The "Phantom" Chandelier- Page 2

[Thenardier]

Posted: 5/6/05 at 3:22pm

Because there is cool music when it's raised.

[peach]

Posted: 5/6/05 at 3:46pm

Ditto on the ascension in the overture. That's actually one of my favorite parts in the show...but yes, because it's got the creepy "haunted house" music so it's all dramatic.

The fall - like others, first time I saw it, it was pretty cool. Now I know it's coming and the effect is not quite so much. Plus...after you've seen it a few time, it starts to look like a big jellyfish.

Overall though - Phantom has great effects. I recently saw it again; and was reminded just how much fun this show is to "look at."

[DestinyBeckoned]

Posted: 5/6/05 at 4:20pm

Both places I have seen it in, I was wayyy in the back, so it really didn't thrill me. But my sister saw Phantom for the first time in Toronto, and she was in the third row...so yeah, she found it a lot more thrilling than I did. I personally was disappointed in how slow it moved, and I knew when it was coming, so it didn't even have the element of surprise for me.

[magicmanst]

Posted: 5/6/05 at 4:37pm

I can't wait for the phantom revival in 15 yrs. when they redo all of the effects, and that mofo comes flying down faster than Bobby Boland closed

[Joshua488]

Posted: 5/6/05 at 4:43pm

I'm just looking forward to the completely-revamped 90-minute version that is coming to Las Vegas in 2006. Harold Prince will be directing again, but there will be an actual lake onstage and the chandelier is supposed to actually burst into flames when it crashes, among other special effects.
Updated On: 5/6/05 at 04:43 PM

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 5/6/05 at 5:48pm

I saw it for the first time last year on tour. I already knew the chandelier was going to come down, but I thought it actually crashes down. To say the least, I was very dissapointed. It was almost laughable at how slow it went and how clearly you could see the wires.

[Thenardier]

Posted: 5/6/05 at 5:50pm

I think the coolest effect is when the fire shoots up from the stage and you could feel the heat - even in the back of the front mezz.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 5/6/05 at 5:53pm

The thing I don't like about the fire shots is that they make NO sound AT ALL. I was expecting at least a little noise, but got none. It made the whole thing seem very cheesy.

[Forester]

Posted: 5/6/05 at 5:56pm

I've seen Phantom in 4 different countries (US, UK, South Africa and Australia). Tell you what, the Australian version is the best cause that chandelier goes down the fastest. it was insane how fast that thing went. I almost jump out of the way in Australia.

Posted: 5/6/05 at 6:10pm

In my opinion, if you go to see POTO it SHOULD be to see the wonderful actors, the story, and the music. The chandelier and other special effects are a nice bonus, but certainly are the the soul reasons why the show still has its charm. :)

~Rosalynn

[DayDreamer]

Posted: 5/6/05 at 7:03pm

The first time I saw it I was in the balcony of the Kennedy Center, and from that perspective, it was somewhat of a disappointment. The second time I saw it I was center/front orchestra, and it was a lot more impressive.

[ShuQ]

Posted: 5/6/05 at 7:09pm

LoL...is there a reason that different countries have it flying at different speeds?

[Thenardier]

Posted: 5/6/05 at 7:11pm

It's the gravitational pull...

[BroadwayBallyBoo]

Posted: 5/6/05 at 10:33pm

The Chandelier was the best part of the show I was sitting underneath it at the Majestic Theatre in NY. It was huge and when Crawford was swinging it from a rope, I got a good look at him in the box above me , he winked at me. We had a great evening.

[EganFan2]

Posted: 5/6/05 at 11:08pm

I saw the tour and the London show. Both times I was like, "That's it?"

[ticenewyorkcity]

Posted: 5/6/05 at 11:19pm

when i was at camp we got an entire back stage tour of the majestic.
there are two sets of safety "brakes" installed into the theatre incase something goes wrong.

yes two stage hands due infact actually come on stage and stop the chandelier. that is because there is nothing to really stop the thing from crashing into the back of the stage and then possibly swinging back out again.

when i actually saw the show in new york the thing took forEVER to crash. but in a montreal production a specific area in the orch. was blocked off and the chandelier came crashing into the audience.

there are soo many stories about the show from lip syncing to doubles to costumes lordie someone should write a book

[Sally]

Posted: 5/7/05 at 12:03am

According to the documentary, "Behind the Mask" on the Phantom film DVD, the rate of fall of the chandelier is determined by the safty laws/rules of the country where the production is. Whoever was talking or narrating said that the Australians are braver so their chandelier falls very quickly

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 5/7/05 at 12:06am

I would also be in that group of 5 people :)

I'm seeing it when I go to London next year...along with every other show there. I didn't want to spend $100 to see some touring company in Chicago so..

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/7/05 at 2:39am

nevermind

Updated On: 5/7/05 at 02:39 AM

[Becky]

Posted: 5/7/05 at 2:40am

The one disappointment I found with the chandelier was that there wasn't much of a sound effect as it crashed. They missed a wonderful opportunity for this buildup *crash*, but you barely hear anything. Imagine if they had this amazing glass-breaking sound effect as it hit....now that would add to the moment.

Each time I see a stage production, I hope that there will be a loud crashing sound. Each time? Nothing.

[NYBroadwayNY]

Posted: 5/7/05 at 5:57am

4 words.....
WILLING suspension of DISbelief

We all know they can't just have the thing plummeting down at the speed of light, crashing to pieces on the stage, which is what would actually happen, if this were done.

It's not the movies, it's theatre. They have to be safe and have to do this "effect" 8 times a week. Pretty awesome to see, given that.

[LilMiZBroADwaY23]

Posted: 5/7/05 at 10:55am

The assension is amazing. I get chills everytime I see it.

But I also love the decension. When I had front row center seats, after I had seen the musical four times I was sitting there "SH*T, I hope that wire doesn't break." and looking over at my friend whom it was her first and only Broadway experience was funny.

[Carl Magnum]

Posted: 5/7/05 at 11:36am

Years and years and years ago, I toured the Cannon, then Pantages, theatre in Toronto while Phantom was still there. We got alot of info on the chandelier that for some reason I still remember. They said that, at the time, the sit down production in LA had the fastest Chan drop and the NY production for whatever reason had the slowest. Who knows why?

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 5/7/05 at 11:44am

Here is a burning question. WHat happens to it once the show closes? Does it go to the home for retired chandaliers from long running ALW shows? Is it broken up & each piece sold @ Broadway souvenir stores?

[WISHIHADATONY]

Posted: 5/7/05 at 12:53pm

anyone who has REALLY seen PHANTOM knows that the falling of the chandelier is the least important moment of its use........THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA would be a riveting masterpiece without any chandelier at all. The real spectacular effect of the chandelier that is known by those who have really seen the show? After about 90 seconds on stage......the thrilling ear pounding overture starts and the chandelier is on the stage,covered because it is being auctioned off.......at the very beginning of the overture........the cloth cover comes off the chandelier and it beings to crackle and spark and it RISES breathtakingly to the top of the theater crackling and sparkling to the thrilling music. The opening of PHANTOM and the chandelier's rise to the roof of the theater is one of the most goosebump inducing moments ever created for the theater. And that is only the beginning of this masterpiece. Be aware of folks who talk about PHANTOM as the "chandelier" show or something like that. It is usually a dead giveaway that in reality, they have never seen it. Anyone who has actually seen PHANTOM knows it is the mesmerizing rise of the chandelier that starts the show that is one of the most masterful moments in musical theater history.