Re: The Broadway production + US tour

operafantomet Fri Aug 20, 2010 8:50 am

Last chance to see John Cudia and Kimilee Bryant in the leads is probably August 26. More here:
https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=121067097941904&index=1

phantom10906 Fri Aug 20, 2010 9:17 am

Tour extended till October 31st. Tickets go on sale on 8/28. Per Broadway LA website.

auctioneer Sun Aug 22, 2010 3:54 pm

I haven't seen Phantom in NYC since 2000, and I haven't seen Panaro at all. I was just surprised that the role was not offered to Tim Martin Gleason, as he's put in the time and will be out of work in October, apparently.

Paula74 Sun Aug 22, 2010 4:11 pm

operafantomet wrote:
Crawford would NOT count as androgynous, in my book!

Ha, this brings back memories.

Back in the late 80s when I first became a phan, I had VHS tapes of various Phantom appearances by Crawford...shows like the Tony Awards, the old MOTN promo video, his . My great-aunt also like Phantom and Crawford a great deal. In fact, the only time in her entire life that she ever even considered something "illegal" was when she tried to find us scalper tickets to see Phantom with the original Broadway cast.

But every time I'd put on one of those tapes (which was often enough to wear them out), she would comment that Crawford impressed her as being very effeminate. She meant both as the Phantom and as himself. I remember her making the comment after we saw him in concert, too. Not that I really agreed with her, but I never did win the argument, either. Not that it mattered...she liked Phantom as much as I did and totally enabled my obsession. Rolling Eyes

auctioneer wrote:I was just surprised that the role was not offered to Tim Martin Gleason, as he's put in the time and will be out of work in October, apparently.

Truth is, as much as I personally wanted Hugh back in Phantom (back in 2006, though, I was quite happy seeing him do other things), I absolutely didn't actually expect it to happen this time. When I heard John was leaving, if you'd asked me, I'd have said Tim was the likely choice. If I was a gambler, I'd have placed my bet on him. Until the completely unexpected e-mail from Hugh, I didn't see it coming at all.

SenorSwanky Sun Aug 22, 2010 6:06 pm

Well, the tour doesn't close until Halloween, so the timing wasn't quite right unless they were going to close out the tour with another Phantom. And I'm sure Hugh probably won't stay as long as he did last time. Then again, I don't think anyone expected Howard to stay another 4 years when he returned. Just think--if Hugh stays for at least a year this time, the role will have been performed by either Hugh or Howard for more than 11 of the last 12 and a half years. Other than the year and a couple months Cudia has performed the role in NY, I was in eighth grade the last time someone else was Phantom, and I'm now three years out of college. Some young whipper-snapper phans have never known another Phantom, sort of like some Yankee fans have never known a shortstop other than Derek Jeter, a catcher other than Jorge Posada, or a closer other than Mariano Rivera.

**Raphael** Mon Aug 23, 2010 4:36 am

Anyone happen to have the latest souvenir brochure cast photos? I just came up with an idea for a farewell gift for the touring production, but I need resource images of the current cast. IM me if you can help me out, thanks Very Happy

R.

phantom10906 Thu Aug 26, 2010 7:19 pm

Looks like we have a closing date for the tour. Clicke me

SenorSwanky Thu Aug 26, 2010 7:23 pm

phantom10906 wrote:Looks like we have a closing date for the tour. Clicke me

Didn't you just tell us that above? It'll be 11 years to the day from when the Toronto production closed. Amazing it's been that long.

phantom10906 Thu Aug 26, 2010 7:27 pm

SenorSwanky wrote:
phantom10906 wrote:Looks like we have a closing date for the tour. Clicke me
Didn't you just tell us that above? It'll be 11 years to the day from when the Toronto production closed. Amazing it's been that long.

