Let's get the basic question out of the way: Why did you want to come back to Rent? Well, I didn't know I wanted to do it until I actually decided to do it. I had moved to L.A. but I'm in New York this summer making a record and I kind of missed Broadway. So I said to myself, maybe I could do a short stint in some show, six or eight weeks, while I'm here. I could work at the same time. Not that making a record isn't working, but actually making money! [Laughs.] But none of the roles I was interested in were available.
Such as? Such as the Phantom of the Opera. I wanted to play the Phantom terribly—I still do actually. I went in and sang for them. I have to say I sang great, but the part is not available; that's unfortunately the situation.
does anyone think he eventually would be doing phantom???
I have a really hard time seeing him as the Phantom but if this ever happened, I would definitely go see him in it.
"You drank a charm to kill John Proctor's wife! You drank a charm to kill Goody Proctor!" - Betty Parris to Abigail Williams in Arthur Miller's The Crucible
And hardcore Pascal fans would try to tear the hardcore Phans apart. I love a good musical theatre bloodbath. I say, go for it, Adam! Let's watch the cat-fights!
"There is no problem so big that it cannot be run away from."
~ Charles M. Schulz
Eh, I take no issue with Phantom fans. I don't see why there would be a fight, though -- I think it's silly to try and convince people of something as subjective as a performance that would be THAT divisive, you know?
I don't see it, but it would kinda be fun to see him try it. I just don't know how much classical tenor there is to his voice. His singing of the role would certainly be different.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: someone revive Chess for this man.
"If there is going to be a restoration fee, there should also be a Renaissance fee, a Middle Ages fee and a Dark Ages fee. Someone must have men in the back room making up names, euphemisms for profit."
(Emanuel Azenberg)
I totally laughed at the idea at first, but then after listening to the POTO CR a few times, the idea isn't that bad. He has been experimenting with different voice techniques lately, so who knows. I'm sure he wouldn't have gone to do it if it was going to make him look stupid. We will see what the future holds.
And i fully heartedly agree with Siren - Adam = The American!
BroadwayBoobs: I'll give all of you who weren't there a hint of who took the pictures ...it rhymes with shameless
Gotta say that Adam in my opinion was the most dedicated performer in the Chess concert. He stood out from the pack as extremely prepared and was for the most part off book. The others ridiculously talented people in that cast were phenom, but Adam was clearly the standout. Even my husband was like, that Adam Pascal guy is kicking serious ass up there and husband is not a musical theatre person.
He might be what the show needs to breathe some life into those 19 year old curtains.
"I am a camera with its shutter open, quite passive, recording, not thinking...someday all of this will have to be developed, carefully printed, fixed." - Christopher Isherwood
19 years? Wow, I didn't know Phantom has been running that long...that's amazing. But you're right, he may be the ticket into bringing more people to see the show. The idea's been kind of growing on me a bit.
Your aspirations are your possibilities-Samuel Johnson (and a little help from nomdeplume)
I wasn't saying Phantom needs more people to see it. I was saying that the show has grown incredibly stale and needs some revitalization.
"I am a camera with its shutter open, quite passive, recording, not thinking...someday all of this will have to be developed, carefully printed, fixed." - Christopher Isherwood
His playing the Phantom is probably the only thing that would get me to see that show again. I think it might be time to change up some of the characters. (Not that I don't like the show itself; I loved it, but it's been around for an awfully long time)
Saw him in Rent in his 3rd show after he and Anthony returned in early August. Best show I have seen to date! I would go see him as the Phantom and just saw that they extended to be in Rent another month to 10/7. To second another poster, anything to keep him on Broadway. Maybe they will revival Aida and he will come back to do Radames again. I listen to the music all the time but never got to see it...
But you're right, he may be the ticket into bringing more people to see the show.
Phantom hardly needs to cast a "name" star to attract viewers. The show itself is the draw, not the performer, and is consistantly at 85-100% capacity.
Oh I didn't know it was that full most of the time. But basically what I meant was like Sondhead said; breathing new life into a show like Phantom could be very refreshing. Sorry for the confusion
Your aspirations are your possibilities-Samuel Johnson (and a little help from nomdeplume)
I don't think him going to Phantom would bring some extraordinary value or anything like RENT. I'm sure the first few weeks would spike some sales due to devoted adam fans **whistles and looks at ceiling** and people curious to see if he could do it. And maybe Adam's younger demographic of fans who haven't seen the show will develop a liking to the show. Outside of that, I don't see anything crazy happening. But it could be a good move for him, career wise. Like the emcee, it breaks him out of the "rock" mold people put him in.
I don't know this for sure, but I wouldn't count on an AIDA revival any time soon.
BroadwayBoobs: I'll give all of you who weren't there a hint of who took the pictures ...it rhymes with shameless
I think he'd be a lot like Colm Wilkinson as the Phantom, and I really like Wilkinson in the role on "Hey Mr. Producer". Wilkinson is, essentially, a rock singer, and of course he was Webber's pick for the role, even before Michael Crawford. So I think the Phantom having a rock edge to his voice may be what Webber intended all along.