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Bad Theater Behavior Mar 16
2014, 10:46:32 PM
Sweet Lips, I'm echoing Art Man -- pay no attention to the insults. I learned to type when people were taught to leave two spaces after the end of a sentence. Now, it's one. I still do two because it's hard to break the habit, but the same folks criticizing you could easily criticize me.
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LOVE NEVER DIES eyeing Broadway; Completely new ending? Mar 16
2014, 10:20:26 PM
Mr. Roxy wrote: Yeston's phantom never really made it to Broadway and it is probably better musically than the one now at the Majestic.
I may have the facts off a bit, but I think I read that Yeston and Kopit wrote their version before ALW wrote his. However, they had to wait to produce it until the Leroux original came off copyright in the U.S. (Perhaps they couldn't afford the royalties.) The copyright period ended earlier in Britain, which gave Ken Hill and, more importantly, ALW, the jump on Yeston and Kopit. I don't know if the story is true, but it's interesting.
BTW, whoever likes Audrey Liebross's plot line for LND, on behalf of Audrey, I say, "Thank you."  I post as AHLiebross sometimes when I'm too lazy to switch accounts -- I have two accounts because I use this one to post on the boards and the other to write reviews for Broadway World.
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Valjean understudy - Holy WOW! Mar 16
2014, 10:06:40 PM
In terms of body types, I wonder if the alternate JVJs are taller than Ramin -- he always struck me as too short for the Phantom, whom I picture as tall and lithe (and older) and for JVJ, whom I picture as tall and brawny.
Regarding Samantha Hill, I saw her on Broadway in, I think, her second performance as the alternate Christine Daae. She blew me away, and I wasn't surprised when she became the main Christine and Marni Raab became the alternate.
BTW, is "alternate" the corre
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If/Then Previews Mar 16
2014, 09:49:59 PM
I loved it in DC -- I saw one of the last performances. It sounds like I'll be seeing it again in New York. I thought the plane crash song was searing. (I'm a terrified flyer, and this didn't help). The *SPOILER* death of the husband had me in tears, as did her alter-ego's meeting him towards the end -- **MORE SPOILERS** it was as if the first Elizabeth had indirectly killed him by marrying him, because it was the birth of their second child that had caused him to delay his Army deployment an
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Top (and Weirdest) Theater Stories of 2013 Dec 19
2013, 10:01:35 PM
I have two weird POTO-oriented stories (naturally  ) First, at the Broadway 25th anniversary performance in January, those phanatics (including me) who won the Facebook contest and who were seated in the rear mezz seats at the Majestic all made fools of ourselves. I was decked out in full Phantom-themed regalia (earrings, jacket, pendant, and pins), but my outfit was NOTHING compared to the young ladies around me who had huge Phantom masks tattooed on their backs. What if a new show that they like better opens when they're 50? Where will they put the new tattoos? I shudder to think about it...
Second, the new US POTO tour opened a few weeks ago with a pyrotechnic mishap that resulted in clearing the theater. (At least it wasn't the chandelier). When I saw that the Broadway World reviewer (and apparently others) deemed the new version darker than the original, I decided that this HAD to go down as a weird story -- it's hard to put on any show darker than the original POTO without producing a musical about the Donner party.
Finally, one non-Phantom bit of weirdness: Was it 2013 or late 2012 in which the arrests and suits over the ill-fated "Rebecca" took place?
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WICKED taking Circle in the Square Dec 19
2013, 09:31:56 PM
1) TMG, I think you mean "twit," and not "twat." If I'm not mistaken, "twat" is an obscene term for a portion of the female anatomy, but I am by NO means an expert on obscenity.
2) Phantom of London, when in doubt I'll always side with other Phans, unless they're Republicans. (American political joke). Why don't you confound all the folks complaining about your signature and change it to list everyone who has played the Phantom in New York, London, Las Vegas, on every tour, and in every "official" production? That ought to make TMG happy.
