The Broadway production + Original US Replica tour

MajesticPhantom wrote:He's acting the hell out of the role. It's gorgeous. Love seeing work like that from an actor.

Oh don't get me wrong I'm not saying it wasn't good, Peter is my (tied) favourite phantom. I just think that some parts were better when he was in London, I think it's mainly because I miss the Wandering child thing that he did ha.

Sorry, I realize my message probably looked like I was "disagreeing with you." I agree, there are moments where he, and many other actors in the NY production, might get a little hindered by the blocking.

His FL kind of impressed me, though because of his voice, I still just can't get into him in the role. His MOTN is unwatchable for me.

As per usual, RUG is slow to update the information on their web site, so I've sleuthed around a bit and found the following locations and dates for the upcoming US tour. This is an incomplete list, since there are still some gaps in the schedule, and only 13 cities that I can find so far (there are more than 20 cities planned, according to the official press release), but I am sure that more info will become available sooner or later.

The gaps in the schedule are from August 4 - September 9, and then after September 21. If anyone has any information about where the tour will be during those dates, please post it.

I got some of my info from this web site. It may be a good site to check back to, since it will likely list more cities as they are added:
http://phantomoftheopera.ticketloot.com/

Here is the (incomplete) tour schedule as I have been able to determine it so far:

Providence, RI: Nov. 27 - Dec. 7:
http://ppacri.org/events/detail/the-phantom-of-the-opera

Minneapolis, MN: Dec. 13 - Jan 5:
http://minneapolis.broadway.com/shows/phantom-opera-baa/

Appleton, WI: Jan. 8 - Jan. 19:
http://foxcities.broadway.com/shows/phantom-opera-baa/

Chicago, IL: Jan. 22 - March 2:
http://broadwayinchicago.com/shows_dyn.php?cmd=display_current&display_showtag=Phantom14

Columbus, OH: March 5 - March 16:
http://columbus.broadway.com/shows/phantom-opera-baa/

Philadelphia, PA: March 19 - April 13:
http://philadelphia-theater.com/theaters/academy-of-music/phantom-of-the-opera.php

Rochester, NY: April 16 - April 27:
http://rbtl.org/events.aspx?id=177

Cincinnati, OH: April 30 - May 11:
http://cincinnati.broadway.com/shows/phantom-opera-baa/

Greenville, SC: May 14 - May 25:
http://greenville-theater.com/theaters/peace-center-sc/phantom-of-the-opera.php

Schenectady, NY: May 28 - June 8:
http://proctors.org/events/phantom

Boston, MA: June 11 - July 20:
http://boston.broadway.com/shows/phantom-opera-baa/

Milwaukee, WI: July 23 - Aug. 3:
http://milwaukee.broadway.com/shows/phantom-opera-baa/

Des Moines, IA: Sept. 10 - Sept. 21:
http://desmoinesperformingarts.org/events/willis-broadway-series/226-phantom-of-the-opera/

I certainly hope there's more cities--there's hardly anything scheduled on this side of the Mississippi. Maybe they'll wend their way in our direction for the 2014-15 season.

~LCD

Kind of glad it's not coming to Raleigh or Durham.

Opinions on the Phantom 25th Anniversary segment on the Tony Awards last night, anyone?

For me, it was nice to see Hal Prince do the intro and have Jöback and Hill represent the Broadway company rather than having ALW and CamMac trot out Karimloo and Boggess for another one-off. I thought they did well, although it looked like Jöback was channeling Colm Wilkinson in his mannerisms.

R.

Hate that Joback was the one represented and that it was lip-synched, but I did love Hal's bit.

Raphael wrote:Opinions on the Phantom 25th Anniversary segment on the Tony Awards last night, anyone?

For me, it was nice to see Hal Prince do the intro and have Jöback and Hill represent the Broadway company rather than having ALW and CamMac trot out Karimloo and Boggess for another one-off. I thought they did well, although it looked like Jöback was channeling Colm Wilkinson in his mannerisms.

R.

Well, Ramin & Sierra wouldn't have been able to do it anyway b/c they're in Japan now rehearsing for the "4Stars" concert series they're doing with Lea Salonga and Yu Shirota.

