Phantom Revamp
Phantom Revamp
dev101
Featured Actor Joined: 8/31/14
#1Phantom Revamp
Posted: 6/1/15 at 8:33pm
So I have seen Phantom of the Opera at least 4 times and would see it again in a heartbeat, but I can't help but thinking it could do really well if they changed some of the staging and scenery around. Also i wonder why they have not gotten a big name broadway star to help boost sales. Just seems like if they advertised doing some new things, it could bring in new as well as old fans. thoughts?
FindingNamo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
#2Phantom Revamp
Posted: 6/1/15 at 8:51pm
The current tour is a revamp. And from all I've seen and heard it shows how much of the original holds up because of Prince/Bjornson's staging.
#3Phantom Revamp
Posted: 6/1/15 at 8:54pm
Didn't phantom just set another money record last week? Doesn't seem like they need to boost sales. Besides, I think bringing in Norm Lewis and Sierra Boggess gave it a little boost.
Countdown til Jordan comes on raging about how much loves me! 3..2..1...
dev101
Featured Actor Joined: 8/31/14
#4Phantom Revamp
Posted: 6/1/15 at 8:54pm
JOJ, Peter Joback, Earl Carpenter, and my personal favorite: Ramin Karimloo. I know they brought Norm in, but sadly I didnt get to see his performance.
#5Phantom Revamp
Posted: 6/1/15 at 8:54pm
"So I have seen Phantom of the Opera at least 4 times and would see it again in a heartbeat, but I can't help but thinking it could do really well if they changed some of the staging and scenery around."
I know. It's totally done REALLY not well for the past almost-30 years.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
dev101
Featured Actor Joined: 8/31/14
#6Phantom Revamp
Posted: 6/1/15 at 8:59pm
Hmm I have not seen the new tour, but ill have to give it a shot! I saw the broadway production in January and there were at least 50 empty seats in the orchestra. I know january isn't the most popular time to see shows, but i still thought it was rather empty.
#7Phantom Revamp
Posted: 6/1/15 at 8:59pm
If the new tour proves anything, it is that Phantom should not be touched. Why fix what is not broken?
"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "
#8Phantom Revamp
Posted: 6/1/15 at 9:02pm
I'm pretty sure I remember reading that they did update a few things for the 25th anniversary on Broadway. The "Wandering Child" song was switched back to the original trio version heard on the original cast recording, they updated the sound system, refurbished some of the scenery and costumes and revamped their artwork and marketing materials. I don't think they need to do anything beyond that. Too many changes and they risk alienating a large portion of their audience which is likely made up of tourists and fans seeing the show for the umpteenth time who like the show the way it is.
I also agree that the tour proves how much of an effect the original staging and design likely had on the success of the show.
jimmycurry01
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/28/05
#9Phantom Revamp
Posted: 6/1/15 at 10:00pm
If it's not broke, don't fix it. It has been running for more than a quarter of a century, and doing consistent business. Let's leave a revamp to an eventual revival in the distant future.
#10Phantom Revamp
Posted: 6/1/15 at 10:18pm
""So I have seen Phantom of the Opera at least 4 times and would see it again in a heartbeat, but I can't help but thinking it could do really well if they changed some of the staging and scenery around."
I know. It's totally done REALLY not well for the past almost-30 years."
SO despite Hal Prince regularly checking in, Phantom, a show that opened in NYC in 1988, less than 30 years ago, has never been well done?
#11Phantom Revamp
Posted: 6/1/15 at 10:25pm
Am I never sarcastic? Do I not bleed?
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
Phantom4ever
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/17/07
#12Phantom Revamp
Posted: 6/2/15 at 1:30am
I hope Phantom's producers never even remotely consider the sentiments expressed by the OP. I am one of those hard-core Phantom phans who sees the show every chance I get (and get teased for it incessantly!) and ONE (not the only reason, just one) of the reasons why I so enjoy going back to the show is because of its rich, iconic imagery. If any of it were changed or updated to meet some current fad, it would most likely be very disappointed for phans like me.
#13Phantom Revamp
Posted: 6/2/15 at 1:32am
^ Make sure you do not see the new production touring the U.S. then. It is truly an embarrassment to the original production. I am dying to revisit the original production in NYC now after seeing the revamped production last week.
"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "
#14Phantom Revamp
Posted: 6/2/15 at 1:34am
"If any of it were changed or updated to meet some current fad, it would most likely be very disappointed for phans like me. "
A little late, are we?
