THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Reopening Night Thread- Page 5

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 11/2/21 at 7:22pm

labellaragazza1 said: "AEA AGMA SM said: "Luminaire2 said: "So, seeing as they are no longer using doubles, does this mean they are singing most of the title song live now?"

The use of doubles has not been completely eliminated. Before the shut down there were two sets of doubles, one that did the cross on deck and down into the trap after the dressing room scene and another that does the back and forth along the travelator. The travelator doubles are still part of the staging, it's just that on deck set that have been cut."

I was under the impression that the second cross on the travelator was the actual pair, and that they're doing the whole thing now since they made Christine enter the mirror faster while he's saying "I am your angel of music, come to me angel of music" (he's still singing it when Raoul enters the dressing room)



Guess I'll have to go again to make sure haha"

The way it times out, at least in the pre-COVID staging, there would not be enough time to get off the travelator and into the boat. So unless they sped up the crosses and have some dead time with no one onstage it’s still the doubles doing the entire staging on the travelator 

[kade.ivy]

Posted: 11/2/21 at 8:11pm

labellaragazza1 said: "AEA AGMA SM said: "Luminaire2 said: "So, seeing as they are no longer using doubles, does this mean they are singing most of the title song live now?"

The use of doubles has not been completely eliminated. Before the shut down there were two sets of doubles, one that did the cross on deck and down into the trap after the dressing room scene and another that does the back and forth along the travelator. The travelator doubles are still part of the staging, it's just that on deck set that have been cut."

I was under the impression that the second cross on the travelator was the actual pair, and that they're doing the whole thing now since they made Christine enter the mirror faster while he's saying "I am your angel of music, come to me angel of music" (he's still singing it when Raoul enters the dressing room)



Guess I'll have to go again to make sure haha"

 

When I saw the show this past Thursday, I also thought the second cross on the travelator was made by the “real” pair (I was sitting in the third row). I’m also fairly certain the entire song is still lip synced, but I could be wrong. 

 

[saxpower]

Posted: 11/3/21 at 12:04am

Wasn't at least part of the reason for the staging change in the transition from the mirror to the title song was to not have to worry about the race of the "double" Christine matching that of the "real" Christine? (Less of an issue for the Phantom between the mask and the cloak).    If so, keeping the doubles in the travelator portion means the issue is still there.   I'm seeing it this Friday so I'll see what I can pick up- but haven't seen the show for a long time now (and only once on Broadway- though the tours I saw were the original ones). 

[FANtomFollies]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 12:26pm

I saw 'Phantom' last night so thought I would just give a few thoughts on the performance:

First off, the show looks and sounds incredible and probably is in better shape than the first time I saw it at the Majestic in 2002. The main trio (Ben Crawford, Emilie Kouatchou and John Riddle) have fantastic chemistry and all felt super present. Emilie in particular is somewhat of a revelation as Christine. Her performance is at once Victorian and perfectly in-tune with the period feel of the show, but at the same time breathes a lot of fresh air into the role. My mother kept describing her performance as refreshing. I don't think I've ever seen an actress get as much emotion out of the score as her. She is truly acting through song. 

The only minor change since the reopening that really bothered me was the Phantom removing the lasso from Raoul by simply 'yanking' it. I think anyone new to the show wouldn't think anything of it, fwiw.

It was also my first time sitting in the front mezzanine at the Majestic (Row B seats 2 and 4) and I was VERY happy with our seats. You are close enough to see facial expressions and costume details, but far enough to get the entire stage picture in view. I know someone else mentioned feeling very 'removed' when sitting upstairs (was that you Lot666?) but I have to strongly disagree as I felt very connected from my seat....but to each his own :) 

[Logan28]

Posted: 11/7/21 at 10:20pm

I was at the 5pm showing of Phantom today (first time seeing Phantom since the pandemic), right at the end of 'Think of Me' as Christine hits the big note, two (what looked to me like paramedics, they definitely seemed to be in a uniform) ran on stage left, and escorted, at this point, a very flustered Meghan Picerno off stage as the curtain came down.

An announcement came over saying technical difficulties had halted the performance. It was around 20 mins before it resumed with no further announcements being made. The entire cast came back on in full form. 

There was a subtle crackle or some sort of interference on one of the speakers every now and again throughout the opening number, but I wouldn't have thought they would have escorted a cast member of stage mid song to fix that?

