The Broadway production + Original US Replica tour

SenorSwanky wrote:Yeah, that was a nice brochure. Though were these actually all from a performance? The shot of the chandelier with David Caddick in the pit was before an empty house. Doesn't look like the pit orchestra was there either.

Not a regular performance for an audience, but the dress rehearsal for the cast. Or that's how they do it elsewhere, anyway.

Thanks, Stranger, for posting those two pics (Phantom in the angel, and Phantom holding veil) -- they're gorgeous! That photographer is VERY talented.

I also learned Hugh swears by Kay's book for his guide to the character; and yes it really showed through. Kays phantom has this dark but entertaining sarcastic streak to him, that is almost like an angry teenager at points; the way he mockingly delivered "raise up your hands to the level of your eyes!" and his feet stopping like an angry child while sitting on his throne, just screamed Kay to me. Also during WC he the way he said "Im here..Im herer..The angel of death!" was almost like someone beckoning you to come find them in a very clever hiding spot.

Yeah, I can see that. There's definitely that same superior attitude and wonderfully vicious sense of humor going on.

~LCD

I stand corrected, these shots are from a dress rehearsal the week of the 25th anniversary, but not form the actual performance itself. However, these are some of the most beautiful and atmospheric shots I've seen in a long while, and they feature Sam Hill..so it's a win/win

Seven minutes of the footage they filmed of the current 25th Anniversary Cast! (They've clearly filmed the whole show)
http://broadwayworld.com/videoplay.php?colid=456851

Another great video, showcasing footage from the 25th anniversary performance and interviews from many previous Phantom's and Christine's at the after party

Interesting remark by Kyle in that Hal was the one in charge of assembling the 25th anniversary cast, and hand picked the trio we were presented with.
I know it's been said somewhere before, but notice at 12:15 Ramin's remark "my time with the Phantom is over, I'm just enjoying being a fan now"


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vikb1BduMs

Double post!

Some fellow board-members pointed out a very interesting bit of information

When Sam Hill and Peter Joback become principals this spring it will be the first time since Brightman/Crawford had the roles in 1988 that the two leads are played by foreigners. Love it.

I really, really don't want to believe this...but according to Craig Schulman's Facebook (and Craig was relaying the news from Dodie Petit), Kevin Gray passed away last night.

OMG...no. Any more info?

http://broadwayworld.com/article/Broadways-Kevin-Gray-Dies-at-55-Starred-in-PHANTOM-THE-LION-KING-SHOWBOAT-SPIDER-WOMAN-More-20130212

This is very sad news indeed! He was only 55! And he and his wife had just attended the Phantom Bdwy 25th gala...they both looked so happy to be there.
My thoughts & prayers go to his wife Dodie and all his family and friends. A friend of mine (and fellow Phan) is a huge fan of his (he was one of her favorite Phantoms)...I know she'll be upset to hear this unfortunate news.
RIP Kevin -- you will be missed.

Oh my God. That is awful. I am so shocked, I had just seen him at the 25th Anniversary gala and he looked in good health.

How terrible. I am so sorry to hear that.

So sad, I was shocked to read this. Only 55 years old, terrible...
RIP Kevin Gray

October 31 1992 was one of the defining days of my life. I was taken by my parents to see the ALW musical version of Phantom of the Opera in Boston on Halloween night, with Kevin Gray as the Phantom. And then the show began. And for the next 2 and a half hours my life was changed in ways I cannot really explain but must try. For the first time I knew what I wanted to do with my life. As tears rained down my face at that man standing there alone, broken, having lost the only person who's ever loved him back at the finale, I knew I wanted to be an actor. I knew that power to affect feelings, to get people to see the world and truth in a different way was what I wanted to do. We never met but for all these years Kevin has been the inspiration for my acting in the same way I'm sure he was for so many lucky enough to be his students.

His take on the role was other worldly, tragic, broken and yet elegant and beautiful at the same time. We haven't seen anything quite like it before or since on Broadway. I've seen the show 39 times live since and there's never been anyone quite like Kevin as the Phantom. He opened me up to an understanding of romance, gave me a character who's heart had been as hurt as my own a little earlier with my first crush, so in that way he also affected my life more than he could ever know. I desperately wanted to see him at Phantom's 25th anniversary performance last month, but couldn't track him down in the massive crowd, and now I guess I will never be able to say thank you for setting me on my life's path all those years ago. RIP Kevin and my sympathy to your family.

