The Broadway production + US tour

operafantomet wrote:Thank you, CTOD!

Anyone in need of a current Broadway brochure? Or other merchandise from The Majestic? Slip me a note here or on FB, and if I see it in time I'll buy it. Kinda looking forward to the merchandise stuff myself...

Not sure if you are still in NY, but I pm'd you on Facebook. :-)

Devon wrote:

operafantomet wrote:Thank you, CTOD!

Anyone in need of a current Broadway brochure? Or other merchandise from The Majestic? Slip me a note here or on FB, and if I see it in time I'll buy it. Kinda looking forward to the merchandise stuff myself...

Not sure if you are still in NY, but I pm'd you on Facebook. :-)

I bought one extra, you can get that one. But I must say, the print is rather bad in the new brochures. The colours are washed out, and some of the typing appears.... not blurry, but definitely not sharp. Was a bit disappointed by that. But yes, I have a spare one, if you want it. It comes with a playbill.

Just want to say thank you to everyone helping me out with this NYC trip and my many questions. You all made the trip fantastic! I hope I can repay you some time. I'm working on a review. It will, as usual, be way too long.

It sounds like a fantastic experience Operafantomet. I can't wait to hear more about it and more about the costumes of course. Did you take any pics? I'm not envious, I am not envious, I am sooooo not envious.....

operafantomet wrote:

Devon wrote:

operafantomet wrote:Thank you, CTOD!

Anyone in need of a current Broadway brochure? Or other merchandise from The Majestic? Slip me a note here or on FB, and if I see it in time I'll buy it. Kinda looking forward to the merchandise stuff myself...

Not sure if you are still in NY, but I pm'd you on Facebook. :-)

I bought one extra, you can get that one. But I must say, the print is rather bad in the new brochures. The colours are washed out, and some of the typing appears.... not blurry, but definitely not sharp. Was a bit disappointed by that. But yes, I have a spare one, if you want it. It comes with a playbill.

Just want to say thank you to everyone helping me out with this NYC trip and my many questions. You all made the trip fantastic! I hope I can repay you some time. I'm working on a review. It will, as usual, be way too long.

That's a shame that the new brochure isn't what you expected. :-( I'd still like it so I can file it away for myself though! PM me and let me know how much, etc. Thanks again, I really appreciate it! Hope to see many pictures and have fun on the rest of your vacation!

I FINALLY got to met Soot yesterday! I yelled at him for having stood me up, but who could resist those eyes?





And then one of his friends came and we took a nice, wholesome, not-at-all-embarrassing-for-the-dog-photo together:

Whelp, I'm booking a ticket to see it next Wednesday night on the Great White Way (again!)...thrilled to pieces!

Due to the safety of cast, crew and orchestra, and due to all transportation, bridges and whatnot shutting down during the hurricane Irene, Broadway goes dark on Saturday and Sunday. In effect this means that Phantom will not be performed on Broadway this Saturday, when they would normally have done a matinée and an evening performance. On Sunday they don't normally perform anyway. This shutdown goes for all Broadway and off-Broadway theatres.

I'm guessing few here are actually heading TO NYC at the moment, but it's good to know still.

operafantomet wrote:Due to the safety of cast, crew and orchestra, and due to all transportation, bridges and whatnot shutting down during the hurricane Irene, Broadway goes dark on Saturday and Sunday. In effect this means that Phantom will not be performed on Broadway this Saturday, when they would normally have done a matinée and an evening performance. On Sunday they don't normally perform anyway. This shutdown goes for all Broadway and off-Broadway theatres.

I'm guessing few here are actually heading TO NYC at the moment, but it's good to know still.

I read about that. At least they are taking the proper precautions. Peoples' safety comes first!

Not sure if it had been mentioned, but David Gaschen is currently subbing for Piangi until Sept 3.

Cape Twirl of Doom wrote:Not sure if it had been mentioned, but David Gaschen is currently subbing for Piangi until Sept 3.

Best Piangi I've ever seen. Such a talented guy. He and Romick should both be permanent swings and get more time in the various roles. They're so versatile. Great Phantoms.

I saw Gaschen the other day... I really enjoyed his performance.

Phantom plays as normal at The Majestic tonight, at 8 PM. If anyone wondered.

From our beloved Broadway Phantom, Hugh Panaro:

When Phantom first came out, I was doing Les Misérables. I hadn't seen it and got the audition for Raoul. When I was playing Raoul, I had no desire to play The Phantom; Michael Crawford and Mark Jacoby were men, and I was only 25 years old. Eight years later, I got my first taste at being The Phantom, but only for six months. I feel that I am the right age now -- at 47 -- to be The Phantom. I am a more seasoned human being.

Full article here: http://www.theatermania.com/broadway/news/08-2011/theyre-in-it-for-the-long-run_39943.html

Ah-hem...

YOU TELL 'EM, HUGH!

Though, dang, Hugh is 47?? No way! He looks better than most guys like half his age!

You hear that, RUG and ALW and Co? Your Broadway leading Phantom has got the right idea going in his interpretation of the Phantom. Why don't you get on board with that, too?

~Madame~

Article about upcoming cast change at the Majestic:click here

Anyone have any idea who will be playing the Phantom during Hugh Panaro's quickly upcoming vacation? I would think with two weeks together they would go with a single vacation cover versus an understudy bonanza. Kinda hoping it will be David Gaschen.

And nevermind...we've got Jim Romick 9/12 through 9/17. Guess that just leaves the week before to find out.

