phantom of the opera- should I see it again?- Page 2

[dev101]

Posted: 4/18/15 at 8:21am

I have see Phantom 5 times over the years and could see it again every year. I love it, and I find that each new phantom brings something special to the role. 

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 4/18/15 at 9:10am

"There are so many other shows to watch in NYC than an ancient overrated POTO (and any haters keep away)"

 You do realize that by saying you don't want anyone to give negative comments to your post, that you're only going to open the door for that potential possibility.

 

In any event, regarding the topic at hand. During my few trips to London, I wanted to go out of my way and see things that I could only see in London. After all, there are a lot of shows that have both West End and Broadway productions still going on. However, for fans of a particular show, I can understand the appeal. Using Phantom as the example, there are fans of the show who've seen it countless times on Broadway, but want to see it in London. Maybe it's because they want to be able to say that they saw the original production, maybe they want to see how the current West End Phantom compares with the current Broadway Phantom. It's up to you at the end of the day. I can see the appeal either way. 

[broadwaybabywannabe2]

Posted: 4/18/15 at 9:51am

with so much new material on Broadway to check out...as The Devine Ms. M once said..."WHY BOTHER?"

[Monty12112]

Posted: 5/2/15 at 5:50pm

Saw Phantom for the first time today.  It was a great show but the theater was pretty empty.   I got rear mezz seats knowing how empty the theater was and ended up moving up to the front row of the front mezz (Great view compared to how far back the seats were in the rear mezz.)  The entire rear mezz was filled but only 1/3 of the front mezz was filled and about 75% of the orchestra was filled.   

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 5/2/15 at 9:53pm

^ Sales for this show usually pick up tremendously during the summer and major vacation times. It'll be different in a few weeks.

[Monty12112]

Posted: 5/2/15 at 10:26pm

Good to know that it is just an 'off' time of the year or this showing in particular.  I would hate to see the show go as it is a classic.  

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 5/3/15 at 11:01am

There are so many shows that I disliked the first time I saw them and then grew to like and even love them over repeated viewings, such as Kinky Boots, Newsies, Les Miserables, and Chicago to name a few.  

 

Newsies was particularly odd because the first time I thought that it was fine but I never needed to see it again.  A friend asked me to go see it with him and I went and thought the same thing.  Then I saw it a third time with another friend who asked me and I just feel head over heels in love with the music, choreography....everything.   

Chicago I saw on tour years ago and I hated it.  Finally saw it on Broadway when Usher did his sting about 10 years ago and I adored it and have been a devoted fan ever since. 

 

Phantom is one show that I loved from the first time I saw it.  There is something so comforting about the show--not the subject material, but the staging.  I really love going back and seeing the exact same staging elements and always noticing new things about them, but I also love seeing new actors do and say things just a tiny bit different.   One of my favorite elements is in the Don Juan opera when Carlotta has to put an apple in a roasted pig's mouth.  I have seen the apple pop back out of the pig's mouth and bounce across the stage at least ten times.  It's so interesting to how the different actors react to it and when and how they go pick it up. Something very small, but interesting to me.  

 

So in summary, I say that if you are even slightly curious about seeing a show a second of (in my case 54th time), then by all means go.  It sure it is great to see new shows, but nothing beats that comforting feeling of seeing an old favorite onstage once again. 

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 5/3/15 at 4:43pm

Scratch Living On Love. It closed today.

See Rotten or The Visit  or On The Town( both if still running) . 

[AHLiebross]

Posted: 5/7/15 at 1:18am

Definitely, see POTO. I have never seen GR (although I'd love to get to London), and I'm dying to see JB in New York.  I have seen the original version a bunch of times (I'd have to count) and the new touring production once so far.  Even in a show like POTO, where each performance is supposed to be a clone of the others, that each performance is different. I've seen the Broadway version experiment with a very young Mme. Firmin, who, based on her facial expressions, was supposed to be a vapid gold-digger. I've seen one Christine (Mary Michael Patterson) give the Phantom a longing glance as she left with Raoul.

Each Phantom has a different take on what makes the character tick. If you say, "Been there, done that," and forego seeing this version, you'll miss James Barbour's incredible interpretation of MOTN.  (When I heard it online, it put me in the mood for love, to express it euphemistically.) Besides, JB is a baritone, and I love  deeper voices in the role.

If you look at my signature, you'll see I'm not objective about POTO. Still, I say "GO-O-O-O-O!"

 

[nicnyc]

Posted: 5/7/15 at 4:23am

If you want to see an unbelievable portrayal of The Phantom, watch the Royal Albert Hall version on Netflix starring Ramin Karimloo.  I've been fortunate to see a number of wonderful Phantoms including Michael Crawford - but I think Karimloo's performance blows them all away.

http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/The-Phantom-of-the-Opera-at-the-Royal-Albert-Hall/70224562

 

As far as new shows, I whole-heartedly recommend getting tickets to a preview perfomance of "HAMILTON" (one of the best shows I've ever seen).  I also highly recommend "FUN HOME".  "SOMETHING ROTTEN" is worth considering too - it's pure fluff but a very enjoyable evening.

Updated On: 5/7/15 at 04:23 AM

[rdsport323]

Posted: 5/12/15 at 1:03am

i second watching the netflix version.

its incredible

[AHLiebross]

Posted: 5/12/15 at 6:08am

I don't agree that Ramin Karimloo's 25th anniversary was that great, although he is a fantastic actor whom I thought was brilliant in Les Miz. As the Phantom, I thought he was too petulant and I didn't like how he handled the unmasking scene -- almost hysterical. Even when the Phantom is furious, I see him as retaining an element of control, which is what makes him so dangerous.