I'm new here but I thought it was good even if it was lip synched. Peter is a great Phantom and I think he's much better than Panaro though it would have been cool to see Anthony Warlow do it. If he weren't currently in Annie that is. It was also nice that it wasn't Sierra or Ramin performing. They're talented performers but hardly the best in their roles.

I try to look at the positives.........

nice to see the old US tour candelabras brought out of storage, since the new US tour won;t be this lovely version. I also loved the projections and flooding the stage with candelabra and the two front portions showing bits of the proscenium with its erie blue lit lair effect.

Also as said over and over, I love the current US masks and was great to see it up close in performance (since last time I saw the show live up close was with Hugh and he still uses the older style)

lypsing and singing quality asside, the one thing about Peter that bugs me (and I have seen this on those things we are not allowed to mention) is he does this thing that looks like he is gasping for breath, I assume it is an acting choice to convey excitement, but I cant get 'a phantom goldfish' out of my mind.

Yeah, it kind of sucks that they lip-synced but let's face it, that song has been lip-synced for over twenty-five years.  Probably not the best way to showcase your production, iconic though the scene may be.

In his defense, I will say Joback ROCKS the physical gestures.  Some of the best hands this side of Brad Little right there.

~LCD

NightRachel wrote:
Well, Ramin & Sierra wouldn't have been able to do it anyway b/c they're in Japan now rehearsing for the "4Stars" concert series they're doing with Lea Salonga and Yu Shirota.

I'm actually glad they didn't. At the moment, they're the poster children for over-exposure. It was better having the 25th Anniversary represented by members of the Broadway cast.

R.

For anyone who couldn't make it to Kevin Gray's memorial, Dodie has put it on Youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRITudQWurc

This is Part I with Hal Prince.

http://www.broadway.com/buzz/167293/the-phantom-of-the-opera-alum-kevin-gray-dies-suddenly-at-age-55/

God, rest his soul, I did not even know that he died, so sad

Raphael wrote:

NightRachel wrote:
Well, Ramin & Sierra wouldn't have been able to do it anyway b/c they're in Japan now rehearsing for the "4Stars" concert series they're doing with Lea Salonga and Yu Shirota.  

I'm actually glad they didn't. At the moment, they're the poster children for over-exposure. It was better having the 25th Anniversary represented by members of the Broadway cast.

R.

Thank you. I was beyond happy to see the current Broadway company get some attention on the Tony's. Peter had also just flown back into the states mere hours before they were to perform, which may be a big reason for lip-syncing, but the title song is done that way nearly every performance, so I really don't get all the outrage..

StrangerThanUDreamt wrote:
Thank you. I was beyond happy to see the current Broadway company get some attention on the Tony's. Peter had also just flown back into the states mere hours before they were to perform, which may be a big reason for lip-syncing, but the title song is done that way nearly every performance, so I really don't get all the outrage..

Because it's Phantom. Some people will never forgive it for living as long as it has....  

~LCD

Looks like Broadway is getting a brand new alternate Christine: Mary Michael Patterson, here is her website with confirmation: CLICK

phantom10906 wrote:Looks like Broadway is getting a brand new alternate Christine: Mary Michael Patterson, here is her website with  confirmation: CLICK

I didn't recognize the name at first, but I checked her resume and realized I saw her as Marianne in Sense and Sensibility. She'll do very well, I think.

~LCD

So, I just picked up Changed For Good - A Feminist History of The Broadway Musical mainly to see what the author says about Phantom and Les Miz. Actually opened up to the Phantom chapter right away...and cringed at the following.

"Phantom won seven Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Set, Costume, and Lighting Design. Like Lez Miz, no actors were singled out for awards, which acknowledged design's prominence and perhaps anticipated the ease by which actors could and would be easily replaced in this new musical theatre commodity."

Gee, I seem to recall Crawford and Judy Kaye winning Tonys that year...as well as Michael Maguire and Frances Ruffelle for Les Miz the year before.

 

one can publish anything these days, being a feminist she was probably vex that Christine didnt get nominated, and as a feminist I would have thought the author would have shown Maria some praise for her work

Via the official POTO FB page

Let's talk upcoming cast changes!