Nice article and little interview from the New York Times on George Lee Andrews leaving the show: click

It is as we suspected. Cameron wanted to freshen things up. What a rotten thing to do, in my opinion. Thank you, George, for so many years of loyal service. I only wish that you could have made it to the 10,000th.

Link to CBS official video of interview (starts after 30 second ad): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD1BJ-dO8I4

David Cryer and George Lee Andrews.

An era is over. Thank you for many fantastic years. And best of wishes for the future!

ETA: Apparently Hal Prince was at The Majestic yesterday, for the farewell party they threw for Andrews and Cryer.

Here's a link to George's interview on CNN from this morning. As usual, George is a class act. He really ought to be invited to the 25th anniversary celebrations. He has earned it, that's for sure.

http://am.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/05/phantom-of-the-opera-actor-george-lee-andrews-discusses-his-9382-performances-with-the-show/

I got to see Phantom on Broadway on Saturday 20th August. Bought my ticket on the day from the box office. Expensive but got a pretty good seat, in the middle of row G, but still seemed quite far away as in London I've been in the 1st and 3rd row.

I was a bit bewildered at first as it was a bit different, mostly the Hannibal scene. I've seen the London production 3 times in a year so am quite familiar with it and it didn't occur to me a production across the ocean with a different cast would be different, silly me. Mostly I prefer the London production but it was still brilliant and I'm glad I saw it.

David Cryer and George Lee Andrews were a good double act, it's a shame they've gone. Wasn't at all keen on Meg's voice. Same with Raoul's voice, so I was a bit disappointed as I likes Raouls. He did grow on me in the 2nd half though. Acting was fine, just...I can't help not liking the sound of certain voices unfortunately. I wanted Mdme Giry to have a french accent but she was very good. Piangi and Carlotta were both very good, particularly liked Carlotta, and she actually croaked which the London one doesn't.

I believe the Christine I saw (it was the matinee) was Elizabeth Welch. I really liked her. Lovely voice and quite a sweet Christine, more subtle than Sofia Escobar in London (who I also really like).

As for Hugh as The Phantom...WOW. I just got butterflies remembering his performance. There were little bits of his performance that I wasn't keen on, and whilst his voice isn't my favourite ever and JOJ's MOTN is wonderful and smooth etc, the combination of Hugh's voice and acting and magnatism is amazing. I've seen 4 different phantom's now and have favourite songs/scenes for most of them, but Hugh's overall performance is by far my favourite. His MOTN was electric. And at the very end, I'm not sure if this is a Broadway phantom or a Hugh thing, or maybe I just never noticed in London, but after he sing's 'Christine I love you' he then either repeats that line or says I love you, again but much quieter. He then whispers/hisses/mumbles 'I hate you' (unless I imagined it) which shocked me but I really liked that!

So yes. Was awesome.

What was different about the Hannibal scene? And why would you want Mme. Giry to have a French accent? The only time I'm aware that any Mme. Giry has had one is in the movie, and it was cringe-worthy.

ifonlyidont wrote:And at the very end, I'm not sure if this is a Broadway phantom or a Hugh thing, or maybe I just never noticed in London, but after he sing's 'Christine I love you' he then either repeats that line or says I love you, again but much quieter.

Most Phantoms do this in some way, but not all, and they each handle that part differently.

Pretty sure you imagined the "I hate you" part. Unless he was talking to himself, I'm not sure how that would make sense.

operafantomet wrote:
David Cryer and George Lee Andrews.

Someone needs to caption that photo. I can imagine some great macros with that one.

Farewell, David Cryer and George Lee Andrews. I was stunned to hear about their leaving, especially George, who was the only original cast member. They were one of my favorite parts of the show! I'm glad I got to see them together back in May.

Just Walked past the Majestic to see Jeremy Stolle on for Hughthiss afternoon. Wish I had not already bought a ticket to another show!

ravnquest1 wrote:Just Walked past the Majestic to see Jeremy Stolle on for Hughthiss afternoon. Wish I had not already bought a ticket to another show!

So both Hugh Panaro and Sara Jean Ford is off tonight, then. Would have loved to see it as well. A bit far, though...

operafantomet wrote:

ravnquest1 wrote:Just Walked past the Majestic to see Jeremy Stolle on for Hughthiss afternoon. Wish I had not already bought a ticket to another show!

So both Hugh Panaro and Sara Jean Ford is off tonight, then. Would have loved to see it as well. A bit far, though...

Yeah, Hugh was out this past Thurs, Fri and both shows today. I believe he should be back Monday.

That's a shame. I'll bet the phans were looking forward to seeing him and Sara.

TAFKaR

Raphael wrote:That's a shame. I'll bet the phans were looking forward to seeing him and Sara.

TAFKaR

Yeah, it was unfortunate. But he was out sick for a few days.

And Jeremy told me that on Thursday there was some kind of major mishap that happened where the travelator came out at the wrong time or something and snapped off a bunch of the candles that rise from the stage floor. Apparently the show had to be stopped, which I was told rarely if ever happens.

Cape Twirl of Doom wrote:And Jeremy told me that on Thursday there was some kind of major mishap that happened where the travelator came out at the wrong time or something and snapped off a bunch of the candles that rise from the stage floor. Apparently the show had to be stopped, which I was told rarely if ever happens.

Ouch, that sounds bad! And expensive. And the worst possible moment to stop the show. Do you know where they picked it up again - like, did they go back to the mirror scene, or start where they stopped?