Who's going to see PHANTOM 25th in theaters today? — Page 3

Overall, it's clear in this thread as to who's concerned with actual performance versus the tech geekery that's been introduced by the British mega musicals. While I never liked Phantom for the 'effects' that people got all wet over, I think this latest version worked well when you had that level of talent on stage, selling the living *hit out of the material.

They ALL made good choices as actors and vocalists. They made ALW's music sound better. For that, I could care less about the lack of falling lighting or why this or that prop wasn't used as per usual. Get over it folks. This is still musical theatre: Appreciate it for what it is at the very base of things... People telling story through song.




BN

Ben- You keep hitting the nail on the head!

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I thought it was great.

It was my first time experiencing a live event in a cinema, and it was a little odd hearing the applause at the Albert Hall and mostly silence from the crowd (full house) that I was sitting with. Applause moments for us were after Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again, after which some people got quite animated, with the man behind me louding proclaiming "stunning!".

There must've been some Colm Wilkinson fans there too, 'cos he got a ripple of applause and a few exited squeals.

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Updated On: 10/3/11 at 09:09 PM

Thanks! I'll try to order the CD through RUG, then. Price is not so bad. :)

Just got back from seeing the show in Vancouver. Absolutely incredible.

Sierra's voice was simply amazing, beautiful performance..

Ramin BLEW ME AWAY. Seriously. I was practically in tears at the end. He was just simply insane..

I have never had the chance to see the show, I just knew the music, but I loved it. It was simply magificent.

I took my friend who does not know musicals, didn't know the show, she was so happy. She screamed when she left the theatre. On such a high right npw!

John Owen-Jones is, in my life, the greatest I have ever seen in that role. But, even beyond Phantom, his performance in the role was one of the best I have ever seen in anything...ever. Here is why:

Firstly, he goes to an extraordinarily ugly place as the Phantom. It is so terrifying to watch him in that Final Lair sequence that it can't help but make one uncomfortable or emotional (depending on the person). He is often labeled as overacting, which I disagree with...he is totally truthful in his devastation, and I think sometimes audiences get frustrated with messy, rather than embracing the ugly truth.

Secondly, his vocal control with both speech and singing is outstanding. This man can SCREAM and then sing soaring notes the next moment 8-times-a-week. But he lives truthfully within it, and it's just stellar. Even if you've seen Phantom a ton (or haven't), if you're interested in just seeing really titanic work on stage, see the show for him, if for nothing else.

I am seriously going to rave about his work for years to come. It was mind blowing.

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Updated On: 10/4/11 at 09:55 AM

Wait, Sierra is too old for Christine? Isn't she one of the youngest to play the part lately?

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http://www.amazon.com/Phantom-Opera-Royal-Albert-Hall/dp/B005SFR7YE/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1317820621&sr=8-10

Now for pre-order on Amazon.

Never witnessed such beauty. Will definitely be purchasing DVD and CD.

It's sh*t that the US has to wait until February. You'd think the other country with the longest run would get the DVD during the first release. Or at least soon after...

Got to see some clips on the tube before they were taken down and it really was a beautiful production with some wonderful performances. I do agree Ramin is too young, however he is very good. I can't wait to see him return to the role 10-15 years from now, he'd be incredible. My favorite, and very first, Phantom is Hugh Panaro so it's nearly impossible for anyone to top him. Though I LOVE John Owen Jones and was kind of shocked that he wasn't offered the part too. If I'm not mistaken he's played the role the longest of any actor on the West End, I could be wrong though. But Ramin and Sierra are ALW's golden couple of the moment, so I can understand why they were given the roles.

Sierra is a wonderful Christine and there's no way she is too old. The girl is only 29! There are women playing the role well into their late 30s and sometimes early 40s.

I actually really enjoyed the AIAOY reprise after the Final Lair. While I don't really agree with the sequel of the show, the whole second kiss and returning of the ring signify characteristically that there was a part of Christine that wanted to stay. Granted some Christine's haul ass out of there as soon as they can but others do linger. And I remember during Hugh Panaro's first final performance, Sandra Joseph actually kissed the ring before she handed it to him, granted of course there was more going on there than just the show but still. There's many ways that exit can be played and I really enjoyed how it was done in the concert.

Can't wait to pick this up on DVD/CD!!

Saw the screening last night and loved the show. Based on the screening, it came out that Christine was truly the star of the show and deserved the final bow. Sierra sang and acted the role beautifully. "Wishing You Were…" was truly a highlight. Hadley gave us a Raoul that actually had balls. He portrayed Raoul in such a way that I can tell he was aristocratic, has pride yet still likable. It makes it easier to believe where the character heads in LND. I also loved the characterization of La Carlotta. She seemed very much helpless and a victim of the Phantom much like everyone else. As for Ramin's Phantom, I thought he was a bit whiny in the first act though his acting decisions in the second act, especially the Final Confrontation was remarkable. I have seen this show over 15 times and I still managed to tear up a little bit with his performance. Finally, I liked how Christine said goodbye to the Phantom. She was truly pained. After all, she had been with the Phantom longer than she had been with Raoul.

Watching this last night, I realized it was the first time PHANTOM has ever made me cry at the end.