Re: 25th anniversary celebrations

PMB1034 Fri Jun 24, 2011 5:27 pm

David Dolman tweeted the official website was being on the 20th? Wonder why the delay?

http://twitter.com/#!/dollydolman/status/70766049334796288

justin-from-barbados Fri Jul 01, 2011 12:35 pm

http://broadwayworld.com/article/THE-PHANTOM-OF-THE-OPERA-25th-Anniversary-Concert-Announced-for-Royal-Albert-Hall-20110701_page1

I'm thrilled, I know with Ramin Sierra and Liz there is an obvious LND connection going on. Still no news on who will be Carlotta.

I just hope they do film it.

LadyCDaae Fri Jul 01, 2011 1:36 pm

Sigh, and yawn. I was hoping ALW et al. would show a bit more creativity than just making this LND: The Reunion Tour. There I go giving him too much credit again.

Odd that they haven't announced a Raoul yet. Poor guy doesn't get ANY respect, does he?

~LCD

Scorp Fri Jul 01, 2011 2:02 pm

While I couldn't care less about the cast, I am thrilled that the official website has had a makeover and there is also a separate website for the 25th anniversary concert:

http://www.phantom25th.com

And not any purple in sight! I think we may hopefully have seen the back of the purple. And because it's Cameron behind the concert (although clearly ALW has had a say in the casting), the YouTube video (which is the same as the video they showed on Oliviers night) has no mention of everything that went wrong in the past few years, from the film to LND. Hopefully we can pretend they never happened...PLEASE no LND merchandise at the Albert Hall.

Starryeyed tells me tickets are £250!!! Hahaha I'm not paying that, especially not for this cast. The only occasion I might have even *thought* about paying that (and I doubt I even would have) is if it was a massive OLC reunion rather than a LND reunion. I might spend £25 but any more than that and I think I'll go to Her Majesty's instead.

Here's the press release:

The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall

1 July, 2011
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS

CAMERON MACKINTOSH PRESENTS ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER’S THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL ON SATURDAY 1ST AND SUNDAY 2ND OCTOBER 2011.

RAMIN KARIMLOO AND SIERRA BOGGESS LEAD A CAST AND ORCHESTRA OF OVER 200.

TICKETS ON SALE MONDAY 4TH JULY AT 10.00AM

Cameron Mackintosh is delighted to present Andrew Lloyd Webber’s THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday 1st October at 7.30pm and Sunday 2nd October at 1.30pm and 7.00pm. Tickets for “Phantom of the Opera at the Albert Hall” go on sale on Monday 4 July at 10.00am and are available on 0845 401 5045 or at www.phantom25th.com.

This lavish, fully staged production of “Phantom of the Opera at the Albert Hall” will star Ramin Karimloo as ‘The Phantom’ and Sierra Boggess as ‘Christine’. They will be joined by Barry James as ‘Monsieur Firmin’, Gareth Snook as ‘Monsieur André’, Liz Robertson as ‘Madame Giry’ and Wynne Evans as ‘Piangi’ together with a cast and orchestra of over 200 and some special guest appearances.

“Phantom of the Opera at the Albert Hall” will be directed by Laurence Connor with Musical Staging and Choreography by Gillian Lynne. The Royal Albert Hall will be transformed with a spectacular and unique design by Matt Kinley inspired by Maria Björnson’s original design. Lighting is by Patrick Woodroffe and Andrew Bridge and Sound by Mick Potter. The original London production was directed by Hal Prince.

Ramin Karimloo’s theatre credits include, leading roles in “Love Never Dies” (2011 Olivier Award Nominee and Winner of the 2011 What’s On Stage Award, both for ‘Best Actor in a Musical’), “The Phantom of the Opera” (Theatre Goers’ Choice Award Nomination) “Les Misérables”, “Miss Saigon”, “The Pirates of Penzance” and “Sunset Boulevard”.

Ramin had the privilege of performing as ‘Enjolras’ in “Les Misérables – A Special Concert at Windsor Castle” to celebrate the centenary of the Entente Cordiale, in front of Her Majesty The Queen and also reprised the role for the 25th Anniversary celebration of “Les Misérables at The 02”. Recordings include: his own album “Within the Six Square Inch” and the première symphonic recording of “Love Never Dies”. Ramin has signed with a major label and is currently recording his first solo album.