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IF/THEN Musical WITH SPOILERS Dec 8
2013, 01:39:28 AM
I saw the show on 12/4, and realized that there were lots of changes, even though I hadn't read this thread. The giveaway to the changes was a few stumbles on the lines. As far as the switches between timelines, I noticed the name change and, sometimes, the lighting, but not the handbag. I've been suggesting a wardrobe difference in comments I made on Facebook -- a scarf, perhaps.
The plane crash isn't a crash anymore -- it's a near miss. In act II, Beth and Lucas see each other and talk about why they've been apart for more than two years. She complains that he should have called her after her plane almost crashed into the Atlantic. He says she should have told him (presumably about the abortion). The story line leaves ambiguous whether she had an abortion or lost the baby because of the trauma due to the plane accident. Also, even though the plane scene happens right after Liz's wedding to Josh, the dialogue makes clear that Beth is going to London to give a speech on urban planning; her assistant comments on it before she boards, and another passenger wants to talk to her about her work because he's heard of her. Immediately after the scene, when the shocked audience wonders if Beth is dead, the suspense is carried forward because LaChanze's character walks into a bar and says she's lost someone. I really hope they keep the plane scene in because the ensemble number about fear, regret, and sadness is one of the most searing songs I've heard in a musical.
The one part that doesn't make sense to me in the plot(s) is why the LaChanze character and her spouse are happy in one timeline and divorce in the other. It is really obvious why Lucas winds up married to a man in one and single, in the other -- he's bisexual, with a crush on Elizabeth. He sleeps with Beth, gets her pregnant, and shows he's hurt. In the other timeline, Liz finds Josh and Lucas doesn't get involved with her, allowing him to find David.
If/Then does NOT put down women's choices -- it just makes clear that some lead to one thing (but cause us to sacrifice something else) and others can lead to the opposite. The idea is that Liz has a crummy job because she spent time with Josh and showed up a day too late to get the city planning job. Beth has the job because she went to the office to talk to Steven right away instead of staying to talk to Josh. In the end, the timelines cross -- the widowed Liz changes careers and decides to run for office, while Beth, happy in her career, but unable to find love, meets Josh (who is still alive because he didn't delay his deployment and therefore wound up in a less dangerous spot than Liz's Josh).
I really think (and hope) this show will be a hit. I'm just wondering how they'll manage to sing "WTF" on TV for the Tony awards.
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The New Yorker explains the neurological reasons for the SOM snark Dec 8
2013, 12:36:30 AM
I didn't watch the broadcast but I've looked at pieces of it on the Web. I was surprised when I saw that "Something Good" was in it, because I recalled that Richard Rodgers wrote it for the movie. Namo, thanks for confirming that I was correct.
I suspect that the live action was the gimmicky part. I didn't think much of the results when the "Les Mis" movie shot the songs live. Having to put everything together in a live production that has to worry about ending on time, and neither h
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SOM Questions... Dec 8
2013, 12:12:02 AM
I read in comments to the BWW article about Carrie Underwood's tweeting "Mean people need Jesus," that she was responding not to folks who had criticized her singing or acting but to vicious attacks, including death threats. I often find comments to news items, no matter on which blog, to be less accurate factually than "The Onion," but these ring true. Criticism is one thing, but vicious personal attacks, especially those that threaten or potentially incite violence, are out of bounds.
<
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WICKED As An Animated Film Dec 7
2013, 11:34:49 PM
After seeing a clip from Frozen, I decided that Wicked would be perfect as a Disney animation -- or even a non-Disney animation. Stage fantasies may work better when they're animated for a movie because the theater leaves a lot to the imagination. Once the story moves to live action film, people expect either out-of-this-world special effects or exact translation from the stage, set and all -- perhaps both at the same time. Another advantage of an animated film would be the potential availabili
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Any early Tony Predictions? Dec 7
2013, 11:18:18 PM
If/Then for best musical. LaChanze (?--spelling) for best featured actress (in a musical). Best Book should be If/Then as well. I saw it on 12/4, and suspect they've made changes -- it's not particularly confusing now, although I'd like to have seen Elizabeth wear a different scarf or hat or something to signify that she's Liz now or Beth now. The score was incredible -- especially "What the F---" (don't know how they'll sing that one for the Tony award broadcast, :-})and the song where the
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Similar Lines from Different Shows Nov 24
2013, 08:01:58 PM
A few weeks ago, someone started a thread mentioning a song line about things going well for three weeks. The person couldn't remember which show the line came from. It turned out there were two answers, "Fiddler on the Roof" (the dream sequence) and another show.
