The Broadway production + US tour

Yes as I recall R. They did have the option to extend a week. Sadly they did not. I'm booking mine when they go on sale, I can always resell them and buy new ones if they do extend. Inceedently, I just tryed using the promo and it said its not in the ticketmaster system anymore.

I used the PREBLA code to buy tickets at 2:15 this afternoon.

I got tix. for the Oct. 17th final show, 11 rows back, center. I'll be grumpy if they extend!!

We saw the show on Saturday here in Austin and it was really spectacular. I'm not sure what happened in Houston last year but everyone was very much on their game Saturday. TMG is really a wonderful Phantom. We're going to catch the show in Baltimore next month...one last Phantom before Afghanistan! Hey, you don't think Kabul will ever get a touring show do you?

I couldn't find any posts on this, so I had to share this... I just went to see Phantom in N.Y. this past saturday (first time in NY, second row seats, moved me like it never has before!) and I was surprised to find out that The Phantom would be an alternate named Paul A. Schaefer...

Mr. Schaefer definitely rocked us with his portrayal! His intensity and flare were amazing, and his voice was entrancing at many parts. The only way I can think to describe it is that his voice was almost like a combination of Ramin Karimloo and Davis Gaines, if that makes any sense! Angelic at some parts, yet firm and deep without being too operatic.

The only other specific I can think of to mention is that all throughout MotN he had this pervy... smirk... and ... swagger (!) about him, which I have never seen anything like before. It wasn't what I was expecting but it definitely made the show fresh! He was also a younger, more aggressive Phantom...

Glad you enjoyed his performance! Who played Christine and Raoul and what did you think?

Phanatic1539 wrote:Mr. Schaefer definitely rocked us with his portrayal! His intensity and flare were amazing, and his voice was entrancing at many parts. The only way I can think to describe it is that his voice was almost like a combination of Ramin Karimloo and Davis Gaines, if that makes any sense! Angelic at some parts, yet firm and deep without being too operatic.

The only other specific I can think of to mention is that all throughout MotN he had this pervy... smirk... and ... swagger (!) about him, which I have never seen anything like before. It wasn't what I was expecting but it definitely made the show fresh! He was also a younger, more aggressive Phantom...

Although it sounds like a cool change, I seldom fancy young and rocky Phantoms. So not sure he would be my cup of tea. But cool to hear about a different guy behind the mask on Broadway.

I wouldn't say the Phantom was "Rocky" but he definitely had attitude. Perhaps not quite as serene as other Phantoms, but it worked.

I've been totally out of the Phandom loop for years now and did no research before hand. I was expecting Jennifer Hope Wills and then found myself thinking, "She looks a lot like Marni Raab." Then I looked at my program later and I was left thinking, "Oh, no wonder she looked like Marni Raab. Marni Raab is Broadway's Christine on Saturday nights. . !" She had her usual sad, wide eyed beauty and intensity, and her voice was just as good as ever. I had never seen her in person before. Shes so dreamy...

Ryan Silverman was Raoul, and he was definitely... Raoul (lol). We got pictures with him after the show. He was a great dashing Raoul, with a good deep voice. Nothing really makes Raoul stand out too much as far as I'm concerned, but at least he wasn't one of the weird ones... or with a froggy-voice or anything like that.

We also donated to Broadway Cares and got posters hand-signed by the entire cast. But the bottom line is that it moved me more than I thought it ever would and it really took me back to when I first got into it ten years ago.

Karimloo and Gaines...that's an odd combination. I'd certainly like the Gaines part (see avatar ).

Phanatic1539 wrote:I couldn't find any posts on this, so I had to share this... I just went to see Phantom in N.Y. this past saturday (first time in NY, second row seats, moved me like it never has before!) and I was surprised to find out that The Phantom would be an alternate named Paul A. Schaefer...

Mr. Schaefer definitely rocked us with his portrayal! His intensity and flare were amazing, and his voice was entrancing at many parts. The only way I can think to describe it is that his voice was almost like a combination of Ramin Karimloo and Davis Gaines, if that makes any sense! Angelic at some parts, yet firm and deep without being too operatic.