After SAMANTHA HILL plays her final performances as Christine this Saturday, July 27, we’re happy to announce that our own MARNI RAAB, the current Christine Alternate, will resume duties as the Principal Christine. We’re also thrilled to announce that a brand-new Christine, MARY MICHAEL PATTERSON (left photo), will join us as the Alternate! Mary Michael, who previously appeared on Broadway in the "Anything Goes" revival, will have her debut PHANTOM performance on Monday, July 29. Welcome aboard!

As you may know, Samantha leaves us to return to her native Canada, where she’ll appear as Cosette in Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of "Les Misérables" in Toronto later this year.

In addition, another Canadian will be joining the Broadway Cast. Former PHANTOM-Toronto star LAIRD MACKINTOSH (right photo) will assume the role of André beginning Monday, August 26. Laird made his musical theater debut in the original Canadian production of PHANTOM in 1993, playing the role of Raoul for three years. He also covered the title role, giving numerous performances in the part. In total, he gave over 2000 performances of the show at Toronto’s Pantages Theatre. He made his Broadway debut as George Banks in "Mary Poppins" and most recently appeared as John Utterson in the Broadway revival of "Jekyll & Hyde."

Current André (and former Raoul) JIM WEITZER will play his final performance Saturday, August 24. He’ll return to the roles of Monsieur Reyer/Hairdresser beginning September 9. CARRINGTON VILMONT (current Auctioneer/Reyer/Hairdresser) will continue as the Auctioneer and also return to the role of Don Attilio. And we’ll sing Happy Trails to our wonderful current Don Attilio DAVID MICHAEL GARRY.

Thanks for re-posting this news here, Stranger.
Hmm, I was kinda hoping we'd get a *brand new* principal Christine after Samantha leaves, instead of having Marni back as the principal, but oh well. At least the alternate Christine will be new.

Sorry to see Weitzer go (sort of), he was an amazing Andre and one of my all-time faves in the part. I'm sure Mackintosh will do very well, though.

~LCD

And now for some 25th Anniversary US Tour casting news

Carlotta will be played by Katie McCreary

http://conservatory.umkc.edu/news-release-detail.cfm?id=497

That links says she will be a cover.

Excited to see another brand new Christine. She also seems to be the youngest Christine in Broadway Phantom's history. She is either 23 or 24, according to people on Tumblr. Other youngsters would be Samantha Hill and Julie Hanson (both in their mid 20s).

Also super excited to see Laird Mackintosh join the Broadway cast!

I have a ticket for Peter's last show ( 8 p.m. ) on Saturday August 24th, that I am possibly up for selling at a reasonable cost. The tickets is Orchestra row H, three seats in off the aisle. To make a long story short my interest with the show and the Phantom in general has been waning for some time and I'm thinking of taking a break from all phantom-related things for a while, I would like to see this ticket go to a fellow fan and I will even shave off some of the original cost as an extra incentive. Feel free to inbox with any questions. Thanks!

operafantomet wrote:Excited to see another brand new Christine. She also seems to be the youngest Christine in Broadway Phantom's history. She is either 23 or 24, according to people on Tumblr. Other youngsters would be Samantha Hill and Julie Hanson (both in their mid 20s).

Also super excited to see Laird Mackintosh join the Broadway cast!

its good that Broadway are finally going with the younger Christine look,london been doin it for a while now and katie hall from the recent uk tour was only 21 she told me so keeping with more the book,did anyone else think that mary looks similar to sarah B?

stephantom53 wrote:

operafantomet wrote:Excited to see another brand new Christine. She also seems to be the youngest Christine in Broadway Phantom's history. She is either 23 or 24, according to people on Tumblr. Other youngsters would be Samantha Hill and Julie Hanson (both in their mid 20s).

Also super excited to see Laird Mackintosh join the Broadway cast!

its good that Broadway are finally going with the younger Christine look,london been doin it for a while now and katie hall from the recent uk tour was only 21 she told me so keeping with more the book

To be honest, I think the US is the only place where the majority of Christines has been mature. Elsewhere there's been a lot of very young Christines; Amy Nuttall in the previous UK tour, Amy Hudson in South Africa/World Tour, Julie Goodwin in Australia/World Tour, Olivia Safe in Hamburg etc. I must admit I welcome the change of fresher faces in the US as well, or at least when they've delivered so well as Julie Hanson, Samantha Hill and Mary Michael Patterson has. Not sure Broadway would survive the more experimental casting West End has seen, with young, inexperienced and slightly unsteady leads.