Las Vegas Production

No disrepect to Crivello, but I'd rather see Michael Lackey or Ian Jon Bourg any day of the week over Crivello. He's ho-hum to me; seeing either one of the other two is a real treat and something you won't forget. Real classic Phantoms, both of them.

Phantom on a Budget wrote:No disrepect to Crivello, but I'd rather see Michael Lackey or Ian Jon Bourg any day of the week over Crivello. He's ho-hum to me; seeing either one of the other two is a real treat and something you won't forget. Real classic Phantoms, both of them.

Yet more evidence that this forum needs a like button.

Had a great time @ PLV on Wednesday. Will be posting a review within the week.

TAFKaR

Raphael wrote:Had a great time @ PLV on Wednesday. Will be posting a review within the week.

You better!

Glad to hear you had an awesome time.

I'm pretty sure this is old news, but have you all seen the gallery in this Vegas article from 2006?
http://www.usatoday.com/life/theater/news/2006-06-18-phantom_x.htm

And hey, an original creative team member who has an opinion on why this musical is so beloved!

Prince, who won a Tony for the original Broadway version, is unconcerned. "Phantom is the last show in the world that needs defending. The reason it has run so well for all these years is because it is an intensely romantic story that people love, not because of the chandelier. And that will be the same way in Las Vegas."

http://lasvegas.broadwayworld.com/vote2011region.cfm?region=Las%20Vegas

Voting has begun for the 2011 BroadwayWorld Las Vegas Awards. Phantom Las Vegas is nominated in the following categories:

Best Book Musical (currently in last place)
Best Choreography (Gillian Lynne, currently in last place)
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical (Andrew Ragone - fourth out of six, John Leslie Wolfe - fifth out of six, Larry Wayne Morbitt - last place)
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical (Tina Walsh - third out of five, Brianne Kelly Morgan - fourth out of five, Joan Sobel - last place)
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (Anthony Crivello - last place)
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical (Kristen Hertzenberg - second of four, Kristi Holden - third of four)
Best Theatre (currently first place)

As you can see, Phantom's not doing so well. And once again, our own Meglett, Brianne Kelly Morgan, is losing to a Jersey Boys SWING! This insult WILL NOT STAND! So I'm calling on all phans to show their support for Team Phantom and vote where it counts! Tell your friends, tell your family, share the link on any phantom forums you are a member of! And don't be afraid to snipe at the end like it's an Ebay auction. I suspect that swing is doing the same thing.

Voting ends December 31.

TAFKaR

Kristen Hertzenberg just released a great holiday album with concert pianist Philip Fortenberry. Now available on iTunes and the album is also available on disc through her website. In the liner notes below she also explains her recent leave of absence from Phantom. Glad she's okay!

http://www.kristenhertzenberg.com/Home.html

TAFKaR

Article on Kristen Hertzenberg:

'Phantom' star survives thyroid cancer scare

TAFKaR

Raphael wrote:Article on Kristen Hertzenberg:

'Phantom' star survives thyroid cancer scare

TAFKaR

That's wonderful to hear that a delicate operation that could have jeopardized her singing career went off without a hitch and that she's back in Phantom. Great story. Thanks for sharing.

~Madame~

Wow, that's heavy shit. Pardon my language. But cancer is bad enough on one's own, and risking to loose ones whole profession too because of it... well, that's brutal. I heard Kristen Herzenberg has been out for some time, but no-one ever said why. I had no idea it was this serious. Kudos to those operating and getting her back on her feet, and kudos to her for being a strong gal.

And welcome back on stage!

operafantomet wrote:Wow, that's heavy shit. Pardon my language. But cancer is bad enough on one's own, and risking to loose ones whole profession too because of it... well, that's brutal. I heard Kristen Herzenberg has been out for some time, but no-one ever said why. I had no idea it was this serious. Kudos to those operating and getting her back on her feet, and kudos to her for being a strong gal.

And welcome back on stage!

That is so great that she is better and did not lose her singing abilities. Must have been very very scary. I mean, it's scary for anyone but when you have a career based on your voice, that must be truly terrifying. I wrote to Kristen awhile back and she sent me such a nice letter and photo, she seems like a very nice person, I'm glad to hear she's back on her feet. :-)

I think my heart just stopped. The Vegas show will be closing September 2nd, as per their facebook page. Click

All right. What's the reason for this, now?

Worst news of the new year, so far....I'm gonna miss those folks. That's really the only reason I ever went to Vegas....

That's a shame. Maybe I'll be able to get out to see it before it closes, but doubtful.

phantom10906 wrote:I think my heart just stopped. The Vegas show will be closing September 2nd, as per their facebook page. Click

I'm depressed too....told my husband about it and he said come hell or high water, we will be going to see it before it closes in September! So trying to be positive.. :-)

I thought 2012 was suppose to be a GOOD year.