Sierra Boggess is currently starring opposite Tyne Daly in the Broadway revival of Terrence McNally’s “Master Class”. Prior to that, she starred in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Love Never Dies” in the West End. For her performance as ‘Christine Daae,’ Sierra received a 2011 Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical. Sierra’s other NY theatre credits include starring as the title character in the Broadway production of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” (Drama Desk and Drama League nominations and Broadway.com award for Favourite Breakthrough Performance) and in the City Centre Encores! production of “Music in the Air”. She starred as ‘Christine’ in “Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular” and has been seen in the national tours of “Les Misérables” and “West Side Story”. Recordings include the Symphonic Recording of “Love Never Dies” and the Original Cast Album for Disney’s “The Little Mermaid”.

Sir Cameron Mackintosh said “It is amazing to think that the extraordinary success of The Phantom of the Opera is about to celebrate 25 years.

From the very first performance, audiences have fallen in love with the unique alchemy of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s gorgeous score and Maria Björnson’s fabulously beautiful design, so brilliantly staged by Hal Prince and Gillian Lynne.

The success of the show has become the stuff of theatrical legend so Andrew and I felt we needed to create a really special performance to celebrate the 25th anniversary.

One of the great strengths of The Phantom of the Opera is that being set in an opera house, its production is totally theatrical. So we felt that there could be no better 19th Century theatrical auditorium in London for this occasion than the Royal Albert Hall. With its Victorian red plush and celebrated magnificent organ it is the perfect place for The Phantom to haunt. Though this special staging will naturally be drawn from the brilliant original, it will be both a spectacular and unique production with a cast and orchestra of over 200 headed by Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess. Both artists have been an outstanding ‘Phantom’ and ‘Christine’ in recent productions and have also enjoyed huge success together as the stars of Love Never Dies. ("Huge success"?? I suppose in gaining attention if nothing else...)

I have no doubt that these three performances at the Royal Albert Hall will be a thrilling celebration of the Music of the Night.”

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA became the longest running show in Broadway history on 9 January 2006 when it celebrated its 7,486th performance, surpassing the previous record holder “Cats”. This coincided with the Broadway and the US national touring company celebrating an unprecedented 20,000 performances in the United States. In October 2010 the London production celebrated its 10,000th performance.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has won over 50 major theatre awards, including seven Tonys on Broadway and three Olivier Awards in the West End. It won the ‘Most Popular Musical Audience Award’, voted by the public, in the 2002 Laurence Olivier Awards. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, which opened at Her Majesty’s Theatre on 9 October 1986 starred Michael Crawford as ‘The Phantom’ and Sarah Brightman as ‘Christine.’ It is produced by Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Theatre Company Limited.

Worldwide, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has grossed over £3.2 billion. The box office revenues are higher than any film or stage play in history, including “Titanic”, “ET” and “Star Wars”. It has been seen in 145 cities in 27 countries and played to over 100 million people. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is currently showing in London, New York, Budapest, Las Vegas, and Kyoto.

PhantomsGhost Fri Jul 01, 2011 2:39 pm

It looks lovely.

I hope this will be recorded so it can be broadcast here in the states. I know the Les Miz concert was played in certain movie theaters around the country, so I'm r.e.a.l.l.y. hoping they will do the same thing again...

I just watched the video...Not bad. I was pleased and surprised to see a quick clip of Robert Guillaume in it.

SenorSwanky Fri Jul 01, 2011 3:17 pm

Really underwhelming casting, but nice trailer. Noticed pro-shot footage of Robert Guillaume that I'd never seen before.

operafantomet Fri Jul 01, 2011 4:05 pm

Scorp wrote:Starryeyed tells me tickets are £250!!! Hahaha I'm not paying that, especially not for this cast. The only occasion I might have even *thought* about paying that (and I doubt I even would have) is if it was a massive OLC reunion rather than a LND reunion. I might spend £25 but any more than that and I think I'll go to Her Majesty's instead.

WHAT?!?!?? That price is insane!

I agree with you others, it looks fantastic, and I'm glad they're embracing STAGE Phantom history and not everything Phantom. It's the stage show they're celebrating, after all. That said, the cast just doesn't do it for me (though I'm prepared to be wowed and regret saying that later on). And my love for Phantom doesn't lie in the music, but in the staging, the theatre experience. So just as Les Mis, the concert will probably be of high quality, but it doesn't give me the theatre experience I want, and I just don't feel the big urge to see it, despite the promising introduction. I wish I did, though. :/

And if the £250 price is correct, I just wanna laugh. Clearly it's not for me, content and price wise. Was the Les Mis one as expensive?

