The best PHANTOMS and the worst?- Page 3

[Gingersnap2]

Posted: 4/9/07 at 10:43am

All personal bias aside, Hugh Panaro. The first time I saw him (two years ago today), I wasn't sure I liked him....partly because I went into it with half-a-lifetime of too-high expectations and partly because there was a chatty woman behind me. But I went back two months later and he just amazed me.

The more Phantoms I see and hear, the more I impressed I am with Hugh in the role. He managed to keep it fresh...even when I saw him in the role multiple times. His performance never lost its impact.

And Mikael Samuelson, on the Swedish cast recording, is wonderful.

Jeff Keller - a shame he was never in the role full time. His Angel reprise was wrenching and his "Wandering Child" was excellent.

There are quite a few others I really like...but those three are my standouts.

Worst...well, maybe he was having an off-day, but nothing about Gary Mauer impressed me. I was really looking forward to seeing him because I'd heard a lot of great reviews. But, midway through his Music of the Night, I was hoping Raoul would show up early, knock the Opera Ghost on the head, and live happily ever with Christine...minus the rest of the show.

And the same applies with Howard McGillin. He pulls off the scary insane part fine, but he never builds any sympathy for me and I don't find anything compelling or seductive or hypnotic about him at all. During "Angel of Music," I'm thinking, "Honey, if you think roaring at me is going to get me to walk through a mirror with you...forget it." Again, when I saw him, I was really looking forward to him.

[sidjones09]

Posted: 4/9/07 at 10:53am

Hugh Panaro