Spectacular!Spectacular! - Vegas Phantom (spoilers)
Spectacular!Spectacular! - Vegas Phantom (spoilers)
#1Spectacular!Spectacular! - Vegas Phantom (spoilers)
Posted: 2/10/08 at 11:50am
Spectacular!Spectacular! the words are a vernacular. They can't describe this great event, you'll be dumb with wonderment. That is pretty much the only way I can sum up Phantom:The Las Vegas Spectcaular, which I had the pleasure of seeing last night at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas. Now, mind you I first saw Phantom back on broadway in '89, so I do not remember much. However, for some reason, I don't remember it being as over the top as the production I saw last night. But then again maybe it was.
First, I have to start with the theater. This theater was custom built for phantom of the opera. In fact, it is called the Phantom theater. Outside, is a mosaic tile phantom mask next to the box office area. I didn't even notice it till I looked down. Inside, the theater has a stadium seating like venue to it, so there aren't really any bad seats, plus there is a lot more leg room. When you enter the theater everything is draped in grey including the walls. The chandelier is in about 3 pieces over the audience and of course the piece on stage. When the auctioneer shouts, "gentelman!,all the pieces of the chandelier illuminate and begin to move over the audiences heads, for pretty much the entire overture, until they culminate into one big one rising. Also, the grey sheets drop on the sides of theater, to reveal numerous boxes of manniqueins dressed in the period clothing all facing the stage. If you are in the orchestra,as I was, all of this really engulfs you into the era of the show. It's pretty cool.
From what I remember for seeing the show as a kid, alot is still the same, even though there have been some cuts, mostly in the second act, and a little out of the first. However, I'm not sure if this was just in the Vegas production or in the orignal, but I don't remember the acting being so over the top. Some parts that were meant to be taken seriously, looked so funny. The only time when I felt compassion for anyone was at the end, when you truly get to see the phantom show his emotions.
Some of the other dazzling effects to this production was that the Phantom actually hangs from the chandelier at one point during the show. Also, we get to see the front of the Paris opera house. While, the entre'act is being played, mind you there is no intermission, pieces of the set come together to form the exterior of the Paris Opera house and it is illuminated, I got to say it was very pretty. There are also fireworks on stage, that effect is actually use quite alot. The chandelier actually comes down after the "Point of No Return" and it comes down fast, basically right over the audiences heads, if you are in that section, it could be pretty scary.
However, the best,cheesiest effect for the vegas production is that when raul is captured by the phantom. Instead of being put in a noose, he comes through the gate, and a cage comes up from the floor, traps him in it and then is lifted off the ground. It's like something out of a Lance Burton magic show.
Also, I dont' remember if this is in the original production, but when raul is looking for christine at the end, he jumps into the lake. That was cool. But I can't remember if that was in the original show.
So, even though Phantom is not one of my favorite shows, you definitly have a feeling watching this, that maybe this show was made for a vegas audience.
P.S, I have to scan the playbill, the promotional art is so cheesy, plus Bruce Vilanch and some hot young guy were there, so that just added to the magic and cheesiness of the evening.
#2re: Spectacular!Spectacular! - Vegas Phantom (spoilers)
Posted: 2/10/08 at 3:04pmI saw Sierra Bogges in this last year and loved it. It was my first time seeing Phantom and it was great.
#2re: Spectacular!Spectacular! - Vegas Phantom (spoilers)
Posted: 2/10/08 at 3:27pm
Also, I dont' remember if this is in the original production, but when raul [sic] is looking for christine at the end, he jumps into the lake. That was cool. But I can't remember if that was in the original show.
It is. on tour he jumps onto the stage (on a mattress). On Broadway he jumps into a trap door.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
#3re: Spectacular!Spectacular! - Vegas Phantom (spoilers)
Posted: 2/10/08 at 6:56pm
The Phantom Theatre Las Vegas.
Auditorium
A young actress with Noel coward after a dreadful opening night performance said to him 'Well, i knew my lines backwards this morning!''
Noels fast reply was ''Yes dear, and thats exactly how you said them tonight'!'
#4re: Spectacular!Spectacular! - Vegas Phantom (spoilers)
Posted: 2/10/08 at 7:36pmWhat cuts were made to bring this show down to 90 minutes? Do they still sing Prima Dona? Thanks.
Hey Dottie!
Did your colleagues enjoy the cake even though your cat decided to sit on it? ~GuyfromGermany
ShbrtAlley44
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/1/03
#5re: Spectacular!Spectacular! - Vegas Phantom (spoilers)
Posted: 2/10/08 at 7:42pmYes, Prima Donna is still there. The chandelier also doesn't drop until after The Point of No Return (as in the movie). I can't honestly remember what cuts there were - it was largely intact.
