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Probably Michael Crawford, but it's hard to say for sure since I'm mostly going off of audio - I've only actually seen him play the role in a camcorder bootleg and promotional stuff from YouTube.

Out of the ones I've seen on Broadway, I would rank them Ben Crawford, Laird Mackintosh (almost tied for first), Peter Jöback, then James Barbour (not bad, just...fine).

mailhandler777

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Best Phantom#5
Posted: 9/4/18 at 2:22pm

I personally liked James Barbour the best out of the 6 I saw.

Hi, I'm Val. Formerly DefyGravity777(I believe)

KyleMosh

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joined:5/20/15

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Best Phantom#6
Posted: 9/4/18 at 3:43pm

I saw Hugh Panaro about 6 years ago and thought he was amazing.

Danielle0314

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Best Phantom#7
Posted: 9/4/18 at 4:59pm

Ramin Karimloo

haterobics

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joined:3/29/14

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Best Phantom#8
Posted: 9/4/18 at 5:08pm

Denzel Washington?

Emmaloucbway

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joined:10/16/11

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Best Phantom#9
Posted: 9/4/18 at 5:14pm

Ben Crawford

Lot666

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Best Phantom#10
Posted: 9/5/18 at 9:18am

I always felt certain that Michael Crawford would never be bested, but then I heard and saw the current Phantom, Ben Crawford. This man has a voice that can shake the chandelier and his performance made me feel like I was seeing the show for the first time.

Honorable mentions go to Hugh Panaro, John Cudia, Jeremy Stolle, and Laird Mackintosh.

No competition for worst in my book: James Barbour.

============> this board is a nest of vipers <============
"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene"
- Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage

labellaragazza1

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Best Phantom#11
Posted: 9/5/18 at 9:49am

Lot666 said: "I always felt certainthat Michael Crawford would never be bested, but then I heard and saw the current Phantom, Ben Crawford. Thisman has a voice that can shakethe chandelier and his performance made me feel like I was seeing the show for the first time.

Honorable mentions go to Hugh Panaro, John Cudia, Jeremy Stolle, and Laird Mackintosh.

No competition for worst in my book:James Barbour."

Totally agree. Personally found Barbour bland. Have thoroughly enjoyed the rest you mentioned, Stolle being my favorite understudy, and I would add John Owen Jones and Earl Carpenter to my list. I found Peter Joback to be really fantastic as well, but I know there is quite a divide.

Lot666

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Best Phantom#12
Posted: 9/5/18 at 10:30am

labellaragazza1 said: "Totally agree. Personally found Barbour bland."

My biggest problem with him is he's one of those "shout singers", i.e., a performer who believes that loud yelling is the same thing as passionate singing.

labellaragazza1 said: "Have thoroughly enjoyed the rest you mentioned, Stolle being my favorite understudy,and I would add John Owen Jones and Earl Carpenter to my list. I found Peter Joback to be really fantastic as well, but I know there is quite a divide."

Mr. Stolle is brilliant, and I agree that Owen Jones and Carpenter are quite good as well. I didn't feel that Mr. Joback's vocal strength was sufficient for the role, but I did enjoy his acting.

============> this board is a nest of vipers <============
"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene"
- Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage

Justin D

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Best Phantom#13
Posted: 9/5/18 at 11:09am

Davis Gaines...................

thats it, lol

I can think of some real clunkers that I've seen tho (usually across the pond)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27199361@N08/ Phantom at the Royal Empire Theatre

atuomala

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Best Phantom#14
Posted: 9/5/18 at 11:27am

Norm Lewis.

James Barbour makes my skin crawl ever since I read up on his past offenses with an underage girl.

"Mostly, I loved the size of these people's emotions. Nobody has emotions this size anymore. Outsized emotions. Operatic emotions. Kushemski and Vanda are like Tristan and Isolde, they're Paolo and Francesca. Nobody's in total thrall like this anymore. Nobody's overcome by passion like this, or goes through this kind of rage." Thomas, Venus in Fur

Justin D

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Best Phantom#15
Posted: 9/5/18 at 1:09pm

Of who I;ve seen in Broadway

1. Howard McGillin. + powerful, acting was great. - suffered with terrible diction at times

2. Norm Lewis. + didn't go overboard with the screaming, good acting. - I honestly think the role was a tad too high to fit his voice properly.

3. Jason Mills. + Love to see an understudy, great voice. (no negatives that I remember)

4. Hugh Panaro + good vocals, - some odd acting choices and a bit nasally.

5. James Barbour, + booming voice, - i dont know how to describe it, but as powerful as his voice is, it lacks colours, almost monotone at times

6. Ted Keegan, another understudy at the time, he was ok, just ok, nothing negative.

Cant wait to see Ben, hopefully he sticks around for more than 1 year.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27199361@N08/ Phantom at the Royal Empire Theatre

rosscoe(au)

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Best Phantom#16
Posted: 9/5/18 at 1:22pm

Anthony Warlow needs to be on the list

Well I didn't want to get into it, but he's a Satanist. Every full moon he sacrifices 4 puppies to the Dark Lord and smears their blood on his paino. This should help you understand the score for Wicked a little bit more. Tazber's: Reply to Is Stephen Schwartz a Practicing Christian

greensgreens

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Best Phantom#17
Posted: 9/5/18 at 1:46pm

1. Michael Crawford (he was even better than on the recording, if you can imagine)

And... distantly...

2. Anthony Warlow

3. Mark Jacoby (1st National & NYC)

4. Robert Guillame (LA)

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Best Phantom#18
Posted: 9/5/18 at 1:47pm

rosscoe(au) said: "Anthony Warlow needs to be on the list"

Agreed. Anthony Warlow needs to be ALL over this list. His voice and acting choices (especially at the end of Act 1 & in The Mirror scene) were beyond extraordinary. Allegedly they added to Christopher Tucker's makeup to cover his ear in the original Melbourne production because he has such perfect pitch. Also, rumour has it, Maria Björnson's favourite in that era.

Lot666

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Best Phantom#19
Posted: 9/5/18 at 2:20pm

Justin D said: "2. Norm Lewis. + didn't go overboard with the screaming, good acting. - I honestly think the role was a tad too high to fit his voice properly."

I do like Mr. Lewis, but this is why he didn't make my list. I love it when a Phantom's lower notes are strong and rich, but it's no good if he struggles with the final note in "Music of the Night".

============> this board is a nest of vipers <============
"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene"
- Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage

Lot666

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Best Phantom#20
Posted: 9/5/18 at 2:21pm

rosscoe(au) said: "Anthony Warlow needs to be on the list"

He's one I've never seen in the role, but wish I had.

============> this board is a nest of vipers <============
"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene"
- Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage

labellaragazza1

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Best Phantom#21
Posted: 9/5/18 at 3:08pm

rosscoe(au) said: "Anthony Warlow needs to be on the list"

Oh man how did I leave off Warlow!? He’s spectacular

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