Some things that could make POTO better

[Theatreboy33]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 12:57pm

I saw POTO for the second time yesterday, and although i still thoroughly enjoy the show because of the music and sets, I still had a few of the same problems with it. The show at times is very horror movie-ish (when the chandelier falls and when the phantom is spitting fire balls at raul) Yet at both of these moments, there seems to be something lacking, a something that gives each of these two scenes an odd feeling to them. The thing, i feel that is missing is simply sound effects. When the chandelier falls, it just misses christine and brightly flashes, which is all very exciting. But, what I wanted to hear was a loud, booming, glass-shattering sound effect. This would add so much more to the small scene. Additionally, when the phantom shoots fire out of his staff, once again a lack of sound effects leaves an ackwardness to the scene. Why dont the sound guys add some fireball sounding effects to make him seem more threatening? The scene always falls flat. Well, thats my take on things. Does anyone else experience this problem? And if it is a common problem, why dont they remmedy it by just adding a few simple sound cues?? Updated On: 1/29/04 at 12:57 PM

[Broadwaylilhead]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 1:08pm

Funny you mention these two things because a friend and I had this same conversation last week when we saw the show. It had been about 7 yrs for me since seeing the show and it was his first time. He was very unimpressed with the chandelier because of the reason you mentioned- it is anti-climatic and the flash doesnt really do much. Sound would make a big difference .

I also remember the fire balls being bigger and shooting farther than what I saw last week. It almost looked comical how the fire balls seemed to just fall flat and not really go anywhere. One time I saw the show, a fireball actually hit the actor playing Raul.

You're right, some sound design in these two areas would heighten the tension and make them a little more impressive and draw some attention away from the less than spectacular visuals.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 1:09pm

In order to make changes to a show, don't they have to go back and work it out with Hal Prince? It's probably too much hassle to ask him to rethink those moments in the show.

[sheekala]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 1:13pm

You'll have to wait for the film to have your sound effects. The stage version will only use music to convey the actions of those moments, tis written in the score and not to be changed. And that's a fact jack.

[JakeB]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 1:27pm

In the London production there is yellow masking tape all over the place for markings, it's so unprofessional.

[sparky310]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 1:33pm

WHAT IS POTO

[Broadwaylilhead]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 1:40pm

What is POTO..of a broadway amatuer! :) Phantom of the Opera

Just for the record, sound effects are not written in the score

[sheekala]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 1:52pm

I know they are not written in the score, what I meant is that no sound effects are to be put in over the music during those two moments and nothing can be in conflict with the score. And that it is forbidden to ever do it.

[ChristineDaae]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 3:46pm

I think they should fix/change one thing- the dummy the falls after "Il Muto". They should make it look more real. Other than that- I love the show the way it is I still get chills during the Overture and the title song- "Phantom of the Opera" which I happen to be listening to right now =-D

[Broadwaylilhead]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 3:52pm

I think they should make them sing the title track live instead of lip synced.. i know they have to run offstage and get in their little boat, but once the boat is on the move, they could cut to live performance instead of pre-recorded.

[mamamia sammy]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 3:55pm

Good point!

[ChristineDaae]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 3:56pm

I'm pretty sure the only part thats lip-synced is the ending of the song when Christine does her opera singing

[lc1965]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 3:57pm

Gothampc: Actually, Mr. Prince still visits POTO when he's in town. He stopped by freuqently when he was working on Hollywood Arms. But, I know what you mean -- it's a done deal & I don't think they want to add to the costs now that biz is so slow.

[Broadwaylilhead]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 4:07pm

ChristineDaae sorry to break it to ya, but ask anyone that has ever worked on or been in the show, the entire title track is lip synced from start to finish.

The "legend" behind the reason has to do with the Sarah Brightman days when she did not want to have to sing while trying to load into the boat as well as have to sing the scale every night.

[mamamia sammy]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 4:08pm

I too have heard that "legend"

[ckeaton]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 4:22pm

Legend has been verified by the rule of three.

[rclocalz]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 4:30pm

Okay, I have worked with the POTO touring production when it came to Nashville and in the title song, the begining is pre-recorded due to a costume change for phantom and christine. Once they appear in their boat on stage, it is their voice. The high note at the end is pre recorded and it is up to the actress to decide each performance if she takes it herself or if she will lipsync to the recorded note.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 6:01pm

The legend I heard was that it was pre-recorded because Brightman couldn't ever hit the final note. But that could be just idle gossip I read on the bathroom wall.

[ckeaton]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 6:46pm

What costume change? It's the Phantom's first appearance, so there isn't a change, the two doubles have the same costume, all three of them are wearing the same outfit from the get go. As for Christine... she's in the nightgown for the whole scene. Is she losing her ballet costume there? In the first iteration she didn't.

I think it's funny that the subject line says "Some things that could make POT" now.

[wickedfan]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 7:24pm

I just think that the chandeleir fall doesn't look real at all. it goes down so slowly. or maybe that was just at my performance. Another I'd change is the whole Don Jaun number. Or more towards the end. Now this can be changed. It is merley a change in the amount of people on stage and their acting abilities. When I sa wit, it was again, Meg, who found the dead body and then after that only two people came on stage after Christine had left. They could make it look more dramatic. So that it is more of a big deal. Instead it looked like "Oh this happens every three weeks, we do his show wrong, he kills our leading man."

[Phantess]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 7:46pm

OKay yes the entire track of TPOTO is lip synced. It's because of the many Christine's and th erough stanging they had to do it. I think we had a conversation like this already.

I think a few things which could make the production better and a few pet peeves are:

The dummy which fall to represent Joseph Buquet. I think I've seen it so many times to know that the actor who places Buquet is kinda burly and big, if you notice the dummy is VERY skinny.

I would also have to say, at the end when Raoul jumps into the water to go rescue Christine, he jumps but you hear no water splash.

There are just a few inconsistencies. Especially about the chandelier, why it would suddendly go forward is beyond me.

And yet 11 times later I still love this show.

[Shawk]

Posted: 1/29/04 at 8:52pm

I agree that the effects on the chandelier and the fire balls could be better.

Of course, I also think a lot of the transitions are muddy, but that's hardly going to change any time soon.

[ChristineDaae]

Posted: 1/30/04 at 3:44pm

"ChristineDaae sorry to break it to ya, but ask anyone that has ever worked on or been in the show, the entire title track is lip synced from start to finish.

The "legend" behind the reason has to do with the Sarah Brightman days when she did not want to have to sing while trying to load into the boat as well as have to sing the scale every night. "

I knew that, but I didn't belive it.