Where you can see professional video tapes of the original stage production from Phantom Notes June July 1990

In the Theater on film and tape collection at the Lincoln Center location of the New York Public Library in their theatre research center,
You cannnot buy or check out the tapes you have to watch them on-site,

To see this tape you must make reservations 3 to 4 weeks in advance, although you can slip in if there is a no-show, the library is open 12noon-5:45 M, T, W, F, 1-5 Sat

there is one catch and this one is a biggie, when you make your reservation you MUST give a reason for wanting to see, such as a report for school, a doctoral theasus, a book that you are doing research for, research for reporters, you cannot say that you want to see it only because you want to see it.

they also have Les Miserables, Cats, etc. the original Bway casts, to find out more information (Again this was in 1990)

New York public Library for TOFT
Theater on Film and Tape
c/o Susan Bennett (Again this is in 1990)
New York Public Library
111 Amsterdam Ave
NY, NY 10023 (P.S. send a Self address stamped envelope for information)
for more info or reservations (Again this is in 1990) 1-212-870-1642 ( I might call myself on Monday to see more)

about 10 years ago my friend saw this on tape and she said it was crystal clear and good and sharp

p.S there was 20 years ago a catalogue of what the library had and that was $20 at the time again, that was 20 years ago, who knows if it is still available, I will call the library on Monday to see and report back

Huh. I was literally there with my school AND with another representative of the New York Public Library, yet the woman was insistent that you weren't allowed to see the tape unless you were an actor sent there from RUG.

Like I said that was listed 20 years ago, and as far as 10 years ago there were viewings, but, it may have changed, I will call the library Monday to see what is what, things do change, "Si, these things do happen"

Maybe it was that particular librarian that said that, anyhow, it will sally forth to see what is what

I just checked out the NY Public Library website, the phone # for the theatre on Film and Tape is 212-870-1642 and I will definately call on Monday, and my freind who did see it approx 10 years ago did call to schedule, she did have to give a reason, (she said that it was for a paper on musical theater on the economy,) at the time she was in college studying law, (so no they will not check if you are actually writing a paper. (at least like I said that that was 10 years ago, and like I said she did book an appointment at least a month prior.

I copied and pasted some info from the site below:

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Each division at LPA offers telephone reference service during open hours:
The Billy Rose Theatre Division: 212-870-1639
The Jerome Robbins Dance Division: 212-870-1657
The Music Division: 212-870-1650
The Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound: 212-870-1663
Theatre on Film and Tape Archive (to confirm holdings and schedule viewing appointments): 212-870-1642

The Circulating Collections

Music: 212-870-1625
Drama, Dance, Film and Arts Administration: 212-870-1627
Recorded Sound: 212-870-1629


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I called the NYPL today and a young lady told me she did not know what I was talking about,she put me on hold and I spoke with another person, then I was put on hold and spoke to another and she did tell me that she was filling in for someone and that I should call back Tues, which I will.

I called the NYPL, again today, after being given, six or seven #'s I called and left a message, when I got home, the young man said that due to union regulations, the viewing of any stage production still running is not permited unless by the stage management, and that I would have to get permission from the stage management and the stage management would contact the library and then the library inturn would contact me.

Well, I guess that is it.

ladygodiva wrote:I called the NYPL, again today, after being given, six or seven #'s I called and left a message, when I got home, the young man said that due to union regulations, the viewing of any stage production still running is not permited unless by the stage management, and that I would have to get permission from the stage management and the stage management would contact the library and then the library inturn would contact me.

Well, I guess that is it.

Thanks for the info...I might give it a try next time I go to New York.

I think it's a lot easier to get permission to view the tape that is kept in the London equivalent at the V&A museum, but the only one they seem to let the public view is one of JOJ and the 2003 London cast; not the 1986 cast. My flatmate saw the 2003 video not so long ago; didn't seem too difficult to get permission but you did need a proper reason, of course.

I had also written to the NYPL and to the Majestic and to RUG, after I posted the second post, and finally someone from NYPL got back to me, there also is another reason why they will not let the Phantom and other current shows be seen, is that the show has to close in the NY Broaday/off Broadway theaters, the letter did not indicate if that means other shows will be of availablity to the public.

Yes I too have heard that the 2003/2004 is able to be viewed in London as well. You do need a reason to see, but like I said that they will not police you and check on what ever your reason maybe, You can say that you are writting a paper for school, research, etc. Like I said they will not police you,

I hope to have a reply from the Majestic and the RUG soon.

I have still had no reply from the people that I wrote, I even enclosed self address stamped envelopes.

Yet again, still no reply

I asked my friend who saw it many years ago how she got to see it, she told me that she when she was there, at the time there was a new worker at the library and she was having a hard time, the young lady was told off by a library patron, for messing up her appointment to see a video, she overheard the young librarian offer the next opening, but the patron was furious and walked out. my friend, mentioned that she had an appointment for that time to see the video, the young lady was flustered and told her that she was new there and hoped that her supervisor who was on break would not find out, my friend said just direct me to the tape and the viewing room, which the young lady did,

now, I do not condone my friend, who is now an attorney, for taking advantage of the situation, but that is how she came about to see it.

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