The Broadway production + Original US Replica tour

Bah. Well, plan B of seeing Edwin Drood is still good to go. Everyone who got in have fun, and someone grab an extra program for me!

~LCD

justin-from-barbados wrote:well i went this morning first thing and i guess the few tickets they had are gone, so i guess i will be watching form the sidewalk

Oh, so sorry to hear that, justin. A shame you couldn't get a ticket! Well, you'll be with us in spirit in the theater.

Got a ticket to the Gala performance! So excited! To those attending, what are you wearing? I know it said Glamorous/Black Tie but the FB page said you could wear a cocktail dress or suit if you want. I was planning on wearing a suit outfit since it will be cold. Do you think I'll be ok with that?

Mme Reyer wrote:I got a ticket!! So excited!! Is there going to be a Phan meet up on the 26th??

There are rough plans to meet up late Saturday (after the 8pm shows get out since not all phans may have gotten tickets to the gala). I don't think anything else is being planned that day.

sk8phan wrote:Got a ticket to the Gala performance! So excited! To those attending, what are you wearing? I know it said Glamorous/Black Tie but the FB page said you could wear a cocktail dress or suit if you want. I was planning on wearing a suit outfit since it will be cold. Do you think I'll be ok with that?

Yeah, a nice suit should be fine.

operafantomet, I'm arriving tomorrow and have tickets for all performances from the Thursday matinee to the 25th anniversary. That's probably one show too many (I can't fit in a Saturday matinee due to the early start time for the 25th ann performance), but I can't seem to get rid of this Thursday night ticket.

LCD and justin, sorry to hear neither of you managed to get a ticket I'd have offered you one of mine but I already gave it to another phan friend.

R.

No worries, Raphael--I'm going to see PotO twice and spend time with you wonderful folks (and hear all your stories about the gala!), which is way more than I had hoped for six months ago.

~LCD

Had a second row viewing last night, must say Sierra was vocally wonderful as always. 3rd time ever seeing it from so close, I really need to stop watching the set and focus more on the actors, lol, but everytime I see it I see something new, even if minor.

2 slightly new things I noticed, not sure if they were intentional or not.
In Notes (the first one) Fermin was jacket-less, was a nice touch, reminded me of John Savident in the early days.
In the AIAOU reprise as the phantom was going up in the angel, he threw back his head and off went the hat and cape, and he sort of leaned really far over the statue looking down on the audience, maybe it was my view, but I've never seen that before.

Oh and at the end when he took up the veil, he muttered "my angel" was a nice little touch.

justin-from-barbados wrote:

Oh and at the end when he took up the veil, he muttered "my angel" was a nice little touch.

Yeah Hugh's added that to his performance recently. I don't know when he decided to make it a full time thing, but I noticed it back during the Fall and then again when I saw the show last week. A nice addition!

Hugh Panaro & Sierra Boggess on CNN's Starting Point earlier this morning. (Currently on the Starting Point main page!) Looks like they recorded all new show clips of Hugh & Sierra!!


(In case the website updates soon and changes it's top story, here's a direct link to the piece: Hugh & Sierra on CNN

there was a bit of filming lastnight too, dont think they did much though, just some audience shots, was kind of distracting in the auction scene though because they were under one of the boxes so they had the curtains open and the lights on, so you could see people coming on stage in the blackout

justin-from-barbados wrote:there was a bit of filming lastnight too, dont think they did much though, just some audience shots, was kind of distracting in the auction scene though because they were under one of the boxes so they had the curtains open and the lights on, so you could see people coming on stage in the blackout

I know they've also had a crew from 60 Minutes there in the past few days and Hugh has taped a segment for CBS This Morning, but I haven't got details as to when that's airing.

I've seen the new 25th Anniversary programs they will have at the theatre, and they are gorgeous! Great new photos of Hugh & Sierra, big glossy pictures.

So, I figured out what is happening after the show tonight. Spoiler blocked it.

Spoiler:

Do not assume that he is being left out in the dust. There are many reasons that go into why someone may or may not be making an appearance at an event. And, besides, the event hasn't ended yet.

They announced the next Broadway Phantom at the show just now, I will reserve my judgement on it since I have not seen much of him (by choice I must add)

Yup, it was just announced on BWW that Peter Joback is coming from the very end of April through the very end of August. I have heard mixed things, but I am excited, and will be able to see him play this part. Hopefully after time away he finds more ease in the role.

Some photos I took at the gala:







More here: http://cotypubby.tumblr.com/post/41593779445/25th-anniversary-of-phantom-of-the-opera-gala-at

(btw, that Red Death sculpture was actually a cake!!!)

MajesticPhantom wrote:Yup, it was just announced on BWW that Peter Joback is coming from the very end of April through the very end of August. I have heard mixed things, but I am excited, and will be able to see him play this part. Hopefully after time away he finds more ease in the role.

