Breaking News: Broadway Stars Norm Lewis and Sierra Boggess to Take Over in PHANTOM This May!- Page 3

[AHLiebross]

Posted: 3/21/14 at 4:20pm

YES! YES! YES! I've been dying to see Norm Lewis live ever since I heard him sing Javert in a recording of Les Mis. I love the idea of a deeper-voiced Phantom. As far as Sierra, I saw her a few days after her premiere in the Las Vegas version of POTO, unfortunately, from the VERY back of the theater. I saw her again in the Phantom 25th at the Majestic, again from the back of the theater. Here's my chance to see her from a good seat.

In terms of Norm Lewis's being the first Phantom of color in New York, I'm on record in my other Broadway World discussion board identity (PTOPhan) as saying that the race of the actor playing the Phantom is irrelevant, but that the Phantom himself has to be a white man to avoid changing the story. If the Phantom is anything but white, another potential reason for his mistreatment besides his disfigurement rears its head. That would certainly make a wonderful story -- a black musical genius is scorned because of his color -- but it's not the story we all troop to the Majestic to see.

Welcome to the role, Mr. Lewis. I know we'll be swooning when we hear you sing "Music of the Night."

[GobiasIndustries]

Posted: 3/22/14 at 5:19pm

Has anyone heard about Lewis' performance schedule? He's scheduled to perform with the Pasadena Pops in Los Angeles on June 7th. Want to buy tickets to Phantom but want to ensure he'll be in the show.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 3/22/14 at 6:53pm

Well, I would assume that, like every other Phantom, he is "scheduled" to perform 8 shows a week, unless illness strikes and possibly to fulfill those previously scheduled concerts.
Don't buy tickets for dates that he has concerts scheduled - and the day before and after, if you'd care to be extra safe - and you have as good as chance as any of catching him in the show, baring unforeseen circumstance. As we know, there is no guarantee with the human body.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 3/22/14 at 7:03pm

darreyl102, I also get so annoyed with the assumption that being a replacement is somehow a lesser job. Like it or not, PHANTOM is now a classic and a sort of legendary show (will anything ever run as long as it has?), to be able to say you were part of the Broadway cast of a show like that is an honor, IMO. A good, meaty role on Broadway is quite a treat for working actors like Boggess and Lewis, good for them for taking the parts, and good for the producers for trying to inject new blood into the show.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 3/22/14 at 7:30pm

A good role is a good role.
A dream role is a dream role.
It does not matter where the production is or the pay. There are roles actors jump at.

A Broadway show is still a Broadway show.

Taking over a lead with minimal stage time in a show that is in no danger of closing?
Any fool would jump at the chance.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 3/22/14 at 7:36pm

I just might have to see this. I worked at Phantom when it first opened and to this day, I have never seen the show from start to finish in the theatre.

Bummer for Mary Michael Patterson (Christine) who wasn't even with the show a year.

[Simon Damon]

Posted: 3/22/14 at 8:04pm

I love the fact that Sierra has kept doing this role. We need more people like this in the industry. Gavin Lee comes to mind

[kurt.perry41]

Posted: 3/22/14 at 9:39pm

To those saying that Norm is a Baritone and that caused a problem as the phantom, I would like respectfully disagree. I think that having a different vocal color from Raoul will really add some contrast to the score.

Also Norm Lewis has a solid high C that you can hear on his album, which is something few tenors on broadway can boast. So I wouldn't worry too much about it.

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 3/23/14 at 3:34pm

"Timothy Nolen was the first replacement Phantom on Broadway"

Yep, I saw in in Jan 1988 and he was the Phantom. It was the first night out my wife and I had out alone after the birth of our first daughter in November 1987.

[Phillytheatreguy10]

Posted: 3/24/14 at 4:04pm

So what do we think Sierra's schedule will be? Refresh my mind what is the current Christine/Christine Alternate breakdown? I swear I saw the regular Christine and not the alternate at a Sat. matinee.