The best PHANTOMS and the worst?- Page 2
The best PHANTOMS and the worst?
#26re: The best PHANTOMS and the worst?
Posted: 12/4/06 at 4:11pmANTHONY WARLOW
"They're eating her and then they're going to eat me. OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!" -Troll 2
SDav 10495
Broadway Star Joined: 7/21/06
#27re: The best PHANTOMS and the worst?
Posted: 12/4/06 at 4:33pm
Best: Davis Gaines. He was my first Phantom, although I admit I don't remember much of his live performance other than the fact that I loved it (hey, it was over a decade ago). But seeing and hearing him again, uh, not live sealed the deal for me. He has the perfect poise, gestures, and boy does he have the perfect voice for the role. (Close runners-up for me would be the ever-popular Hugh Panaro and Michael Crawford, both of whom are amazing actors and singers, but who feel just a little too nasal compared to Gaines' rich voice.)
Worst: I can't really say...while I do have definite favorites I hesitate to call anyone the "worst". I wasn't thrilled by Colm Wilkinson. I also want to say Gerard Butler--for the same reason as Colm, he just has the wrong voice--but I don't think you can really compare the movie actor with the stage actors, similar though the role of the Phantom is in both. I also think Butler put a lot into the role and gave a solid performance in terms of acting...the problem is that he was miscast.
"If there is going to be a restoration fee, there should also be a Renaissance fee, a Middle Ages fee and a Dark Ages fee. Someone must have men in the back room making up names, euphemisms for profit."
(Emanuel Azenberg)
#28re: The best PHANTOMS and the worst?
Posted: 12/4/06 at 5:33pmJohn Cudia.
-Benjamin
--http://www.benjaminadgate.com/
--http://www.benjaminadgate.com/
#29re: The best PHANTOMS and the worst?
Posted: 12/4/06 at 5:41pmI've seen Ted Keegan, James Romack, Howard McGillan, Tim Martin Gleason, and Anthony Crivello... and my favorite was definitely Anthony Crivello. His was a different Phantom altogether.
#30re: The best PHANTOMS and the worst?
Posted: 12/4/06 at 5:46pmBest- Ted Keegan. Worst- everyone else.
#31re: The best PHANTOMS and the worst?
Posted: 12/4/06 at 5:51pmHugh Panaro actually scared me a little bit, which was new and fun. His voice is god-like too!
bwayondabrain
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/05
#32re: The best PHANTOMS and the worst?
Posted: 12/4/06 at 5:54pm
I saw Hugh as the Phantom and he was pretty dang good :)
So I could definitely say he is one of the best, like, I prefer Hugh's voice to Michael Crawford's, if that is a compliment
alicia_11212
Understudy Joined: 2/11/06
#33re: The best PHANTOMS and the worst?
Posted: 12/4/06 at 6:00pmThis is *slightly* OT, but is there a master list somewhere of every person who's ever played the Phantom (touring, B-way, every show excluding maybe regional, etc.)? I need to find that list, if there is one. Or would this be a little too "needle in a hackstack"? Just wondering if *someone* out there has a list (obviously, with about as much accuracy as can be expected, as it would be impossible to get *everyone*). I'd love it if anyone had any ideas on that, or leads that they could provide me with.
"We all get blue, I say,
Hang on tight, I'll be your bodyguard."
-Tick, tick..BOOM!
#34re: The best PHANTOMS and the worst?
Posted: 12/4/06 at 6:14pm
I've only seen Hugh on Youtube, but he was a little over the top for my tastes. Anthony Crivello's Phantom is kind of similar to his, just not campy.
Try this message board for the master list, if it's not there I'm sure someone will point you in the right direction.
phans online
#35re: The best PHANTOMS and the worst?
Posted: 12/4/06 at 6:17pm
alicia, check out older copies of this:
http://www.amazon.com/Best-Plays-2000-2001-Guernsey-Yearbook/dp/product-description/0879109688
They used to chronicle everyone. Not sure if they do anymore.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
#36re: The best PHANTOMS and the worst?
Posted: 12/4/06 at 6:19pm
Panaro, Warlow, McGillin IMO
I also really liked Cudia on the tour, but not my favorite.
...What happened next, was stranger still, a woman breathless and afraid, appeared out of the night, completely dressed in white. She had a secret she would tell, of one who had mistreated her. Her face and frightened gaze, my mind cannot erase...But then she ran from view. She looked so much like you...
Anti-Romanticist
Understudy Joined: 8/23/06
#37re: The best PHANTOMS and the worst?
Posted: 12/4/06 at 9:46pm
I admit I have not heard a lot of Phantoms before and I'm not including Gerard Butler because as much as I enjoyed his Phantom, it wouldn't be fair to compare him with Broadway actors since he's a movie actor. I've heard Michael Crawford, Steve Barton, Gary Mauer, Hugh Panaro and Howard McGillin (Howard being the only one I've seen live). And frankly, I think Howard is my favorite, ignoring my bias because he was the Phantom I saw onstage.