ETA: A few comments on the video:

1. I love the font with sound, nice continuation of the original cracked one.
2. I also love most of the footage. Only complaint would be that I wish they wrote which production each belonged to.
3. Would have wanted more clips from international productions - from Japan, Denmark, Argentina, Sweden, Germany, South Africa...
4. Wouldn't mind less interviews from the BBC documentary.
5. Seriously, the movie chandelier?
6. Love the new London footage.
7. All in all impressed.

Bric Fri Jul 01, 2011 4:54 pm

I agree with you others, it looks fantastic, and I'm glad they're embracing STAGE Phantom history and not everything Phantom. It's the stage show they're celebrating, after all.

Well, yes. 25 Years of the stage musical is the reason for the concert. I suspect that the movie footage was used because they have miles of good quality, in-living-color footage from the film and don't have as much visually good stuff to choose from with the stage production--despite the almost 25 year old belief of some fans that ALW has a commercial quality video recording down in his wine cellar. I think the trailer does a generally good and respectful job of honoring the show and a good job of promoting the concert.

That said, the cast just doesn't do it for me (though I'm prepared to be wowed and regret saying that later on). And my love for Phantom doesn't lie in the music, but in the staging, the theatre experience. So just as Les Mis, the concert will probably be of high quality, but it doesn't give me the theatre experience I want, and I just don't feel the big urge to see it, despite the promising introduction. I wish I did, though. :/

Going to the concert isn't an option for me, but I kind of doubt if I would go if I were going to be in London at the time of the concert. As for the DVD if there is one, I'll wait for reports to see how special the special guest appearances are. For me, love for this show includes the music, the story, the staging, and the actors---but with the right cast, I think I might be wowed by the concert anyway. I bought the DVD of the 2004 film to get the documentary.With the two leads that have been cast, however, no matter how well they sing, I dislike what they and their characters did in LND so much that I think their presence would set my teeth on edge.

Phantomlove Fri Jul 01, 2011 7:30 pm

Wohaaa, 250 Pounds?! I was actually thinking rather seriously about going to London to see this, but 250 Pounds for a ticket? If I were to spend that kind of money they definately need to get a more exciting cast than Ramin and Sierra. However, I am curious about how they are going to stage it and it would be kind of fun to see it, but I think I'd feel silly spending that much. Or maybe I should just put myself in housewiphe mood and start spending my husband's money? lol!

operafantomet Fri Jul 01, 2011 7:38 pm

Phantomlove wrote:Or maybe I should just put myself in housewiphe mood and start spending my husband's money?

WIN!! Remember to swarm Haymarket i costume too, while you weep.

Phantomlove Fri Jul 01, 2011 7:41 pm

operafantomet wrote:
Phantomlove wrote:Or maybe I should just put myself in housewiphe mood and start spending my husband's money?
WIN!! Remember to swarm Haymarket i costume too, while you weep.

No, on that night I'll swarm around The Royal Albert Hall. I will feel slightly anxious probably to be outside of my normal swarming area, but I'm sure I'll be fine clown

.

Lycanthrope Fri Jul 01, 2011 8:20 pm

Ramin and Sierra aren't bad per se, but I'm not going to hold a personal vendetta against them for being in LND, because at the end of the day, that was just a job for them both and LND is just a show. Sierra should be good; Ramin is still too young and too handsome to pass at the Phantom - he'd be better off as Raoul. But oh well. I only hope that a) Ramin tries to put on a decent English accent and b) Sierra sings the title song cadenza live. Wonder when they'll announce the casting for Raoul, Carlotta and Meg, the former two being quite big omissions considering they've announced the managers and Piangi already.

Otherwise this is exciting, if unsurprising news. Anyone notice that the trailer is nearly identical to the one shown at the Olivier Awards?

Miss von Krolock Sat Jul 02, 2011 12:47 am

Well at least most of the leads will be played by people who have actually been in the show before *coughalfieboecough*. And I also hope JOJ makes an appearance. He is London's longest running Phantom after all and he'll hopefully get more attention than he did in the Les Mis Concert. I'm also really curious to see how they transform the RAH for the concert.