The only other specific I can think of to mention is that all throughout MotN he had this pervy... smirk... and ... swagger (!) about him, which I have never seen anything like before. It wasn't what I was expecting but it definitely made the show fresh! He was also a younger, more aggressive Phantom...

Aw nertz, now I REALLY want to see him in the role.

Question: has George Lee Andrews left Phantom on Broadway for good? If so, I completely missed that. I ask because this announcement about Hal Prince's new musical, which I'm seeing next month on its first performance, says George Lee Andrews is part of the cast: http://www.theatermania.com/london/news/04-2010/photo-flash-mandy-patinkin-john-mcmartin-shuler-he_26314.html

Scorp wrote:Question: has George Lee Andrews left Phantom on Broadway for good? If so, I completely missed that. I ask because this announcement about Hal Prince's new musical, which I'm seeing next month on its first performance, says George Lee Andrews is part of the cast: http://www.theatermania.com/london/news/04-2010/photo-flash-mandy-patinkin-john-mcmartin-shuler-he_26314.html

Whaaaaat?!?! But what a cast he's put together. I seriously want to see his new musical now.

I haven't seen anything about him leaving, and the casting news is new, so it doesn't mean he's left quite yet. Good for him, but what a loss to Phantom. Even if he comes back, it won't be quite the same because then he'll not be part of the same continuous run.

On Kimilee Bryant's facebook page, there is a picture posted on April 7th with the caption, "George's Last Show...for now." So it looks like he left this week.

First Jeff Keller, now George Lee Andrews?

Has George's run truly been a continuous one all this time? That would be mighty impressive. I'd expect him to be back at the Majestic soon enough, though. I wonder who will be keeping the role warm in his absence?

Scorp, let us know how Hal's new show is! I'm very curious about it

R.

It looks like this is a limited run (closes on June 26), so it's a little change of scenery for GLA. I'm sure that they will keep his spot for him (though I don't know that for a fact!) I imagine that he will return to the role of Andre following a vacation later in the summer. I believe that he has done this a few times before -- I know that he did A Little Night Music in the early nineties at one point. He's never been gone for very long, but I'm glad for him that he gets a change of scenery every now and then. I find his stamina amazing -- imagine being in the same show for 22 years and much of it in pretty much the same role (Andre or Firmin). I hope that when he does go for good that he gets a really big send off.

Although this is happening in Taiwan, it is being staged in an Arena (this was talked about on here before) you can see all the chandelier rigging and alot of black fabric used to hide 'backstage'

http://www.taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=54480&CtNode=435&date=

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/139086-Wicked-Companies-Help-Easter-Bonnet-Fly-to-327-Million

The audience was treated to an elaborate running gag from the cast of The Phantom of the Opera, in which a pistol-packing ballerina kept trying to shoot Christine Daae, but wound up hitting the Phantom and Raoul instead.

When she finally plugged Christine late in the show, the homicidal tersichorean deadpanned that apparently it wasn't true that "Love Never Dies" — the title of the Broadway-bound Phantom sequel.

Scorp wrote:http://www.playbill.com/news/article/139086-Wicked-Companies-Help-Easter-Bonnet-Fly-to-327-Million

The audience was treated to an elaborate running gag from the cast of The Phantom of the Opera, in which a pistol-packing ballerina kept trying to shoot Christine Daae, but wound up hitting the Phantom and Raoul instead.

When she finally plugged Christine late in the show, the homicidal tersichorean deadpanned that apparently it wasn't true that "Love Never Dies" — the title of the Broadway-bound Phantom sequel.

I don't think there are any words for how much I love this!! LOL!!!!

You git down with yer bad self NYC POTO! Two thumbs up!!

Scorp wrote:http://www.playbill.com/news/article/139086-Wicked-Companies-Help-Easter-Bonnet-Fly-to-327-Million

The audience was treated to an elaborate running gag from the cast of The Phantom of the Opera, in which a pistol-packing ballerina kept trying to shoot Christine Daae, but wound up hitting the Phantom and Raoul instead.

