The Broadway production + US tour

If true, that'd be an historic changing of the guard. Cryer hasn't been at the Majestic nearly as long as Andrews, but he's done that role I think continuously for 18 years.

I had only heard about George and was very sorry to hear that news indeed. I had hoped that he would be able to stay until the 25th anniversary. Maybe more information will come out soon.
George Lee Andrews has been the staple in my Phantom experience. He's been on every time that I've seen the show in New York (even back when he played Passarino!)

IF this is true: surely it's not that they're let go, but that they choose not to renew their contracts? I thought that was the deal in the Broadway production, apart from a few cases, whereas they in West End have contracts for half a year or a year and it's up to the producers to renew them.

Eh, there have been cases of people being let go. Rare, but it's happened. And it's not that the producers have no say; they still have to offer them new contracts every 9 months or whenever their current contract is up. It's just that, for whatever reason, they prefer stability and proven performance to trying new folks.

Swanky is right. The leads get re-considered quite regularly for contract renewals, and the producer has the option of not renewing and instead going elsewhere. The ensemble contracts tend to be longer-term, though, or open-ended in some cases. I remember an interview with George in which someone asked him how he managed to keep the performance fresh. In addition to his comments about needing to keep it fresh for the sake of the work (and for himself!), he mentioned that the performances are regularly watched by the producers, and if he shows signs of "looking tired" (his words, I believe), his contract could not be renewed.

SenorSwanky wrote:And it's not that the producers have no say; they still have to offer them new contracts every 9 months or whenever their current contract is up. It's just that, for whatever reason, they prefer stability and proven performance to trying new folks.

Yeah, that doesn't surprise me, but so many at once (again, if it's true) just came as a surprise. Especially since they recently got a new Raoul, Meg and Carlotta as well.

We are talking about a producer who unceremoniously dumped (as far as I am concerned) a large number of orchestra pit musicians in Les Mis who had been there since day one, so nothing surprises me. I can almost hear Cameron Mackintosh talking about the need to "freshen things up." I don't think that the part of Andre was something that needed freshening up.

Yeah, it is unusual, but maybe George and David both felt it was time to step aside. They're both at least in their late 60s if not early 70s now.

Auctioneer: You think CamMac had something to do with it? He seems pretty hands-off with the American Phantom. It's more Hal's baby.

George's contract was not renewed.
Swanky - Not sure about circumstances. I just know that it was a case of non-renewal. I have no information on who made the call, unfortunately, but I would speculate that the whole "freshening up" for the 25th anniversary might have something to do with it. Just my opinion, though.

Wow. Odd they then went with family to replace him though. He must have known it was coming then, and been OK with it, so doesn't seem like there's bad blood.

It would make no sense to drop the only remaining cast member who's been there the whole time just 16 months before the 25th anniversary. He ought to be celebrated. If he'd been given an unusual length of a 16- or 17-month contract, that would've been perfect.

I agree with you, Swanky.
That said, it's still possible that George may play a part in the anniversary, but who knows?
I do know that son-in-law earned the part and auditioned for it.

auctioneer wrote:George's contract was not renewed.
Swanky - Not sure about circumstances. I just know that it was a case of non-renewal. I have no information on who made the call, unfortunately, but I would speculate that the whole "freshening up" for the 25th anniversary might have something to do with it. Just my opinion, though.

Agreed, I suspect that too. This means we'll have a (more or less) new Raoul, Carlotta, Meg, Andre, Firmin AND Piangi for the 25th year/anniversary of the Broadway production. If it was not George Lee Andrew's choice to leave, it makes me sad beyond words. An eventual non-renewal should have happened after the anniversary, not before. God knows he's earned the honour!

Taking the LIRR into the city in less than an hour to see the show and, thanks to Paula, get backstage. I'll have at least a preliminary review tonight and then pics and stuff when I get home next week.

Video of Hugh Panaro, Marni Raab & Kyle Barisich performing this morning at Broadway in Bryant Park:

http://broadwayworld.com/videoplay.php?colid=259456

SenorSwanky wrote:Taking the LIRR into the city in less than an hour to see the show and, thanks to Paula, get backstage. I'll have at least a preliminary review tonight and then pics and stuff when I get home next week.

How was it??

And wow, that Panaro pic is precious.

A slightly random question: at what days are the matinées for Phantom on Broadway? And when do they start?

operafantomet wrote:
A slightly random question: at what days are the matinées for Phantom on Broadway? And when do they start?

Wednesday and Saturday at two o'clock.

A second video from today's concert...this one is just MOTN:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fah2-PELGH0&feature=player_embedded

Paula74 wrote:

operafantomet wrote:
A slightly random question: at what days are the matinées for Phantom on Broadway? And when do they start?

Wednesday and Saturday at two o'clock.

Oh darn and merde. From the look of it, I'll have just a small opening on Tuesday. I'll be "stuck" at Newark airport between one and seven on a Tuesday, and I'm dying to experience Phantom on Broadway. I need to check if the return can be rebooked somehow... IWAAAAANTTOSOBAAAADLY!