Wow, didn't see that coming! I must say i am a bit jealous though i was hoping he would make a return to HMT after Marcus leaves, though i suppose he still could. I sure alot of people are going to say "i'll be avoiding the show while he's in it" like they did when he was in London, but he is a brilliant Phantom. I saw him 4 times and seemed to get better each time vocally, acting wise he was great every time. I hope he does well on Broadway and doesn't get lots of haters.

Terrible choice. Hoping to hear reports on the show and what actually did go on after the show other than that announcement.

It's been made clear in the following announcement that, when Sierra leaves, Samantha Hill will become the new principal Christine, and Marni Raab will return as alternate...
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/174421-Broadways-The-Phantom-of-the-Opera-Will-Welcome-West-End-Star-Peter-Jback

For the record, I saw Hill as Christine earlier this month. She is physically a very different type than most Broadway Christines.... she is very petite... fits right in with the ballet chorus. Very much a teenager (the actress is 25ish). She's developing fine in the role as alternate.

ooh, so if i go see phantom in EARLY APRIL, hugh will still be performing, yes?! i'll prob be going on saturday, april 6th. i really really wanted to see him!!

looking forward to seeing Samantha tomorrow night, got me a box seat again (I dont know why it is but no matter how hard I try I just cant seem to get ANY seats house left at the Majestic, everytime i go i get House right no matter what section)

Yeah, I too wasn't expecting to hear that Peter Joback will be the new Broadway Phantom after Hugh takes a few months off, but hopefully Peter will be good in the role.

Well, I was lucky enough to be there last night at the 25th Anniversary gala performance of POTO on Broadway! It was SO awesome! A very good performance overall by the entire cast (IMO highlight was Sierra Boggess as Christine -- she's now my favorite in the role!), and the icing on the cake of course was the finale/curtain call, led by Hal Prince and CamMac, and featuring the 3 additional Phantoms (JOJ, Peter, & Ramin Karimloo) singing with Hugh Panaro and Sierra!
Truly a magical evening, and I'm SO glad I got to experience it live!

P.S. Also great to see Raphael and other fellow DP members/fellow Phans there in NYC this weekend! Had fun hanging out with you all!

I also managed to get in (thanks to the aid of some wonderful phriends) and had an amazing time! Cast was a bit uneven, but lots of energy onstage and from the house made it a memorable evening. Will post a full review later when I'm not so close to collapsing.

~LCD

Just wanted to pop on and say I had a blast finally being able to get to meet some of you, even if I'm kinda quiet on this board, it's a wonderful feeling putting faces to names. A truly memorable night. I hope all of you had a safe journey home.


J.

Just also wanted to say thanks, Cape Twirl, for posting pics from the Phantom after-party at the New York Public Library. It was cool seeing the facade of the building all lit up like that...and WOW -- that Red Death figure was actually a cake?! Awesome!

Well, I should have checked this for the gathering info afterwards. Sorry to have missed meeting some of you. But it was an amazing evening. Somehow, I managed NOT to hear about Jobeck's announcement (not sure when they made it) but I had heard a rumor while shopping earlier that day!

Oh, and Paula was correct. No selling of any new brochures or souvenirs. But we had free champagne at intermission

NightRachel wrote:Just also wanted to say thanks, Cape Twirl, for posting pics from the Phantom after-party at the New York Public Library. It was cool seeing the facade of the building all lit up like that...and WOW -- that Red Death figure was actually a cake?! Awesome!

Yup! It said it was a sugar & cake sculpture! It smelled great!

They had all these mannequins dressed in various Masquerade costumes from the tours & Vegas productions set up all around the space. There were also six actors dressed as Footmen from Masquerade standing and walking around. It was so cool!

Phantom 25th was the most amazing thing ever.
So fun xo!

Here are some pics from the performance and after party.

http://tinypic.com/r/2r4l8w3/6
http://tinypic.com/r/210yukz/6
http://tinypic.com/r/a09g6x/6
http://tinypic.com/r/2q07uw1/6
http://tinypic.com/r/9kt2cp/6
http://tinypic.com/r/5lyqn5/6
http://tinypic.com/r/s6ra54/6
http://tinypic.com/r/2945kpg/6
http://tinypic.com/r/311swih/6
http://tinypic.com/r/2qutf2h/6

Tried to get more pictures but my camera isn't the best xo

I'm gone for a few days, and Phantom world just explodes??!?!? BAAAH!!! New Phantom, new Christine, new brochure, new photos, videos, phans having a blast, awesome blog links and phan photos.... AND I MISSED IT ALL? There aren't enough hours in the day!

Thank y'all for sharing and making me so-so-so jealous. Keep it coming!

I suspected Jöback was heading across the pond, cause recenctly he's posted a lot about doing a successful audition there, and longing to live there again and stuff, and I had a sneaking feeling it was Phantom related. Yet I was surprised when they actually announced it. He's more of a West End Phantom. But it'll be interesting to see how Broadway copes with a fresh Christine and a rather different Phantom... now let's hope they get a new Raoul too.

No need for the strikethrough, Anea--a lot of us were saying that this weekend.

~LCD