#6re: Spectacular!Spectacular! - Vegas Phantom (spoilers)
Posted: 2/10/08 at 7:44pm
http://www.thephantomoftheopera.com/poto/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=57575
http://www.phansonline.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=96106&sid=a488afcebda99775ddcacba8890e92b8
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
sally1112
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/13/04
#7re: Spectacular!Spectacular! - Vegas Phantom (spoilers)
Posted: 2/10/08 at 7:58pm^^^ That second site is kinda cool.
Toddlin2
Swing Joined: 7/5/07
#8re: Spectacular!Spectacular! - Vegas Phantom (spoilers)
Posted: 2/10/08 at 9:28pmHow big is the orchestra? I'm planning on seeing this next month.
#9re: Spectacular!Spectacular! - Vegas Phantom (spoilers)
Posted: 2/10/08 at 9:39pm
The chandelier.
A young actress with Noel coward after a dreadful opening night performance said to him 'Well, i knew my lines backwards this morning!''
Noels fast reply was ''Yes dear, and thats exactly how you said them tonight'!'
#10re: Spectacular!Spectacular! - Vegas Phantom (spoilers)
Posted: 2/11/08 at 10:59am
Toddlin got his answer elsewhere, so for anybody else who was wondering: http://talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat/d.php?id=1527524
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
Updated On: 2/11/08 at 10:59 AM
EganFan2
Broadway Star Joined: 9/8/04
#11re: Spectacular!Spectacular! - Vegas Phantom (spoilers)
Posted: 2/11/08 at 2:45pm
^^^ That second site is kinda cool.
But this one is damn scary:
www.phantomgerry.net
amalou
Broadway Star Joined: 5/15/07
#12re: Spectacular!Spectacular! - Vegas Phantom (spoilers)
Posted: 2/11/08 at 4:22pm
^phantomgerry.net is the scariest place on the internet. But good to check out for a laugh. They firmly believe that ALW re-wrote the musical just for the movie to portray an ending in which Christine marries the Phantom. Raoul and the Phantom are brothers too...yeah. No Joke.
At first I was put off by hearing the Phantom puts Raoul in a cage, but the more I think about it, it kind of makes sense. It's rather potent actually considering how the Phantom himself was once locked in a cage.
"But I can tell you that Raoul, who was so handsome in "The Phantom," is now a drunken wreck."
Updated On: 2/11/08 at 04:22 PM
#13re: Spectacular!Spectacular! - Vegas Phantom (spoilers)
Posted: 2/11/08 at 4:37pmI saw this show in Vegas and LOVED it, I cant imagine going back to the Broadway version, it just pales in comparison for me. The cage is such a cool effect and the chandelier actually drops like it should.
#14re: Spectacular!Spectacular! - Vegas Phantom (spoilers)
Posted: 2/11/08 at 4:38pmLooks like one big light fitting
A young actress with Noel coward after a dreadful opening night performance said to him 'Well, i knew my lines backwards this morning!''
Noels fast reply was ''Yes dear, and thats exactly how you said them tonight'!'
george95
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/1/08
#15re: Spectacular!Spectacular! - Vegas Phantom (spoilers)
Posted: 2/11/08 at 4:50pmOk ok let's settle down, the Vegas Phantom is not better than the B-way/London Phantom. It has all those new effects for Vegas audiences who are a lot more "duh" than New York audiences. The Vegas Phantom is great and works perfectly in Vegas. The New York Phantom is great and works perfectly in New York.
#16re: Spectacular!Spectacular! - Vegas Phantom (spoilers)
Posted: 2/11/08 at 5:03pmFor you it isnt, for me it is and I dont think 'duh' is anywhere near the top of the list of words that people would use to describe me. I think Phantom on Broadway could use a short close and a retinkering.
#17re: Spectacular!Spectacular! - Vegas Phantom (spoilers)
Posted: 2/11/08 at 5:15pm
When I saw Phantom Vegas, the mannequin robot thing in the mirror failed to pop through the mirror and TMG's cage totally malfunctioned so he had to improvise and pretend that he was strapped against the porticulis. I was like, 'WTF I want my $40 back!'
The chandelier drop is pretty sad. It drops for like one second and then the lights go off and it goes back up into the ceiling. It's pretty amazing to see it orbit and assemble during the overture though. It's very Disneyesque.