ML6 wrote:All right. What's the reason for this, now?

I assume the rumors of a new US tour seems even more likely now. Someone said they had audition callbacks for it these days, which means it'll be launched probably by the end of this year?

But really, I'm so sad. So sad.

operafantomet wrote:I thought 2012 was suppose to be a GOOD year.

ML6 wrote:All right. What's the reason for this, now?

I assume the rumors of a new US tour seems even more likely now. Someone said they had audition callbacks for it these days, which means it'll be launched probably by the end of this year?

But really, I'm so sad. So sad.

I mean, a new US tour would be GREAT but I still want to experience Phantom in Vegas. I just thought I would have more time....sigh....I'm already checking on tickets for the show, airlines, and hotels. Gonna make this happen! I haven't taken a vacation or gone anywhere since 2006 when I went out to California. I'm due for another vacation!!

operafantomet: Have you seen the Vegas show? I don't recall if you have talked about seeing or not seeing it before....if you have seen it, what did you think of it?

Well, it's a very expensive production, obviously. And weren't sales lagging some?

SenorSwanky wrote:Well, it's a very expensive production, obviously. And weren't sales lagging some?

The expense would largely be the initial investments for the theatre, sets and costumes, and these are one-time costs. The running costs, I assume, would not be much higher than other productions. But if they've re-couped the investments (which I would think they have by now), I don't blame them for wanna go out on a high note. More honourable than being a show with all tickets constantly on half price, and still not be able to fill the theatre more than halfway up...

Devon, I've never seen the show in Vegas. I had planned a trip for that second phan gathering, but then it was cancelled. And after than I haven't had the time and/or money. Now I just HAVE to. I'm already plotting what costumes I can make to finance it...

You would almost think that after the cost of building the theater they'd want to stick around a while longer. But anyway, I have to ditto the the sadness to the news; good luck to the talented cast and crew. In my mind it was such a wonderful production it would stay around forever!

I am dissapointed beyond words, I've always wanted to make it to Vegas for this and Lion King (which closed already)

SenorSwanky wrote:That's a shame. Maybe I'll be able to get out to see it before it closes, but doubtful.

Me too--I don't know if our finances will bear it. Sucks.

~LCD

Wow.
That really puts an even bigger damper on my year. We had tentative plans to go to Vegas in November/December to see Phantom. That was going to be our treat to ourselves after husband found a new job (old job ended Dec 31st, hopefully he finds one soon. We can't go much more than 10months on my salary alone). My job ends in October (yay outsourcing!) and I was going to be given a good sized severance package which we were then going to take a bit of a vacation before I started the job search.

(side note. Still don't know how the newspaper I work at is going to outsource parts of advertising, parts of our pre-press department, obituaries and legal notices to, of all places. Dayton, OH. )

This is AWFUL news. I never even got to see it. This is Toronto all over again. Will there ever be another spectacular? What will happen to costumes and sets and props? WHAT ABOUT THE CHANDELIER???
There is only one solution. We need a new production. And I'm not just talking a tour. I want a proper, full on, sit down production. And there is one city that I think needs AND deserves it the most:
Toronto... Toronto... Toronto... Toronto... TORONTO!
OG

thephanfullerton wrote:This is AWFUL news. I never even got to see it. This is Toronto all over again. Will there ever be another spectacular? What will happen to costumes and sets and props? WHAT ABOUT THE CHANDELIER???
There is only one solution. We need a new production. And I'm not just talking a tour. I want a proper, full on, sit down production. And there is one city that I think needs AND deserves it the most:
Toronto... Toronto... Toronto... Toronto... TORONTO!
OG

I think those of us in the San Francisco area might disagree with you on where a new sit down needs to go.

Yeah, there's not gonna be another sit-down production of the original show in North America.

Anea: True, the costs of building were sunken costs, but they also have a larger cast, and I'm sure the insurance on the stunt men is considerable. But even though the initial costs were one-time, that still means it takes longer to recoup the investment and harder to turn a profit down the road.

I'll be preparing another greeting card for Las Vegas company's 6th and final anniversary, so if anyone wants to have a message printed in the card, start composing and I'll collect them soon.

R.

Really sorry and quite shocked to hear about this. I didn't think the production was the best Phantom ever, but it was nice to have more than one sit-down production in the States... And after the RAH event, I am quite nervous about what the new tour will bring...

I assume the production made a profit? Not many shows run for 6 years in Vegas. Can't see myself returning to Las Vegas really now...this is the sole reason I went there.