I also hope they cast someone decent as Raoul and keep people of the Nick Jonas sort away...

And how about Rebecca Caine for Carlotta?

operafantomet Sat Jul 02, 2011 6:50 am

Miss von Krolock wrote:Well at least most of the leads will be played by people who have actually been in the show before *coughalfieboecough*. (...)

I also hope they cast someone decent as Raoul and keep people of the Nick Jonas sort away...

Yeah, they've picked people who's actually starred in Phantom before. But they've also picked people who's more known for their "Love Never Dies" roles - Ramin Karimloo as the Phantom, Sierra Boggess as Christine and Liz Robertson as Madame Giry. It's almost as if we're to expect Summer Strallen as Meg and Joseph Millson as Raoul... In my opinion it's to boost LND. People will see the concert (which I'm pretty sure will be filmed and released on DVD), check the background of the leads, see LND mentioned many times, and be curious. One corresponding lead could be by accident, but three is just in your face obvious.

But agreed, no Nick Jonas style, please. In that aspect I'm glad they've chosen people who know the material and has actually performed it on stage before. Will also be cool to hear Boggess do the full PONR number instead of the m̶u̶t̶i̶l̶a̶t̶e̶d̶ shortened Vegas one.

ETA: sorry for being such a party pooper. I just don't.... feel it. I really wish I did. Neutral

EarlFan Mon Jul 04, 2011 12:32 pm

So the tickets for the concert are released today and I went to the RAH website just because I was curious to know about the prices. I'm currently no. 342 in line so I guess they are selling some tickets Razz

EDIT: And now they seem to be sold out because you can't buy tickets for any of the three concerts

Scorp Mon Jul 04, 2011 12:55 pm

EarlFan wrote:So the tickets for the concert are released today and I went to the RAH website just because I was curious to know about the prices. I'm currently no. 342 in line so I guess they are selling some tickets

EDIT: And now they seem to be sold out because you can't buy tickets for any of the three concerts

I might be able to get you a ticket depending, but won't know until nearer the time.

I loved the comment on the official Facebook page for Phantom which said something like: "For £250 do we get a souvenir chandelier?" Laughing

EarlFan Mon Jul 04, 2011 8:45 pm

Scorp wrote:

I might be able to get you a ticket depending, but won't know until nearer the time.

Cool

Scorp wrote:
I loved the comment on the official Facebook page for Phantom which said something like: "For £250 do we get a souvenir chandelier?"

Haha, I just read that. Priceless Laughing

operafantomet Mon Jul 04, 2011 9:37 pm

OK, so the singers who are participating are: Ramin Karimloo, Sierra Boggess, Liz Robertson, Gareth Snook, Barry James and Wynne Evans (from what I've gathered).

Still no news on Raoul and Meg Giry?

justin-from-barbados Tue Jul 05, 2011 2:54 pm

or Carlotta

**MasqPhan** Wed Jul 06, 2011 2:13 am

EarlFan wrote:So the tickets for the concert are released today and I went to the RAH website just because I was curious to know about the prices. I'm currently no. 342 in line so I guess they are selling some tickets

EDIT: And now they seem to be sold out because you can't buy tickets for any of the three concerts

The Phantom FB page confirmed that all public tickets have been sold out. Wow. That was fast. They said unused Producer Seats may yet become available for sale.

operafantomet Wed Jul 06, 2011 9:10 am

MasqPhan wrote:The Phantom FB page confirmed that all public tickets have been sold out. Wow. That was fast. They said unused Producer Seats may yet become available for sale.

It's fantastic this good ol' musical still sparks such an interest. I love you

starryeyed Mon Jul 18, 2011 8:17 pm

I'm absolutely gutted that two of my favourite Phantom cast members ever both got letters to take part in the concert last week and neither can do it because of the shows they'll be in at that time Sad

Also, heard last week, that for some parts of the concert apparently the people in the cheap seats may have a better view than those in the stalls seats. Couldn't quite believe it but apparently true if everything stays as planned!

IamErik771 Mon Jul 18, 2011 11:22 pm

starryeyed wrote:I'm absolutely gutted that two of my favourite Phantom cast members ever both got letters to take part in the concert last week and neither can do it because of the shows they'll be in at that time

Aw, that's a bummer. Who were they, if I may ask?

