Phantom of the Opera Reviews- Page 1

[iholland95]

Posted: 10/30/14 at 9:03pm

If you have just seen Phantom of the Opera for the first time recently, please share your experience and opinion here! If you've seen the show multiple times, please share what made your most recent experience different from previous ones!

[phantomoftheopera]

Posted: 10/30/14 at 10:03pm

Phantom of the Opera is my all time favorite show ever (as you can probably tell by my name...)! I saw the Vegas production multiples times since it opened in 2006 and FINALLY saw the broadway production for the first time in February 2013, which is almost 2 years ago now that i think about it. The most recent time I saw it was in August of this year. I sat front row center which really made it stand out from when I saw it for the first time, because i sat rear mezz and the view wasn't spectacular. But now seeing it up close was amazing, especially in the beginning when they pulled the cover off the chandelier. I got to see the amazing costumes up close and enjoyed being close to the actors and seeing all their facial expressions. I didn't really have a good view of the Phantom up in the proscenium or in the golden angel but it was fine since I know the show well. I saw Mary Michael Patterson who i think is a great Christine, and Norm Lewis as the Phantom. I enjoyed Norm's acting, but some of the notes seemed a little out of his range. and Jeremy Hays is a great Raoul. I can never get tired of this show!

[phantomcrazy14]

Posted: 10/30/14 at 11:19pm

Also one of my favorite shows, as explained by my name.
Phantom was the first show I saw, the tour in 2006. It is what inspired me to pursue a career in musical theatre and I had never seen anything so incredible. I was in 6th grade then. Since then, I have seen it on Broadway 3 times. John Cudia was my Phantom not only on the tour, but the next two times I saw it on Broadway as well! I won a contest and got to go backstage at the show, and I got to meet John and talk to him in his dressing room. It was a dream come true.
I personally love the show, although I respect everyone's varied opinions. I just think it was so groundbreaking and I think the music is beautiful and the visual spectacle of the show is something that few shows have topped. I think the story is heartbreaking as well. And being my first show, it holds a special place in my heart. I still cry every time I'm sitting in that theatre and the Overture starts up. So many memories :)

[HorseTears]

Posted: 10/31/14 at 12:45am

I saw it once in the late 90s. I had to fight to stay awake. They sold some surprisingly delicious caramel popcorn at intermission. Might go back if they still sell it.

Updated On: 10/31/14 at 12:45 AM

[LittleEdieFan]

Posted: 10/31/14 at 5:04am

I listen to the Cast recording when I am struggling with insomnia.

Updated On: 10/31/14 at 05:04 AM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 10/31/14 at 10:00am

If you've seen the show multiple times, please share what made your most recent experience different from previous ones!

I've seen the show multiple times, but the most recent time I saw it was about a year and a half ago. I was suddenly disappointed in my 16-year-old self.

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 10/31/14 at 10:23am

The last time I saw it was this past June, and I was lucky enough to see the wonderful Norm Lewis in the title role! (Sierra Boggess was out sick that day, but the understudy Elizabeth Welch is very talented, so I ended up not being bothered by this in the slightest.)

Having seen the show twice before this, I must say that Mr. Lewis was the one who made this recent visit very special to me. His take on the role was truly something you don't want to miss, and he was SO nice to everyone at the stagedoor! Phantom is my favorite musical, so it was wonderful to have a great experience while seeing the show. (Not to say that the other two times weren't special, as well, but this particular evening will always stand out to me.)

Updated On: 10/31/14 at 10:23 AM

[PanaroFan111]

Posted: 10/31/14 at 11:09am

I've been a fan of Phantom since I was in the 3rd grade and now I am 32 years old and having seen the show over 50 times seeing it performed with 10 different actors playing the lead role. I love the show more than anything. I even got engaged to my wife during a performance. To sum it up when you think Broadway the first thing that comes to your mind is Phantom. I know some people are not a fan of ALW, but common who can honestly say this is one of the top to bottom greatest shows of all time.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 10/31/14 at 11:56am

To sum it up when you think Broadway the first thing that comes to your mind is Phantom.

Uhhhhhh

[PanaroFan111]

Posted: 10/31/14 at 12:12pm

UHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH? Please share with me what you consider a true Broadway classic.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 10/31/14 at 12:13pm

Oh, common.

[PanaroFan111]

Posted: 10/31/14 at 12:15pm

Never heard of that one LOL

[PanaroFan111]

Posted: 10/31/14 at 12:17pm

I think that new tour of Phantom sucks but the new Les Mis currently on Broadway is somewhat good just a little miscast

[haterobics]

Posted: 10/31/14 at 12:29pm

"who can honestly say this is one of the top to bottom greatest shows of all time."

