Who has turned down the role of Phantom...

[Tsao5]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 2:34pm

I recall reading that a slew of singers have turned down the role of the Phantom over the years, Meatloaf, Gary Morris (?), Mandy P., Jonathan Price....does anyone know of any other actors who have either turned it down..or wanted to play the part but have not been offered (Donny Osmond, I think wanted too). Just curious..........

[kec]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 2:42pm

There is a story that Hugh Jackman had been offered the film role, but he had to turn it down due to a prior commitment -- some little show he was going to do on Broadway. What was the name of that show again?

[Fosse76]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 3:28pm

Donny Osmond was offered the role and turned it down.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 3:33pm

Interesting. Where did you hear that Mandy Patinkin was offered the role? And Jonathan Pryce? He's a good character singer, but I don't think he could handle the Phantom...

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 3:41pm

I don't think either could handle the role, agreed.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 3:47pm

"Mandy P." You shouldn't assume that everyone will know that you are talking about Mandy Patinkin.

[KQuill]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 3:55pm

I think we have a tendency to underestimate people just because they have made their mark elsewhere. I think Jonathan Pryce would do a terrific job as the Phantom the more I think about it.

Let's not forget about what people said about Michael Crawford when he was slotted for the role...which is basically the same things that you guys are saying about Pryce.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 3:58pm

Mandy Patinkin could handle the role, he's just wrong for it. You blow RB.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 4:07pm

Ha, oh bobby, how i've missed you. And I agree, Mandy doesn't suck, he just has an annoying singing voice. I loved him on "Dead Like Me."

[lifeisacabaret]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 5:24pm

Meatloaf would sound wonderful (if 'interesting'), but frankly i dont want to see a Phantom that fat- it just wont suit the character. Also, the Phantom is a very physical role (backstage climbing ladders, gantrys etc), and i am doubtful that Meatloaf could handle the exertion.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 5:35pm

Or actors that played it but shouldn't have?

cough Robert Guillame cough

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 5:54pm

M.P.'s singing voice is NOT annoying. Now H.J, HE has an annoying singing voice.

[WeddedBliss22]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 5:56pm

Donny Osmond was offered it in both London and Toronto, the reason he couldn't accept is that he was doing his talk show, he's stated he'd love to play it one day.

[WiiCKED x3]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 5:57pm

Pryce was offered the role?!

That's a little... weird. I can't immagine him playing that role.

[DefyingEDCT]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 6:01pm

Anyone and everyone whos smart would.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 6:04pm

Has the girl with the golden hair turned it down? No one says it has to be played by a man.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 6:07pm

Idina? She CAN do anything, you know

Updated On: 8/22/06 at 06:07 PM

[Theatreboy33]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 6:07pm

According to a radio interview for the American Theatre Wing's weekly program, Jonathan Pryce first saw Les Miserables and Phantom and was amazed by their power of emotion and the music in them and stated that he'd like to do a musical like them. He was then offered to be the first replacement for Michael Crawford in the London production but rejected the offer stating that he thought that Crawford has done all that could be done with the role. He then was able to fulfill his wish when the Les Mis composers offered him the Engineer role in Miss Saigon. And by the way, Pryce did a test for Andrew Lloyd Weber to prove he could perform the role, so any questioning of ability is basically unjust.

[luvliza89]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 6:09pm

I think having an annoying singing voice is required for this role actually.

[morosco]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 6:17pm

At some point wasn't Michael Ball been offered the role? I seem to recall that he has an open invitation from ALW to play the Phantom.

[lifeisacabaret]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 6:20pm

Right before Chitty, he was offered, auditioned for and almost accepted, and he wouldve taken it, had chitty not come along. The reasons for him taking Chitty were that a) they offered him more money, and b)the attraction of doing a 'new' show had more appeal for him at that time.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 6:32pm

Was Michael Ball offered the role in the London or Broadway production.

When Michael Damian opened in Joseph... He claimed he was doing Phantom in the near future. I didn't buy it then and I'm still not buying it. Now 13 years later, his "near future" never happened. Thank goodness.

[morosco]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 6:48pm

"Was Michael Ball offered the role in the London or Broadway production."

I don't know the answer to that but he'd sure be wonderful in the role.

[lifeisacabaret]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 7:34pm

It Was London. John Owen-Jones was hired instead, and went on to be the longest running Phantom in the West End.

[jo]

Posted: 8/22/06 at 7:43pm

Michael Ball has recorded some songs from PHANTOM OF THE OPERA -Phantom of the Opera, Music of the Night, and All I Ask of You -all excellent renditions.

Michael was also Raoul in the stage production when it was first re-cast ( the late Steve Barton was going to Broadway with Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman). There is a story narrated by Michael that when he was auditioning for Raoul, that he sang the soprano line towards the end( he doesn't read notes/music) instead, for ALL I ASK OF YOU. Andrew Lloyd Webber liked it and decided to keep it in.


Updated On: 8/22/06 at 07:43 PM