The Phantom of the Opera recent cast review

[PanaroFan111]

Let me start this post by saying Phantom is by far my favorite Broadway shows of all time! Ive seen the show over 75 times and have seen 12 different actors play the Phantom.

With this being said, I felt like writing a small review from yesterdays Matinee performance I attended with my wife.  The music the costumes and production was flawless as usual but my biggest problem seemed that some of the actors who all of which I seen before and love there performances seemed very stale and just not into it yesterday. Grant it live theater people will have there off days that's life, maybe its just my 1st time seeing phantom with so many people having off days.

James Barbour (Phantom) who I've seen 4 times has an amazing voice but I found him to be very stiff during the Final Lair which is the scene where he should show off his acting and vocal range.

Julia Udine (Christine) who I have never scene before, I was not impressed at all nether with acting or voice.

Jeremy Hays (Raoul) Who I've seen countless times and I always found to be wonderful just seemed bored playing the role that day, Very unlike him.

The 2 bright spots

Laird Mackintosh (Andre) who's one of the best Andres I've ever seen  as well as a  fantastic Phantom understudy

Michelle McConnell ( Carlotta)  On top of being very attractive her acting skills make her the greatest Prima Donna ive seen at the Majestic.

Anybody who has seen the show recently please tell me what you think. Anybody who's doesn't like the show please no need to comment lol.

[BroadwayConcierge]

I saw Ms. Udine over the summer and actually thought she was quite a good Christine.

[BruceWayne5148]

Sadly, I had a similar experience 3 weeks ago. Phantom is one of my guilty pleasures and I've seen it a handful of times. I forced my boyfriend to go see it because he hadn't seen it before and it was extremely disappointing. From the very first lines at the auction through the rest of the show the actors seemed bored and dull. He wanted to leave at intermission, but we stayed through. I've never seen so many actors phoning it in. 

[Marian The Librarian]

Count me in with having a similar experience. The last time I saw the show was a few months ago with James Barbour, Kaley Ann Voorhees, and Jeremy Hays. James was good, but his Phantom just didn't resonate with me in the way Norm Lewis' did. I love to see a Phantom who goes all out during the final lair, but I felt like he was really holding back. Kaley was okay, her acting was a bit awkward. Jeremy seemed like he didn't want to be there. He visibly broke character and started laughing when one of the curls from Kaley's wig got stuck on his jacket which really pulled me out of the scene. My favorite, as usual, was Laird Mackintosh! He was absolutely hilarious and stole every scene he was in. I'd really, really like to see his Phantom someday. Until then, I probably won't be returning any time soon.

[fashionguru_23]

You should all know that "many moons ago", Laird Mackintosh was an amazing Raoul in the show. Glad to see him carry through with the show.

[Mr. Wormwood]

I saw Phantom this summer and I totally agree with you about Barbour and Udine

[atuomala]

I like James Barbour, but I love it when Laird plays the Phantom. Norm Lewis was my first Phantom, and I regret having not seen him multiple times before he left the company.

[broadwaysfguy]

I saw chris mann the reality tv star in SF and thought the entire cast and production was flat and unappealing

this was after seeing phantom with many fantastic casts over the past 20 years, most recently norm lewis and the fabulous sierra boggess

they need to leave this show to real pros

i left at intermission,,,,,

[Phantom4ever]

Surprised to hear all this.  I've seen Phantom at the Majestic 5 times in 2015 and 56 times overall and I am always on the lookout for actors phoning it in or appearing dull. I have yet to see it. Hopefully the posters on this thread happened to have seen the show right before Mr. Prince came in for one of his famous rehearsals and notes sessions with the cast that he does a few times a year. 

[LizzieCurry]

I last saw the show towards the end of Norm Lewis' run. The performance definitely felt a little sluggish, but I've seen worse out of long-running shows.