But even with the malfunctioning set, I don't know why anyone would ever want to see Phantom anywhere else. Broadway Phantom is just so tired and shabby.
amalou
Broadway Star Joined: 5/15/07
#18re: Spectacular!Spectacular! - Vegas Phantom (spoilers)
Posted: 2/12/08 at 12:49am
Well...I have to admit that the Vegas Phantom is kinda designed for a "duh" audience. Not insulting the audience, it's just that that is the kind of audience they created it for. Cutting scenes suggests the audience might have a short attention span. Adding special effects suggests it takes a lot to keep people captivated beyond a good story told with good talent.
I think it works. Keep the Vegas show the way it is and keep the Broadway version the way it is. If they turned the Bway production into the Vegas version, I'd be furious. Yeah it's not as big and extravagant as in Vegas, but it has more of an intimate feel to it. It's been a favorite of audiences for 20 years. Must be doing something right.
"But I can tell you that Raoul, who was so handsome in "The Phantom," is now a drunken wreck."
Updated On: 2/12/08 at 12:49 AM
george95
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/1/08
#19re: Spectacular!Spectacular! - Vegas Phantom (spoilers)
Posted: 2/12/08 at 11:11amThe b-way Phantom is tired and shabby? Next time you come to New York, I will buy you a $111.50 seat to phantom and you can show me exactly and specifically what is tired and shabby about it.
george95
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/1/08
#20re: Spectacular!Spectacular! - Vegas Phantom (spoilers)
Posted: 2/12/08 at 11:17am
amalou you're right. The original 1988 version of Phantom has been doing well for 20 years, and if it is messed with or Disneyfied like the rest of Times Square then will be ruining the old-school magic of the show.
Like I said, the Vegas version works in Vegas, and the original, not-messed-around-with-since-1988 version works in New York.
And it is still fresh and vibrant night after night.
#21re: Spectacular!Spectacular! - Vegas Phantom (spoilers)
Posted: 2/12/08 at 11:21amAMEN
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27199361@N08/ Phantom at the Royal Empire Theatre
#22re: Spectacular!Spectacular! - Vegas Phantom (spoilers)
Posted: 2/12/08 at 11:33amI used to work for RUG in London and was there at the time of 'Phantom's opening in NY and spent a few weeks there in the months during its set up prior to its opening. How you can say the show looks shabby is incredible because the set you see at the Majestic is the 3rd set that the show has sat on. The London production had a 100% new set just 5 years ago. Shabby Phantom aint, far from it. Same goes for Camerons long runners like Les Miz and Saigon -both in London and NY -they had the set completley renewed twice or maybe more during their very long runs.
A young actress with Noel coward after a dreadful opening night performance said to him 'Well, i knew my lines backwards this morning!''
Noels fast reply was ''Yes dear, and thats exactly how you said them tonight'!'
#23re: Spectacular!Spectacular! - Vegas Phantom (spoilers)
Posted: 2/12/08 at 2:12pmShows in vegas are shortened not because audiences have short attention spans but because it makes the most sense for a casino driven hotel to give the audience short sprints of entertainment in between their gambling. Thats how Vegas looks at shows, short interludes between gambling not because their audience cant handle it, but because it makes the most financial sense for them. Our theatres are designed only to serve themselves not a larger entertmainment complex that theyre inside of. That said, I didnt miss a single cut scene or song in Vegas Phantom, which I find quite boring and yes tired on Broadway. I've seen other 90 minute cut shows and none of them worked half as well as this one. And dont fool yourselves by suggesting that the NY Phantom sees all that much a different crowd, Phantom Broadway hasnt seen a local NY audience in ages, it serves tourists who go see it because its Phantom, not because the performers are amazing or the show is fabulous. That Chandelier fall on Broadway may have been high tech and impressive when the show opened but after seeing such things as the entire floor flipping at Rocky Horror, its just sad that a crashing chandelier has to slowly glide on a sideways angle only to be slowly lifted back into place for the second act. The chandelier is a big part of the show and why shouldnt it be as impressive as it can be and why should a possible improvement on the shows mechanics be viewed as such a terrible thing? Why does it have to be seen as being Disneyfied to have the chandelier function as it was probably meant to? For better or worse, its not all that uncommon for newer productions of long running shows to affect the original productions whether that be the adoption of new jokes or ways to cut corners and improve profits. I wish every show would make efforts to keep itself fresh and this show in my opinion could use it and maybe then with a new advertising campaign attract the NYers to return and not because some visiting family member only wanted to see that and wouldn't listen to other suggestions.
#24re: Spectacular!Spectacular! - Vegas Phantom (spoilers)
Posted: 2/12/08 at 2:16pm
Exactly! One word 'Gambling!'
Get em back on the tables asap!
A young actress with Noel coward after a dreadful opening night performance said to him 'Well, i knew my lines backwards this morning!''
Noels fast reply was ''Yes dear, and thats exactly how you said them tonight'!'