I thought it would be interesting to see if people can think of any other song or dialogue phrases that appear in multiple shows. (I'm not talking about sequels or revivals -- solely about unrelated productions).
T
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What Are Your Favorite 'Family Friendly' Musicals? Nov 22
2013, 11:38:27 PM
To me, family friendly means it isn't too dark and they'll probably understand it. Also, it has to have enough in the way of visuals and movement to keep them engaged. My list would be:
Annie
Shrek
A Christmas Story
Matilda
Probably Wicked
Lion King (Maybe)
Spiderman
Little Mermaid
Mary Poppins
The Sound of Music
My Fair Lady
Depending on the family, Jesus Christ Superstar
Again depending on the family, Joseph and the Amazing Tech
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Must have Musical Albums! Nov 22
2013, 11:25:23 PM
There is a fascinating version of My Fair Lady with Kiri Te Kanawa and Jeremy Irons. Sadly, even though their take on the roles is interesting, I didn't sense much spirit from either of them.
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Would Hugh Jackman be a good Phantom?? Nov 22
2013, 11:19:17 PM
Patash wrote:And add me to the ones who don't "get" others trying to compare his film role to a stage role. Do people on this website really not get the difference -- particularly with the way Les Mis was done as a film?
Patash, I mostly agree with you. However, I think that the way Les Mis was filmed made it more like a stage show, because the voices were recorded live, on the soundstage, with no "do overs." Frankly, I didn't like the results -- even the great Colm Wilkinson sounded
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New Phantom tour Nov 22
2013, 11:03:49 PM
Marway, I think the Philly sales will skyrocket starting today, 11/22, when the individual tickets go on sale -- before today, there were only subscriber and group sales, and sales to folks that knew to click through from the official POTO site. (Thanks again for letting me know they were already available).
Lizzie Curry, I had written that "they'd better keep the boat and "Music of the Night" or I'm going to curse the day they did not do, all that the Phantom asked of ... them," which
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Happiest Songs? Nov 21
2013, 11:33:36 PM
I can't remember the name of the song from "Fiddler on the Roof," where Motel sings to Tzeitel about how God has given her to him. "Do You Love Me?," also from Fiddler, is funny and sweet -- a definite upper.
"Master of the House" is a pick-me-up from "Les Mis" -- a show that desperately needs a break from the misery.
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New Phantom tour Nov 21
2013, 11:24:13 PM
Marway, I saw on the official Phantom site that, by clicking on the advance sale code info shown in a blog entry, it's possible to buy tickets now. (Alternatively, log onto the Kimmel Center cite and use the code "Christine.") I just got two dead center seats for row DDD, in the closest section to the stage. I think it may be the first row, based on its being the only row that shows up in that section, whether empty or occupied. Thanks for letting me know that it's possible to buy them before
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BREAKING NEWS: REBECCA Still Hoping to Make it to Broadway in 2013? Nov 20
2013, 10:53:26 PM
I just noticed DeNada's comment from January 2013 that "the melodramatic atmosphere is the complete antithesis of everything that's popular on Broadway at present." I can think of one melodramatic show that has been running on Broadway for almost 26 years, with dialogue such as this:
"Have you gorged yourself at last in your lust for blood? Am I now to be prey to your lust for flesh?"
"That fate which condemned me to wallow in blood, has also denied me the joys of the flesh."
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New Phantom tour Nov 20
2013, 10:45:22 PM
I haven't been able to track down good seats at a decent price in a location relatively close to DC. My best shot is when the tickets go on sale Friday morning for the Philadelphia run. Boston has almost nothing in the first 10 rows of the orchestra, in the center section. I'm becoming worried that the subscribers have gotten all the good seats, everywhere -- either that, or the EBay scalpers bought them up. (I thought scalping had become illegal).
For me, aside from the music, the t
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