I did not like the new direction, scenery or costumes which were all cheap imitations of the original but the cast wasn't terrible. It was just everything else that was bad.
I think all of it is an insult to the original production. I can't believe they can get away with this and not credit Hal Prince, who's production it is clearly indebted to. They are using most of the same costumes!
Are there any differences in this "New Production" other than the cheapness of it all? Like, what did they actually change? I've heard good things about the chandelier's crash, but not much else. Just wondering.
Aside from the direction, the scenery is a complete redesign by a completely different designer. The costumes while credited to the original designer are scaled down versions of the originals utilizing what appear to be less expensive fabrics. In some cases costumes are just completely replaced all together with new designs like the majority of the men in the masquerade scene who are now wearing embellished tuxedos in place of the more elaborate masquerade costumes Maria Björnson actually designed.
¿Macavity? said: "Thanks! How is the chandelier crash though? How does it compare to the crash on B'way?
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The chandier only goes in one direction and that is straight down towards the audience, while the Broadway counterpart the chandelier falls onto the stage. Also it's much smaller and slower.
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I saw this in DC last night and have some thoughts on it...
*Chris Mann was a great phantom with many layers both vocally and in his acting choices
*The added dance sequences were well done, but sometimes stole focus from the main characters
*Storm Lineberger's Raoul was an embarrassment... nasal, pitchy singing with the school of Norma Desmond acting
*U/S for Christine was on... acting was decent, but sounded too much like a disney princess
*The new set may be more "technologically advanced", but it is a HUGE let down. 80% of the spectacle is gone, and the limpness of the show is allowed to peer through. The huge pillar in the middle of the stage was an eyesore that haunted me more than any phantom could.
Vancouver local Eva Taveres made her debut as Christine Daae in Phantom last night, in Vancouver! How cool. Hearing great things. (I'm biased as she is a friend...) Hopefully you can see her on tour sometime!
EvanK said: "Vancouver local Eva Taveres made her debut as Christine Daae in Phantom last night, in Vancouver! How cool. Hearing great things. (I'm biased as she is a friend...) Hopefully you can see her on tour sometime!
I'm going to see it in Vancouver tomorrow night. These posts are making me nervous now. I thought I had heard this new production was better than the last tour.... which I did not see. Oh well.... I'll still enjoy the music.
A Canadian in NYC said: "EvanK said: "Vancouver local Eva Taveres made her debut as Christine Daae in Phantom last night, in Vancouver! How cool. Hearing great things. (I'm biased as she is a friend...) Hopefully you can see her on tour sometime!
I'm going to see it in Vancouver tomorrow night. These posts are making me nervous now. I thought I had heard this new production was better than the last tour.... which I did not see. Oh well.... I'll still enjoy the music.
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I had never seen Phantom live until last week, seeing the tour in Vancouver. I loved the show. Cast was stellar, music gorgeous, set fantastic, and costumes gorgeous. I really loved the show. As did everyone I've spoken with. I guess the phantom snobs are not alive in Canada.
I saw it last summer in DC. I liked it. I worked at the Majestic Theater when the Broadway production first opened, and believe it or not, I had never seen the show from start to finish until I saw the tour last year! I really liked the set design.
Hey Dottie!
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