I respectfully disagree with those who say his Phantom is not consistent in acting and that his PONR needs help (however his voice did boom really loudly on the mirror scene). When I saw him, his acting was an emotional, consistent progression from a very loyal, in-control and diligent man to a melancholy, emotionally wrecked take which I thought fit perfectly with Michael Shawn Lewis's amicable Raoul. I like his singing too--one moment it can be harsh and then another moment it can be soft and loving. And when Howard sings Music of the Night and he hits that "soar"...Perfect. I really did want to soar when I heard it.
Least favorites...Michael Crawford is a good singer and all, but his voice sounds more ghost-like to me than angelic (which is how Gaston Leroux describes Erik's voice). That's just personal preference though.
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mr14
Understudy Joined: 7/5/06
#38re: The best PHANTOMS and the worst?
Posted: 12/4/06 at 10:51pmI have seen many, but my favorite was James Romick who was an understudy. He was fantastic. Anyone else see him?
themerrywidow
Swing Joined: 12/4/06
#39re: The best PHANTOMS and the worst?
Posted: 12/12/06 at 9:36am
hey candarianmoose elaborate more on why you liked mcgillin and panaro
#40re: The best PHANTOMS and the worst?
Posted: 12/12/06 at 10:44am
I haven't seen POTO since '91, but of the three Phantoms I've seen Michael Crawford was the best. His voice, while not angelic, is creepy and added to the tension, and his physical grace was astonishing. His performance was all the more amazing considering he had nothing to work with given Sarah Brightman's lack of presence as Christine.
Chris Groenendaal sang it beautifully and was a very moving Phantom.
Marc Jacoby was sinister and heavy handed.
I haven't seen it since then, so I have no idea about all of the other men who've played the part. But those are my choices based on who I've seen.
Cheyenne Jackson tickled me. AFTER ordering SoMMS a drink but NOT tickling him, and hanging out with Girly in his dressing room (where he DIDN'T tickle her) but BEFORE we got married. To others. And then he tweeted Boobs. He also tweeted he's good friends with some chick on "The Voice" who just happens to be good friends with Tink's ex. And I'm still married. Oh, and this just in: "Pettiness, spite, malice ....Such ugly emotions... So sad." - After Eight, talking about MEEEEEEEE!!! I'm so honored! :-)
Mischief
Understudy Joined: 11/3/06
coolphantom919
Broadway Star Joined: 6/6/06
#42re: The best PHANTOMS and the worst?
Posted: 12/13/06 at 9:14amI think Gary Mauer IS the Phantom!!
phantomCA26
Understudy Joined: 5/6/05
#43re: The best PHANTOMS and the worst?
Posted: 12/14/06 at 12:29am
I've seen the following:
Brent Barrett
Davis Gaines
Anthony Crivello
Franc D'Ambrosio
Howard McGillin
Rick Hilsabeck
Ted Keegan
Ron Bohmer
Grant Norman
Brad Little
Mike Sterling (UK)
My fave: Ted Keegan
Least fave: Anthony Crivello
Updated On: 12/14/06 at 12:29 AM
Colle
Broadway Star Joined: 2/13/06
#44re: The best PHANTOMS and the worst?
Posted: 12/14/06 at 9:18amHas anyone here seen Randal Keith as the Phantom? I have never seen the show, though I assume Randal was good in the role because I thought he was great as Valjean in Les Mis.
#45re: The best PHANTOMS and the worst?
Posted: 12/14/06 at 12:41pm
I've only seen Hugh Panaro and Gary Maur as the Phantom and I enjoyed BOTH of them.
Hugh has a AMAZING "Music of The Night"
Gary's Phantom made me cry...he made me feel sorry for the Phantom and I agree his ending is damn good and its a tear jerker.
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robert2
Swing Joined: 1/31/05
#46re: The best PHANTOMS and the worst?
Posted: 4/9/07 at 9:39am
THE BEST PHANTOM IS JOHN CUDIA!! FANTASTIC ACTOR AND HIS VOICE IS GREAT.. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HIM ON BROADWAY...
Updated On: 4/9/07 at 09:39 AM
#47re: The best PHANTOMS and the worst?
Posted: 4/9/07 at 9:49amhoward mcgillan..amazing in phantom
#48re: The best PHANTOMS and the worst?
Posted: 4/9/07 at 10:18ammerrywidow, i highly disagree with most of your initial critisism. Makes me wonder...
yellibean2
Featured Actor Joined: 5/17/06
#49re: The best PHANTOMS and the worst?
Posted: 4/9/07 at 10:28am
I've only seen two live any they were both amazing, but Gary Mauer is definitely my favorite, although I LOVED Hugh Panaro as well.
Worst? Gerard Butler without a doubt.
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