When she finally plugged Christine late in the show, the homicidal tersichorean deadpanned that apparently it wasn't true that "Love Never Dies" — the title of the Broadway-bound Phantom sequel.

Dude, I would pay big bucks to see any video footage of this. That's awesome! Way to represent, PotO Broadway!

~Madame~

Saw Kimilee Bryant posted some pictures in her FB site. Not of the actual performance, but before or after. She was Christine, while the Phantom didn't look familiar. Not sure about Hussar!Raoul and Degas!Meg, but they all looked cool. *thumbs up*

I wonder how ironic/parodic they performed it. The actual idea is just brilliant. But I guess they made it more humoristic than sarcastic, to not step on any toes. Which is sensible. But the fact that they DID it... Brilliant. B'way POTO, I'm proud of you!

operafantomet wrote:Saw Kimilee Bryant posted some pictures in her FB site. Not of the actual performance, but before or after. She was Christine, while the Phantom didn't look familiar.

I was squinting at the picture earlier, trying to figure out who that Phantom was...

Paula74 wrote:

operafantomet wrote:Saw Kimilee Bryant posted some pictures in her FB site. Not of the actual performance, but before or after. She was Christine, while the Phantom didn't look familiar.

I was squinting at the picture earlier, trying to figure out who that Phantom was...

It's now tagged as "Tewks", I'm guessing Stephen Tewksbury. Raoul was Shaul Colledge, Meg was Polly Baird, while Kris Koop wore the most fantastic POTO flyer (?) dress ever... I'm sure pictures will surface very soon.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/139114-PHOTO-CALL-Easter-Bonnet-Competition-2010

Pictures from the Easter Bonnet. Here's the only Phantom one I saw:

Awesome joke. Never heard of Colledge. He must be relatively new. Then again, we get so few reports from the B'way cast these days that he could have been there for a year.

Viscountess wrote:http://www.playbill.com/news/article/139114-PHOTO-CALL-Easter-Bonnet-Competition-2010

Pictures from the Easter Bonnet. Here's the only Phantom one I saw:

HAHAH! I love how you can see Raoul lying on the ground off to the side.

~Madame~

operafantomet wrote:

Paula74 wrote:

operafantomet wrote:Saw Kimilee Bryant posted some pictures in her FB site. Not of the actual performance, but before or after. She was Christine, while the Phantom didn't look familiar.

I was squinting at the picture earlier, trying to figure out who that Phantom was...

It's now tagged as "Tewks", I'm guessing Stephen Tewksbury. Raoul was Shaul Colledge, Meg was Polly Baird, while Kris Koop wore the most fantastic POTO flyer (?) dress ever... I'm sure pictures will surface very soon.

The top of Kris's dress was a Phantom tote bag and the skirt was made of many Phantom luggage tags tied together. All stuff that we sold during collections. It was brilliant! I had front row seats for the Monday show, and really thought that running gag was hilarious. Many people didn't get it at first, but when they came back later on during the show and had Meg shoot another character, the audience caught on. I've seen several pictures, but they were on private Facebook pages so I don't think I could post them here. The Easter Bonnet competition is always filmed & eventually released on DVD for sale though. And I'm sure there will be a video report on the event on BroadwayWorld TV soon.

SenorSwanky wrote:Awesome joke. Never heard of Colledge. He must be relatively new. Then again, we get so few reports from the B'way cast these days that he could have been there for a year.

Shaun's the assistant stage manager at Phantom, he's not in the cast. He coordinates all their BC/EFA collections and usually takes part in the skits.

Cape Twirl of Doom wrote:Shaun's the assistant stage manager at Phantom, he's not in the cast. He coordinates all their BC/EFA collections and usually takes part in the skits.

Ahh, gotcha.

Viscountess wrote:http://www.playbill.com/news/article/139114-PHOTO-CALL-Easter-Bonnet-Competition-2010

Pictures from the Easter Bonnet. Here's the only Phantom one I saw:

Oh my goodness! I really enjoy that!