That was when it was possible they would extend into November. Now it looks pretty official.

operafantomet Mon Sep 06, 2010 2:18 pm

The new Broadway cast has also been announced. RUG is really working hard today! Laughing

http://www.thephantomoftheopera.com/new_york/meet_the_people/

Marni Raab stays on as Christine alternate, ditto for Susan Owen as the understudy. Biggest news in this list is of course Hugh Panaro, which I highly welcome. Yes, I had hoped for someone new, but I liked what he did with the role last time, and I'm looking forward to see how he'll portray the Phantom now.

**Raphael** Mon Sep 06, 2010 3:02 pm

operafantomet wrote:The new Broadway cast has also been announced. RUG is really working hard today!

http://www.thephantomoftheopera.com/new_york/meet_the_people/

Marni Raab stays on as Christine alternate, ditto for Susan Owen as the understudy. Biggest news in this list is of course Hugh Panaro, which I highly welcome. Yes, I had hoped for someone new, but I liked what he did with the role last time, and I'm looking forward to see how he'll portray the Phantom now.

Marni Raab's staying on? Wow, she's the Tim Gleason of Christines!

R.

Viscountess Mon Sep 06, 2010 3:33 pm

Raphael wrote:
operafantomet wrote:The new Broadway cast has also been announced. RUG is really working hard today!

http://www.thephantomoftheopera.com/new_york/meet_the_people/

Marni Raab stays on as Christine alternate, ditto for Susan Owen as the understudy. Biggest news in this list is of course Hugh Panaro, which I highly welcome. Yes, I had hoped for someone new, but I liked what he did with the role last time, and I'm looking forward to see how he'll portray the Phantom now.
Marni Raab's staying on? Wow, she's the Tim Gleason of Christines!

R.

Or maybe Tim Martin Gleason is the Marni Raab of Raouls... Laughing

Paula74 Tue Sep 07, 2010 2:44 pm

Just talked to the PR people with the Broadway production and they told me we'll have new photos in about two weeks.

cheers

And a very good interview here:

http://www.broadway.com/shows/the-phantom-of-the-opera/buzz/153457/masked-man-hugh-panaro-on-his-20-year-history-in-the-phantom-of-the-opera/

justin-from-barbados Tue Sep 07, 2010 4:04 pm

2 quick questions for the US tour experts.

Im getting forgetfull

the tour with Kevin Gray as Phantom was the 2nd or 3rd National?

Also I saw the tour in 2000 in florida with Ted Keegan, I cant remember if back then there wes still 2 tours going around. Was there? and if so wha that one the 2nd or 3rd?

operafantomet Tue Sep 07, 2010 4:09 pm

Paula74 wrote: http://www.broadway.com/shows/the-phantom-of-the-opera/buzz/153457/masked-man-hugh-panaro-on-his-20-year-history-in-the-phantom-of-the-opera/

Michael Crawford was not a spring chicken when he did this. I recently re-watched him at the Lincoln Center library [video archive]. I love to go back to the creator of a role—not that you want to copy someone, but to see what the original show looked like so you can maintain the integrity of Hal Prince’s vision. People think that Michael Crawford did a lot of dramatic hand movements and spooky gestures, and I was really surprised when I watched him. He was very minimalist in his approach, and it was a great lesson.

OK, you sold me your performance there, Panaro! I especially liked the comment about "maintaining the integrity of Hal Prince's vision". Often the portrayal of a new lead is based on what the previous lead did. When that has happened for a couple of years, the portrayal can remove itself from the original intention and become something very different.

For example, I liked the "suicide" thing Katie Knight Adams did in the rooftop scene. But I don't want everyone else to copy her and to it more and more dramatic. Suddenly Christine is the ultimate drama queen (~~almost like in Leroux~~....). I'd like the actor/actress to have their own take and come up with new such things instead. In that aspect it can be very healthy to go back to the original cast, and take it from there.

LadyCDaae Tue Sep 07, 2010 4:22 pm

Paula74 wrote:Just talked to the PR people with the Broadway production and they told me we'll have new photos in about two weeks.

