Most underated broadway Phantoms

[PanaroFan111]

Posted: 9/20/14 at 7:33am

Ive seen the Broadway production over 60 times with 10 different men playing the Phantom some were the principles and some understudies. I wanted to know other than some of the fan favorites were there any actors that really give a standout performance that really get no recognition. Also any from the US tour of the original production.

[NoName3]

Posted: 9/20/14 at 9:19am

Jeff Keller

[Cuneas]

Posted: 9/22/14 at 5:20am

I never actually heard him do Phantom, but after hearing Timothy Nolen's performance on the Grind cast album (he was, if I'm not mistaken, the first to play the role on Broadway after Crawford vacated it), I really wish I could have.

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 9/22/14 at 10:47am

From what I have read, many fans didn't seem to think Tim Martin Gleason was a very good Phantom. However, I rather liked him. (Of course, he was my first Phantom, so maybe I just have a soft spot for him.)

[someone.else's.story2]

Posted: 9/29/14 at 12:48pm

Kevin Gray. Not sure if he was underrated, but he was one of the best.

[eyehrtfood]

Posted: 9/29/14 at 2:41pm

Timothy Nolen... I saw him during one of his last performances - before Cris Groenendaal took over (after Nolen was allegedly bought out of his contract due to divided thoughts over this performance). I liked Nolen (perhaps you might even find a bit of him on YT....) - but story is that his voice was shot for some time thereafter. He's a baritone... and was obviously not singing a baritone role - so some of it was a stretch. (Hal Prince did end up casting him in Whistle Down the Wind a number of years later, so apparently no dislike for Mr Nolen, despite the Phantom ousting...)

My "I never saw him, but" is Ted Keegan - who is currently back in the ensemble in the Bway production. I assume he was always an understudy or brief fill-in - but in watching Sierra Boggess' Broadway.com video feature, in which she interviewed probably 20 different Christies, his name came up several times - seemingly fondly - as Phantoms they played opposite.

[OperaBwayLover]

Posted: 9/29/14 at 3:02pm

I don't know if anyone else would consider him underrated (I don't really keep up with the POTO fanbase), but I'd say Brad Little. He was the Phantom during the original production's tour back in 1997-1998 (don't know for how long) and he really brought the 'spooky' elements to the role.

Posted: 9/30/14 at 12:14pm

Norm Lewis...Saw the show last night...He brings the best Physicality to the Role I have seen(7 Phantoms seen including Micheal Crawford)...Some songs a little out of his range but he has the acting nailed..Saw Alternate Daae, Kaley Ann Voorhees, 20 years old WOW, what a future ahead for her!