (10/13/06)
Posted: 10/14/06 at 1:09pmInterestingly enough the orchestra also varies somewhat from venue to venue. In larger cities like Chicago they add more players. As far as the overture sounding synthesized, I believe that most of that is actually a tape playback.
"I have got to have some professional music!" - Big Edie
Roger246
Featured Actor Joined: 3/4/06
#5re: Review: Phantom National Tour, Winnipeg MB (10/13/06)
Posted: 10/14/06 at 1:29pm
Seeing it on the 15, here in Winnipeg, can
t wait!
RentBoy86
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
#6re: Review: Phantom National Tour, Winnipeg MB (10/13/06)
Posted: 10/14/06 at 2:33pmThe orchestra thing is a bummer. Phantom should sound lush and full.
#7re: Review: Phantom National Tour, Winnipeg MB (10/13/06)
Posted: 10/14/06 at 5:47pmThe first minute or so of the Phantom overture has always been piped in. When Phantom plays Boston, there are usually at least 20 musicians.
"Y'all have a GRAND day now"
#8re: Review: Phantom National Tour, Winnipeg MB (10/13/06)
Posted: 10/14/06 at 7:49pmAt least it's nice to hear that Winant and Anderson are still as fabulous as ever. They have to be my favorite pair of managers.
Sally
Broadway Star Joined: 5/12/03
#9re: Review: Phantom National Tour, Winnipeg MB (10/13/06)
Posted: 10/14/06 at 9:17pmWhen I saw the tour show, oh, maybe a year ago, with Gary Mauer as Phantom, I had no quibbles with it. The cast was energetic and right on the money as far as I could tell. I guess I got one of the good shows.
#10re: Review: Phantom National Tour, Winnipeg MB (10/13/06)
Posted: 10/14/06 at 9:37pm
> When Phantom plays Boston, there are usually at least 20 musicians.
Boston is a bigger market than Winnipeg, and thus there is a union agreement that stipulates additional players. (If you appreciate big show orchestras, thank your local musicians union!) I'm not certain that the Phantom tour could afford to play Winnipeg with a 20 piece orchestra.
I saw the Las Vegas version of Phantom, and the orchestra was as full and lush as I've ever heard it. I think they have 18 musicians there, with some prerecorded enhancement for specific moments.
"I have got to have some professional music!" - Big Edie
#11re: Review: Phantom National Tour, Winnipeg MB (10/13/06)
Posted: 10/15/06 at 7:50pm
Apparently Adam Monley is leaving soon. Awww.
http://www.phansonline.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=617&start=1620
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
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