Certainly not me.

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 10/31/14 at 1:28pm

"'To sum it up when you think Broadway the first thing that comes to your mind is Phantom.'

Uhhhhhh"


I think that PanaroFan111 meant "you" as in the "general you." The general public is not all that knowledgeable when it comes to Broadway and musicals, and yet I cannot think of a single person who has not at least HEARD of Phantom of the Opera. Many hardcore Broadway fans dislike the show (that's fine, it's their opinion), but we cannot deny that it has at least become a major face for Broadway over the years. The fact that the musical has become such an icon is one of the major reasons why it's still playing both on Broadway and in the West End so many years later.

Updated On: 10/31/14 at 01:28 PM

[Fantod]

Posted: 10/31/14 at 1:46pm

Saw it with Hugh Panero (who was excellent) and I appreciate the show for what it is, and certainly has some nice songs and I always like a spectacle, but it's not incredible or moving theatre. Just a fun time.

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 10/31/14 at 2:03pm

I saw Kaley Ann Vorhees and Greg Mills last Monday and was blown away by them--especially by Kaley- that young lady has a bright future ahead of her. She and Greg had great chemistry together and now I'm really curious to see her with Norm.

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 10/31/14 at 2:22pm

I've seen The Phantom of the Opera
-in 3 high school productions
-1 college production
-in Vegas three times
-the original tour 5 times
-the new tour 4 times
-in London once
-and on Broadway 50 times.

Every time I see it, there is something else in the score or a certain line that stands out to me. I also enjoy seeing slightly different line deliveries based on which actor is in a particular role. However, what keeps me coming back to Phantom is that it does stay the same. It is a piece that I fondly loved as a child and that I continue to love as an adult. I love that no matter what goes on in the world, Phantom will still be there 44th Street. Nobody (of importance anyway) has said that it needs to be jazzed up or facelifted or re-thought or anything. It is very comforting to re-visit.

[Showface]

Posted: 10/31/14 at 4:37pm

I've never seen it, but I almost fell asleep last year during their Tony's performance.

"UHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH? Please share with me what you consider a true Broadway classic."

Gypsy, Sweeney Todd, Anything Goes, Cabaret, Chicago, Into the Woods, My Fair Lady, Cinderella, Oklahoma (haven't seen yet), Carousel (also haven't seen yet), The Sound of Music, etc.


Phantom? Not so much, to be honest, it seems like a tourist show, at least to me...

Updated On: 10/31/14 at 04:37 PM

[phantomoftheopera]

Posted: 10/31/14 at 7:43pm

I agree with phantom4ever! It's perfect the way it is on Broadway, and the current US Tour is an absolute travesty.

[brettystar]

Posted: 10/31/14 at 10:03pm

I have seen this show about ten times since 1990, the last time being on Broadway. in 2007. Oh I also own the Blu Ray concert.
It is not my favourite show but I think it is a musical theatre masterpiece of sorts. Not necessarily for the music (not a big fan of ALW though he can write a memorable tune - albeit schmaltzy at times) but for the sum of it's parts.
The direction by Hal Prince and the design by Maria Bjornson is magnificent. The moment I walk into the theatre I feel an eerie atmosphere which sets the tone perfectly.
I find parts of it achingly beautiful, for instance when the Phantom is in the angel and starts crying as he sees his muse in love with another... and the final moment when he sets her free because of Christine helping him to feel love at last.
Hate that ALW ruined the story with the ridiculous Love Never Dies.
Of the times I have seen this, the least exciting performance was the Broadway one in 2007. It felt very tired and not in good shape. I can therefore understand if people are seeing this version and not enjoying it so much.
I know it is not everyone's cup of tea and can understand why, however I don't think this is purely just for tourists. There is a lot of appeal to a lot for a great many people which has made it the phenomenal success it is.

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 11/1/14 at 1:01am

It is curious that you found the Broadway production of Phantom to be tired and out of shape. You also credited Hal Prince's direction as magnificent. It is well-known that Hal returns to the Majestic and rehearses the cast and gives notes so that the show does stay fresh and in shape. But I think with long-running shows, people have it in their heads that it must be tired if it's run a long time and that's that.

[HorseTears]

Posted: 11/1/14 at 2:12am

[haterobics]

Posted: 11/1/14 at 2:18am

^^^ Unintentional CATS joke?

[HorseTears]

Posted: 11/1/14 at 3:02am

No comment.