[saxpower]

Posted: 11/9/21 at 3:21pm

I was at the 11/5 performance.  I agree - the show is in great shape.   I had not seen Phantom (other than the Royal Albert Hall version) for over 20 years, so it was somewhat fresh to me.   I honestly don't believe I would have noticed the changes if they had not been discussed on this board.

The audience was definitely very enthusiastic (Also, no delay getting in due to COVID requirement.  separate line to check ID/vaxx  card, quick moving.  Same was true of other shows I saw over the weekend. Kudos to the usher who seated me by saying "Welcome back to Broadway!" after I got to my seat).  Huge amount of applause as the lights went down, and again when the chandelier swung over the audience. 

Attendance-wise the orchestra looked pretty well filled.  I couldn't really tell how filled the mezzanine was when I looked up at intermission. 

 

[ellbellthomps]

Posted: 11/16/21 at 4:52pm

Two things:

I haven't seen this on broadway in years. Are the front row center telecharge tickets worth it, or should I be farther for the same price?

Second, have they announce who's playing phantom when? I already know Christine is going to be the alternate when I go, but no clue about phantom. 

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/16/21 at 5:06pm

The Phantom doesn't have an alternate.

[Lot666]

Posted: 11/17/21 at 7:55am

ellbellthomps said: "Two things:

I haven't seen this on broadway in years. Are the front row center telecharge tickets worth it, or should I be farther for the same price?

Second, have they announce who's playing phantom when? I already know Christine is going to be the alternate when I go, but no clue about phantom."

If the price is the same, I recommend moving back 2-3 rows in center orchestra. I love the front row, but some of the stage magic workings will be more  apparent when seated that close (I've seen the show innumerable times and am already aware of how everything is done, so it's not necessarily a detraction for me).

Unlike Meghan Picerno as Christine, Ben Crawford is scheduled to perform as the Phantom in all shows; there is no alternate Phantom, as he does not have any regular days off. If an understudy is on, then Ben is out due to illness or personal needs. 

[ellbellthomps]

Posted: 11/18/21 at 8:14am

Lot666 said: 

If the price is the same, I recommend moving back 2-3 rows in center orchestra. I love the front row, but some of the stage magic workings will be more apparent when seated that close (I've seen the show innumerable times and am already aware of how everything is done, so it's not necessarily a detraction for me).

Unlike Meghan Picerno as Christine, Ben Crawford is scheduled to perform as the Phantom in all shows; there is no alternate Phantom, as he does not have any regular days off. If an understudy is on, then Ben is out due to illness or personal needs."

Thank you!

I ended up buying front row for no particular reason other than I plan to see Phantom again with Meghan Picerno, so I can get a further back seat to see what I missed. "Stage magic" won't really ruin anything for me, but thank you!

Thanks for the news about Ben, too. I was really hoping to see him! 

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 11/18/21 at 9:23am

Just wanted to reiterate Emilie Kouatchou’s upcoming schedule for those who would like to see and support her performances:

Thurs 11/18, Sat 11/20 Matinee, Mon 11/22, Thurs 11/25, Sat 11/27 Matinee 

[Lot666]

Posted: 11/18/21 at 10:40am

Updated On: 11/18/21 at 10:40 AM

[Lot666]

Posted: 11/18/21 at 10:42am

ellbellthomps said: "Thanks for the news about Ben, too. I was really hoping to see him!"

Should you arrive at the theatre and discover that Ben is out, you'll still be in quite excellent hands as long as the understudy is Jeremy Stolle or Greg Mills (if it's Ted Keegan, I would seriously consider politely asking to reschedule).

[ggersten]

Posted: 11/25/21 at 12:12pm

Meanwhile in London ….Mackintosh v. ALW

[Lot666]

Posted: 11/29/21 at 8:47am

ggersten said: "Meanwhile in London ….Mackintosh v. ALW"

Wow. So Mackintosh is now "facing the music" for what he did to the London production and he's trying to blame Andrew. And "it is likely to take several years for this highly praised production to break even"? Oh, the poor dear millionaire.

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 4/22/22 at 8:38pm

Saw the again yesterday for the first time since the re-opening weekend last October. This was also my first time seeing Emilie as Christine and WOW was she good. Her voice reminds me of Stephanie Mills---so rich and luxurious. I loved her she just sang the heck out of every note. 

I feel like when I saw the show those two times in October, I was so eagle-eyed about finding changes that I really couldn't truly enjoy the show I love so much. So this time I made sure to just sit back and enjoy, and to especially enjoy the little bits and pieces that I've always loved for whatever reason---and guess what? All of those little reasons were still there. I have a friend who just went to London and saw Phantom there and she lectured me about how you have to see Phantom in London because it's iconic etc.  Awkward!  

