THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Reopening Night Thread — Page 6

suicidalmickeymouse said: "Just won the lotto for tomorrows matinee. Any intel on how Ben and John Riddle’s attendance have been? Big fans of them. This will be my first time seeing the show, I had to check it off my list finally!!"

Based on his Instagram stories, Riddle's been in London and Paris the past couple days. Not sure if he'll be back for tomorrow's shows.

ImAProphet said: "Huss417 said: "Has anyone tried this with TDF? I'm curious what the seats have been.I'm trying to get an idea of a Thursday Matinee

Thanks."

Multiple times, and I've never not gotten orchestra. Usually near the front (Rows A to F ish) but the "worst" I've gotten was Row R. Still not bad for $60.

Lottery will almost always get you the first couple of rows though. I would try that and do TDF if you lose."

Appreciate the info. I went with TDF yesterday. I’ll wait and see what happens.

suicidalmickeymouse said: "Just won the lotto for tomorrows matinee. Any intel on how Ben and John Riddle’s attendance have been? Big fans of them. This will be my first time seeing the show, I had to check it off my list finally!!"

You may get Jordan Donica instead of John Riddle, but I'd have no complaints about either. And IMHO, Ben Crawford is the best Phantom since Michael Crawford.

Lot666 said: "suicidalmickeymouse said: "Just won the lotto for tomorrows matinee. Any intel on how Ben and John Riddle’s attendance have been? Big fans of them. This will be my first time seeing the show, I had to check it off my list finally!!"

You may get Jordan Donica instead of John Riddle, but I'd have no complaints about either. And IMHO, Ben Crawford is the best Phantom since Michael Crawford."

Did Donica come back early? He was previously announced as returning on May 29.

No, Jordan Donica is supposed to be in Into the Woods at City Center right now but he's out with Covid.

Incidentally, Jason Forbach is going on for him. (In ITW, to clarify)

Updated On: 5/5/22 at 03:20 PM

I've now seen Phantom Broadway 8 times since reopening, and every time I notice something else that's new. I just saw both Saturday performances on August 6th, and this time I noticed the wardrobe mistress running out with the ballerinas during the Il Muto Act 3 ballet sequence.

I am starting to accept the new staging from the dressing room down to the lair, but I really don't like how the ballerinas are smiling and flirtatious as they run into Raoul. I think it would work better if they were somehow frightened of what happened to Christine too. The creepiest thing of all though, and I saw this so well from house left, 3rd row, is that as Phantom and Christine cross the travelator the 1st time, a strange man appears on the "2nd floor" entry onto the travelator stage left. He appears to possibly be wearing a Phantom mask, but it looks more like a full-headed white mask---so creepy! Anyway, he stands there seemingly ready to enter when the travelator gets down to the second level, almost like he is a Phantom double like the original staging, but then he steps back and disappears! Why was he standing there at all? Perhaps he was a stage manager? But then why the weird white mask? Why is he in full view of the audience?

On Saturday night, for the first time in 82 viewings, I saw the Phantom disappearance malfunction. When Meg pulled down the cover, Ben was just sitting there looking at her--so awkward! But he instantly popped back and the "back" of the chair went into place in front of him and it was so weird to think that he is sitting there entombed in this chair. At least some in the audience didn't notice because I overheard people wondering how they made the Phantom disappear into the chair....

Phantom4ever said: "as Phantom and Christine cross the travelator the 1st time, a strange man appears on the "2nd floor" entry onto the travelator stage left. He appears to possibly be wearing a Phantom mask, but it looks more like a full-headed white mask---so creepy!"

Are you sure this was during the title song? Just asking because there is (or was) a character referred to as "the rat catcher" who entered the travelator while Giry and Raoul were on it (just before Raoul jumps into the lake). Not sure if he's still in the show these days, but his costume was really odd-looking; I seem to recall him carrying what looked like a giant fly-swatter, something that made his head appear unusually large, and something strapped to his torso. Giry let out a very audible "Ooh!" when he brushed past them, on his way from one side of the bridge to the other.

Phantom4ever said: "When Meg pulled down the cover, Ben was just sitting there looking at her--so awkward! But he instantly popped back and the "back" of the chair went into place in front of him"

Wow! I've seen this show more than 100 times now, including Broadway, London, and various touring productions, but never when the throne malfunctioned. Is there a mechanism that pulls him into the back cavity of the chair? If not, I'm trying to figure out how he could just "pop" back.

Updated On: 8/11/22 at 04:15 PM