SenorSwanky Tue Jul 19, 2011 1:11 am

The cheap-seat view will probably include what happens above the stage. They might be doing something like in Vegas, with more enactment of the hangings and stuff.

Blind Phan Wed Jul 20, 2011 2:59 am

I hope there'll at least be guest-appearances from MC and SB, given that they were the originals! Erik knows they deserve it!

That being said, though, having heard Ramin and Sierra on the LND soundtrack (please don't Punjab me), I'm actually really excited to hear them in at least a version of the original! Well, the original music and lyrics at any rate? I believe they both have done the original before? But not in the same cast as far as I know. So I can't wait to hear them together! Not that I'm going or anything - Gods I only wish! But I'm hoping and praying it'll be televised on some channel we carry in Canada, and better yet, released on DVD! Any word on that yet?

SenorSwanky Wed Jul 20, 2011 3:18 am

Phantom Shadowwalker wrote:I believe they both have done the original before? But not in the same cast as far as I know.

Yeah, Ramin in London and Sierra in Las Vegas. Sierra was a decent Christine in the original (well, Vegas version), and Ramin had his moments, but isn't my cup of tea.

starryeyed Wed Jul 20, 2011 11:16 am

IamErik771 wrote:
starryeyed wrote:I'm absolutely gutted that two of my favourite Phantom cast members ever both got letters to take part in the concert last week and neither can do it because of the shows they'll be in at that time

Aw, that's a bummer. Who were they, if I may ask?

Will Barratt and, strangely the other slips my mind, I can't like them that much :S That's going to bug me now.

Also apparently Raoul hasn't even been cast, though I've heard conflicting stories "it's someone who hasn't done it before" and "they haven't got one."

ETA: This wasn't the other cast member but I'd say Michael Ball probably won't be involved apart from maybe the Sunday for the same reason Will can't be there. However, I guess someone like Michael Ball can probably get time off other commitments more easily than Will.

operafantomet Wed Jul 20, 2011 2:14 pm

SenorSwanky wrote:
Phantom Shadowwalker wrote:I believe they both have done the original before? But not in the same cast as far as I know.
Yeah, Ramin in London and Sierra in Las Vegas. Sierra was a decent Christine in the original (well, Vegas version), and Ramin had his moments, but isn't my cup of tea.

Ditto...

Kinda happy there aren't any LND Raouls who's also been in the original, or else I'm positive they would have been cast as Raoul in the concert. Will be interesting to see who they eventual choose. I would have loved to see Ramin Karimloo do it, much more than him as the Phantom.

Also curious of who Carlotta will be. Please, someone with charm and a gorgeous voice!

LadyCDaae Thu Jul 21, 2011 1:51 am

SenorSwanky wrote:
Phantom Shadowwalker wrote:I believe they both have done the original before? But not in the same cast as far as I know.
Yeah, Ramin in London and Sierra in Las Vegas. Sierra was a decent Christine in the original (well, Vegas version), and Ramin had his moments, but isn't my cup of tea.

Exactly. I don't find Ramin terrible so much as badly miscast as the Phantom. His voice has too much "belt" in it--it lacks the maturity and seductive smoothness I prefer for the character. There's a lot of roles I wouldn't mind hearing him do (Raoul, Enjolras, Joe Gillis, Anthony Hope perhaps), but not this one.

~LCD

**MasqPhan** Thu Jul 21, 2011 3:12 am

LadyCDaae wrote:
SenorSwanky wrote:
Phantom Shadowwalker wrote:I believe they both have done the original before? But not in the same cast as far as I know.
Yeah, Ramin in London and Sierra in Las Vegas. Sierra was a decent Christine in the original (well, Vegas version), and Ramin had his moments, but isn't my cup of tea.

Exactly. I don't find Ramin terrible so much as badly miscast as the Phantom. His voice has too much "belt" in it--it lacks the maturity and seductive smoothness I prefer for the character. There's a lot of roles I wouldn't mind hearing him do (Raoul, Enjolras, Joe Gillis, Anthony Hope perhaps), but not this one.

~LCD

That's how I feel about Ramin. He seems like a really nice guy and I honestly really love his voice but just not as the Phantom. I would have loved to have seen him as Raoul in the concert.
Kind of wish Sierra wasn't Christine is this either. Nothing against her. I saw her in Vegas and enjoyed her. It's just that I feel it should have gone to a Christine who actually played the role in London in the original version.

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