So. The grosses. Are any other phans concerned about Phantom's grosses lately? It seems like the show was doing so well last fall, and then it really fell off during the omicron surge and it still hasn't fully recovered. The percentage of seats sold should be much higher during these spring break weeks. I noticed they extended the booking period from September 2022 all the way until January 2023. 

Also, it looks as if Phantom lost its Times Square billboard. It always occupied the billboard at the northeast corner of 47th and 7th, high on top of the building. Years ago it used to say "Broadway Legends" and it had Phantom and Les Miz on it. But now it features Harry Potter!  Yes there were digital ads around but now permanent Phantom advert in Times Square that I saw.  

I don't think I'm at the point of worrying about the show closing, but I am worried that Cameron would sabotage ticket sales as an excuse to replace the New York production with the same cheap tour that London has---and in a smaller theater. Weren't there rumors he wanted to move the show to the Broadhurst?  Isn't he the kind of guy who would say "hey ticket sales are low so we have to close. Oh wait! I'm the savior of Phantom! We can just downsize and move into the Broadhurst instead of closing!"  Ugh. 

[7thbighero]

Posted: 4/22/22 at 9:07pm

The situation in NYC is complicated for CamMac as unlike in London, they have to deal with another party (the shuberts) whereas in London ALW owns Her Majesty’s theatre. Under the current circumstances, Phantom operates without a stop clause, which would definitely be on the table should they try to close and downsize 

 

and correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t  Mackintosh not have the same power over the NYC production as he did in London?

Updated On: 4/22/22 at 09:07 PM

[labellaragazza1]

Posted: 4/22/22 at 11:10pm

They are often on the video billboards around 44th-45th street, and I don’t see them spend advertising money really anywhere else. The Majestic is a pretty large house and while their average ticket prices are lower, it still sells a lot of seats and has million dollar weeks.
 

At “worst,” I think they’d move it to a smaller house before closing, and I think the unions here are a bit stronger here than in the UK before any changes to the production would be made.  But my phan heart is always optimistic it will stay as is where it is for a while longer 
 

 

[MadsonMelo]

Posted: 4/22/22 at 11:17pm

Broadway is the only production with 27 musicians as of now? Im glad I saw in my last trip.

[Lot666]

Posted: 4/25/22 at 12:59pm

Phantom4ever said: "This was also my first time seeing Emilie as Christine and WOW was she good. Her voice reminds me of Stephanie Mills---so rich and luxurious."

Oh dear. I have a ticket for early June and was excited to see what she does with the role, but the comparison to Stephanie Mills is not encouraging to me. Don't get me wrong, I love Ms. Mills as a disco diva, but I cannot imagine her voice in Phantom. Christine should have a high, clear-as-a-bell soprano voice, and that's not Stephanie Mills at all.

Phantom4ever said: "Isn't [Mackintosh] the kind of guy who would say 'hey ticket sales are low so we have to close. Oh wait! I'm the savior of Phantom! We can just downsize and move into the Broadhurst instead of closing!' Ugh."

Yes, he is, and I do believe he's waiting for the first opportunity to jet over here and start his surgery. Ugh, indeed.

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 4/25/22 at 1:15pm

I'm sorry if the Stephanie Mills comparison was bad because there really isn't anything bad about her voice. I meant that her voice is rich. I never thought of Mills as disco lol. It is definitely clear as a bell, but just gorgeous as well.  I have a ticket for early June too!  

[Lot666]

Posted: 4/25/22 at 4:38pm

Phantom4ever said: "I'm sorry if the Stephanie Mills comparison was bad because there really isn't anything bad about her voice. I meant that her voice is rich. I never thought of Mills as disco lol"

I guess it depends on what era you grew up in. 

What Cha Gonna Do with My Lovin'

Pilot Error

The Medicine Song

Sorry to go off-topic!

 

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 4/25/22 at 5:52pm

Ah yes I only know her from the Wiz cast recording!  

[Huss417]

Posted: 4/29/22 at 4:21pm

Has anyone tried this with TDF? I'm curious what the seats have been.I'm trying to get an idea of a Thursday Matinee

Thanks.

[suicidalmickeymouse]

Posted: 5/4/22 at 9:28am

Just won the lotto for tomorrows matinee. Any intel on how Ben and John Riddle’s attendance have been? Big fans of them. This will be my first time seeing the show, I had to check it off my list finally!!