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
Phantom4ever
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/17/07
Fusionsamurai
Swing Joined: 5/1/15
#16Phantom Revamp
Posted: 6/2/15 at 2:10am
Phantom is doing fine As is. I saw the Touring Production in November of 2014. I absolutely loved how they designed the set, but it just wasn't the same as the phantom I know an love.
Sierra Boggess is a goddess, she's by far the best one I've seen. They are doing fine after nearly 30 years, let them keep at it! They are fine.
there is a reason that nearly everything Andrew Lloyd Webber does have extremely long broadway runs. Their music is timeless, and the staging and sets are always top notch. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
#17Phantom Revamp
Posted: 6/2/15 at 2:41am
"Hmm I have not seen the new tour, but ill have to give it a shot! I saw the broadway production in January and there were at least 50 empty seats in the orchestra. I know january isn't the most popular time to see shows, but i still thought it was rather empty. "
The show still sells very well over holidays and summer breaks. (When I saw it last summer, the house was packed that night even despite "superstar" Sierra Boggess being out sick over a few day period.) Since they recouped eons ago, I'm sure they have more than enough money to be pushing through the rough months, since practically anything they make now (even during their poor periods) is a profit for them.
That being said, it ain't broke, so don't fix it.
"Was uns befreit, das muss stärker sein als wir es sind." -Tanz der Vampire
#18Phantom Revamp
Posted: 6/2/15 at 4:39am
"
there is a reason that nearly everything Andrew Lloyd Webber does have extremely long broadway runs. Their music is timeless, and the staging and sets are always top notch. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"
I am a big ALW fan (yes, a Sondheim fanatic who enjoys ALW,) albeit often in a sorta guilty pleasure way. But this statement isn't really true. He's had two massive Broadway runs, Cats and Phantom, and a very good run with Evita, and a decent run with JCS and Sunset. Of course he's had more success on London, but hardly nearly everything ALW does have extremely long Broadway runs.
dev101
Featured Actor Joined: 8/31/14
#19Phantom Revamp
Posted: 6/2/15 at 12:17pm
All of your opinions are so interesting to hear. Maybe if I attended the new tour I would have a different perspective of the broadway production. Thats next on my list i guess 
#20Phantom Revamp
Posted: 6/2/15 at 3:18pm
I thought shows had to 'freeze' and couldn't be changed once opening night rolls along? Is there an exception like if a show runs a certain amount of years they can make some changes? Are there things a show can and cannot change? How does that work?
Just a peace of my mind.
#21Phantom Revamp
Posted: 6/2/15 at 3:23pm
They have to freeze at a certain point in previews. After that... who knows?
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
#22Phantom Revamp
Posted: 6/2/15 at 4:10pm
Am I dreaming this but I remember (don't remember what year since I have seen this show so many times) when Christine sings "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again", angels around stage's eyes lit up. Somehow that image is burned to my brain and thought that was so haunting. I wish they would bring that back.
#23Phantom Revamp
Posted: 6/2/15 at 5:44pm
"I thought shows had to 'freeze' and couldn't be changed once opening night rolls along? Is there an exception like if a show runs a certain amount of years they can make some changes? Are there things a show can and cannot change? How does that work?"
Phantom has made some very minor changes over the past year or so, between adding the trio back into "Wandering Child" and for a while there having the Phantom catch Christine during "Music of the Night" (which they eventually took out again). With that, I guess they're allowed to make tiny changes here and there, but it probably would be a different story if they changed around scenes/scenery.
"Was uns befreit, das muss stärker sein als wir es sind." -Tanz der Vampire
Jarethan
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/10/11
#24Phantom Revamp
Posted: 6/2/15 at 11:52pm
I saw it about 6 months ago in Tampa. I enjoyed parts of it more, including the way the chandelier fell onto the orchestra, not the stage. The problem was that no one could top the original highlights.
For example, I thought the new staging of the title song was really good, but still pales against perfection...the first time I saw the original production (in London in 1986) was one of the rare times that I got real goosebumps watching a number. Same thing with Masquerade...the original was incredible, even with the kitschy dummies to make the crowd appear larger. This was very well done, just not as awe inspiring a 'stage picture'.
Interestingly, I think that I enjoyed the re-staging of Les Mis a little more than the original, but that re-staging was generally little things, plus the increased visuals from the original Hugo novel. I have to admit that I did not even notice that the turn tables were missing, so I guess they never made much of an impression.
i don't know if it is relevant, but as much as I love Phantom, I think Les Mis is a much better show