And a very good interview here:

http://www.broadway.com/shows/the-phantom-of-the-opera/buzz/153457/masked-man-hugh-panaro-on-his-20-year-history-in-the-phantom-of-the-opera/

I am now totally in love with Hugh Panaro. Thanks for posting!

~LCD

IamErik771 Tue Sep 07, 2010 5:34 pm

That was an awesome interview! Loved his comment about staying true to Hal Prince's vision as well; it'll be interesting to see how that affects his portrayal.

You’re not playing the organ onstage, are you?
No, it’s only a prop, but I do try to play the actual music so it looks right.

This makes him even more awesome in my book. And it's pretty cool that he was an organist once upon a time.

MajesticPhantom Tue Sep 07, 2010 10:50 pm

justin-from-barbados wrote:2 quick questions for the US tour experts.

Im getting forgetfull

the tour with Kevin Gray as Phantom was the 2nd or 3rd National?

Also I saw the tour in 2000 in florida with Ted Keegan, I cant remember if back then there wes still 2 tours going around. Was there? and if so wha that one the 2nd or 3rd?

Kevin Gray originated the title role in the 2nd National Tour (The Raoul Company).

I can't wait to see Panaro. So intelligent, and I am so happy to be seeing him within the next few months.

Guest Tue Sep 07, 2010 11:20 pm

justin-from-barbados wrote:2 quick questions for the US tour experts.

I'm getting forgetful

the tour with Kevin Gray as Phantom was the 2nd or 3rd National?

Also I saw the tour in 2000 in Florida with Ted Keegan, I cant remember if back then there was still 2 tours going around. Was there? and if so was that one the 2nd or 3rd?

Kevin took over for Mark Jacoby on the 2nd National Tour.

Ted was in the 3rd National Tour, previously called the "Bus and Truck" tour. 2nd National Tour closed in 1998 in LA.

Cape Twirl of Doom Wed Sep 08, 2010 4:44 am

Hugh & Sara were both phenomenal tonight! What amazing performances from the both of them. As much as I loved Hugh as the Phantom back in 2005, he's even better now. Sara I had never heard before and I really like her. Her "WYWSHA" brought several cries of "Bravo!" from the crowd, and the people sitting around me were quite loudly sobbing by the end of the Final Lair. (I always love it when people are moved by the show.) Sitting as close as I did tonight (front row center!) I was able to marvel at just how gorgeous the costumes are. (The last time I sat that close was back in 2005.)

A couple pics from the welcome back party:

The Broadway production + US tour - Page 16 46733_422019573518_564683518_4929235_5321601_n

The Broadway production + US tour - Page 16 46733_422019573518_564683518_4929235_5321601_n

The Broadway production + US tour - Page 16 58526_422018543518_564683518_4929222_4056544_n

The Broadway production + US tour - Page 16 47956_422017903518_564683518_4929220_1471273_n

operafantomet Wed Sep 08, 2010 5:39 am

Oh, thank you for that report of the first night (as such...)! I am so glad you enjoyed their performance.

Since you were front row and had a good view - did they give Sara Jean Ford a new Wishing dress? The one she wore in the tour was of a different fabric, and from the early 90s. Very pretty dress, but according to people who saw it backstage also about to fall apart... So I assume she had a new dress for her Broadway debut. Did you notice? Here's pics of her tour dress:
https://s638.photobucket.com/albums/uu101/potocostumes/wishing/us17sjford.jpg
https://s638.photobucket.com/albums/uu101/potocostumes/wishing/ussarafordfabric.png

Cape Twirl of Doom Wed Sep 08, 2010 6:18 am

operafantomet wrote:Oh, thank you for that report of the first night (as such...)! I am so glad you enjoyed their performance.