/spoiled brat

But thank you for the help so far.


(ETA: Just to clarify, I'm attending a wedding in Minnesota in mid August, and I was not involved in booking the ticket. So... I just have to sneak in whatever Phantom I can to this trip... But could it be further away from Las Vegas?? Yeah ya minnesotans, I love do love you, though....)

I meant to post something Wed. night but was tired, and then didn't have Internet for the last few days. Just got back home from my trip. I didn't end up taking any pics because I missed my train into the city and was hurrying to get to the theater, and then my backstage visit with Hugh was brief, and he was about to get in the shower and then take a nap.

I am inches from rebooking my flight home, so I can stay a day extra and see Phantom on Broadway. It feels so lame to BE in New york for several hours and yet not see Phantom. And I've wanted to see it in the US for like... forever!

So: granted everything goes as planned, my original flight home is on Tuesday 16th of August, but I'll rebook it to Wednesday 17th of August. Which means I'll see Phantom on Tuesday. Anyone able to join me? Any tips in terms of how to get an affordable ticket? Other ideas/opinions?

operafantomet wrote:I am inches from rebooking my flight home, so I can stay a day extra and see Phantom on Broadway. It feels so lame to BE in New york for several hours and yet not see Phantom. And I've wanted to see it in the US for like... forever!

So: granted everything goes as planned, my original flight home is on Tuesday 16th of August, but I'll rebook it to Wednesday 17th of August. Which means I'll see Phantom on Tuesday. Anyone able to join me? Any tips in terms of how to get an affordable ticket? Other ideas/opinions?

Broadwaybox.com has a pretty good discount code. It cuts off about $40.

phantom10906 wrote:
Broadwaybox.com has a pretty good discount code. It cuts off about $40.

That looks very good, taking a quick glance at their website. Just have a few more questions before I book:

1. Hopefully I'll be able to see the Broadway production on Tuesday evening and at the Wednesday matinée. But when do the evening performance start? Eight?

2. Recommendations on seating, your "secret" favourites?

3. Remind me of the stagedoor situation, again. Around the whole block? Next to what? NYC alone is scary...

operafantomet wrote:

phantom10906 wrote:
Broadwaybox.com has a pretty good discount code. It cuts off about $40.

That looks very good, taking a quick glance at their website. Just have a few more questions before I book:

1. Hopefully I'll be able to see the Broadway production on Tuesday evening and at the Wednesday matinée. But when do the evening performance start? Eight?

2. Recommendations on seating, your "secret" favourites?

3. Remind me of the stagedoor situation, again. Around the whole block? Next to what? NYC alone is scary...

Stage door is around the block on West 44th Street next to the Golden Theatre. Look for the big gray steel door to an alley. And not a scary part of NYC, even alone (this is coming from someone who was terrified on NYC at first). PM or send me a FB message if you need more specifics.

I personally love orchestra seating...about four or five rows back. You won't kill your neck looking up at certain scenes and you won't be close enough to be hit by flying spit from certain performers. I usually suggest front mezzanine, but that's for people who've never seen the show before.

I think the evening show is at eight, but it's been so long since I've seen anything except matinees that I've half-forgotten.

Yeah, 8:00 evenings and 2:00 matinees. Definitely try for orchestra seats. Even the left and right have great views. If you can get center, around row G or H, I think that's about right where the chandelier breaks toward the stage after it descends.

Paula,

The stage door is off of West 45th Street.

phantomfett wrote:Paula,

The stage door is off of West 45th Street.

Ha...definitely a typo...not easy typing in a dentist office full of bratty kids.

operafantomet wrote:

phantom10906 wrote:
Broadwaybox.com has a pretty good discount code. It cuts off about $40.

That looks very good, taking a quick glance at their website. Just have a few more questions before I book:

1. Hopefully I'll be able to see the Broadway production on Tuesday evening and at the Wednesday matinée. But when do the evening performance start? Eight?

2. Recommendations on seating, your "secret" favourites?

3. Remind me of the stagedoor situation, again. Around the whole block? Next to what? NYC alone is scary...

Quck note: Tuesday evenings are at 7pm. All other evening shows of the week are at 8.

operafantomet wrote:
3. Remind me of the stagedoor situation, again. Around the whole block? Next to what? NYC alone is scary...

Stage door? You're one of the major players in the Phandom - you deserve a backstage tour!

Okay people, who do we know at the Majestic? C'mon, let's make this happen!

TAFKaR

Raphael wrote:

operafantomet wrote:
3. Remind me of the stagedoor situation, again. Around the whole block? Next to what? NYC alone is scary...

Stage door? You're one of the major players in the Phandom - you deserve a backstage tour!

Okay people, who do we know at the Majestic? C'mon, let's make this happen!

TAFKaR

This definitely needs a "Like" button.

We do need a Like button. I've always got the impulse to push it on here, but there isn't one.