So sad to hear, loved him in Phantom, loved him even more in Miss Saigon (I guess technically for me I am more of a fan through Miss Saigon that Phantom) prayers go out to his family, was actually hopeing he might come back to the role someday.

Thank you for sharing, Rob. I've heard from several people who became phans during Gray's tenure in the role (I missed out, but got to see him in The Lion King years later). He was a talented and magnetic performer and theatre is a much poorer place for his loss.

~LCD

There has been a lot of sadness in the theatre community today. We are indeed a poorer community without him. However, we should take his lessons and impact and become richer by honoring his work and dedication through our own actions. He touched many lives.

Sierra Boggess tweeted that the Broadway company dedicated last night's performance to Kevin, which I was hoping they would do, and which I think was a great way to honor him.

Samantha Hill will be leaving Phantom on Broadway sometime between now and summer... she's going to be playing Cosette in the Toronto Les Mis opposite Ramin Karimloo's Valjean. The revolving door of Christine shall continue!
http://playbill.com/news/article/174991-Torontos-New-Les-Miz-Will-Star-Ramin-Karimloo-Genevieve-Leclerc-Samantha-Hill-Lisa-Horner-Cliff-Saunders

AWW, loved her in the role, I guess she will sill have some time as principal Christine, unless she goes before Sierra leaves.

It's sort of exciting that there is no touring Phantom so now all the Broadway Christines will be fresh and new, unless they bring back older ones.

For those of you needing some warm fuzzies (especially after yesterday's news), check out Samantha Hill's photo shoot of a day in the life of the PotO cast. Lots of fun shots of people goofing off, hanging out, and just having a good time backstage.

~LCD

That's funny. Here's a similar photo gallery of Sierra Boggess backstage: Angel of Music!

Phantour wrote:That's funny. Here's a similar photo gallery of Sierra Boggess backstage: Angel of Music!

Thanks for the link, Phantour! Love seeing those pics of Sierra getting ready.

so I'm hearing from someone involved that the new US tour will be non-union. If true then I assume this sort of paves the way for certain rumours about a certain non-US phantom posible getting the part. It would surely be easier for him if the tour goes non-equity.

I tend to be leery of non-union tours...at least since I saw Aida back in 2006.

The show was so cheaply produced; I've seen community theatres with extremely low budgets put together better sets and costumes. Seriously, it was the shabbiest production values I've ever seen.

But the ticket prices were on the same level as a full Equity tour.

One bare bones set. One set of very cheap costumes. Canned music. And the ticket prices were within $5 of the tickets for full union shows (including Phantom) in the same season.

The average theatre-goer around here wouldn't even know when they buy the tickets that they're getting a non-union show.

I'd hate to see that happen with Phantom...now or down the road.

At this stage, I would rather they just opened the rights up to professional regional groups--there would be a better chance for creative original design and the better companies can get at least some Equity actors. There have been good local productions of Les Mis, Miss Saigon, and Sunset Boulevard; I don't see why PotO couldn't be done justice as well.

MajesticPhantom wrote:Samantha Hill will be leaving Phantom on Broadway sometime between now and summer... she's going to be playing Cosette in the Toronto Les Mis opposite Ramin Karimloo's Valjean. The revolving door of Christine shall continue!
http://playbill.com/news/article/174991-Torontos-New-Les-Miz-Will-Star-Ramin-Karimloo-Genevieve-Leclerc-Samantha-Hill-Lisa-Horner-Cliff-Saunders

What? I hoped she would be around for some time. I know I've nagged in the past about Christines staying too long in the role on Broadway. But I would like them to stay longer than some 4 months...

justin-from-barbados wrote:So sad to hear, loved him in Phantom, loved him even more in Miss Saigon (I guess technically for me I am more of a fan through Miss Saigon that Phantom) prayers go out to his family, was actually hopeing he might come back to the role someday.

Me too. He still would've been fantastic in the role. Glad they dedicated the show to him the other night.

I'm with Paula on the prospect of the new tour being non-Equity. Ugh.

Also, Sam Hill is frickin' adorable.

As of now Hill will most likely be with the production through Jobacks last which is Aug 24, that night looks to be the final bows for both Joback and Hill (unless of course they come back in the future)

For those of you who don't follow her on Twitter, Marni tweeted her upcoming alternate schedule; she's doing Mondays and Thursdays.

Also, there's this...though they haven't specified exactly who will be performing.

http://www.broadway.com/buzz/167515/phantom-chicago-avenue-q-more-to-perform-at-free-spotlight-on-town-hall-concert/

If I find out more about that, I'll post it...though past experiences with the office staff at Town Hall were downright awful.