Since you were front row and had a good view - did they give Sara Jean Ford a new Wishing dress? The one she wore in the tour was of a different fabric, and from the early 90s. Very pretty dress, but according to people who saw it backstage also about to fall apart... So I assume she had a new dress for her Broadway debut. Did you notice? Here's pics of her tour dress:
https://s638.photobucket.com/albums/uu101/potocostumes/wishing/us17sjford.jpg
https://s638.photobucket.com/albums/uu101/potocostumes/wishing/ussarafordfabric.png

I want to say yes, but I don't know for sure. Kris Koop was telling me she got a new costume for the Hannibal scene, so it's possible other costumes may have been updated as well. I could see that the fabric was very highly detailed and it looked amazing up close, but I'm not really familiar enough with the costumes (except for the Phantoms) to actually notice if something is different.

Viscountess Wed Sep 08, 2010 11:31 am

operafantomet wrote:Oh, thank you for that report of the first night (as such...)! I am so glad you enjoyed their performance.

Since you were front row and had a good view - did they give Sara Jean Ford a new Wishing dress? The one she wore in the tour was of a different fabric, and from the early 90s. Very pretty dress, but according to people who saw it backstage also about to fall apart... So I assume she had a new dress for her Broadway debut. Did you notice? Here's pics of her tour dress:
https://s638.photobucket.com/albums/uu101/potocostumes/wishing/us17sjford.jpg
https://s638.photobucket.com/albums/uu101/potocostumes/wishing/ussarafordfabric.png

Yep, Sara got a new Wishing gown with the stripy blue fabric.

Paula74 Wed Sep 08, 2010 1:45 pm

I was so close to getting a last-minute bus to the City yesterday, but an appointment ran long...I really wish I'd been there for Hugh's first night. Looks like I'll make it down within the next month or so.

A couple of Theatermania pics...I know more are coming from BroadwayWorld, too.

http://www.theatermania.com/broadway/news/09-2010/photo-flash-hugh-panaro-and-sara-jean-ford-return_30224.html

Cape Twirl of Doom Wed Sep 08, 2010 2:47 pm

Also some pics from Playbill.

http://www.playbill.com/multimedia/gallery//1642/?pnum=12

The Broadway production + US tour - Page 16 PhantomOpen460f

The Broadway production + US tour - Page 16 PhantomOpen225c

You know, I don't remember seeing that many (any?) professional curtain call pics of Hugh in Phantom, as he left in 2005 right before the show began hitting all those milestones.

operafantomet Wed Sep 08, 2010 2:52 pm

http://www.playbill.com/multimedia/gallery//1642/?pnum=20

Behind you, mr. Phantom!! pirat

Paula74 Wed Sep 08, 2010 3:22 pm

Cape Twirl of Doom wrote:

You know, I don't remember seeing that many (any?) professional curtain call pics of Hugh in Phantom, as he left in 2005 right before the show began hitting all those milestones.

No, there weren't many...a few from the show's 16th or 17th "birthday" (and those were small)...and Jan's nice final curtain call pictures from 2005. But nothing from the main theatre sites at the time.

MajesticPhantom Wed Sep 08, 2010 6:08 pm

The photos from BroadwayWorld are up. I must say, the execution of the Phantom makeup on the "good" side has really become EXCEPTIONALLY good in the last four years for the Broadway production. Hugh looks amazing in his latest incarnation. BroadwayWorld has the best photos...

http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo_Coverage_Panaro_Ford_Open_in_PHANTOM_OF_THE_OPERA_20100908

justin-from-barbados Wed Sep 08, 2010 8:08 pm

Great Pics, I guess they decided to use his old style mask, I guess it suits his longer face. Not a fan of placing the mics umon the forehead like that though, I prefered them by the ear.

Mme Reyer Fri Sep 10, 2010 2:20 am

Hugh Panaro's opening night back at Phantom on Tuesday was wonderful. I thought it was an amazingly strong cast with Ryan Silverman as Raoul and Sara Jean Ford as Christine, a first for me hearing both of them.

I recommend anyone going to NYC to stop and take in their performance! So glad that Hugh is back inside the mask!!

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