Phantom still in good shape

[LAmber]

Posted: 2/11/09 at 8:50am

I saw POTO last night, and I was surpised it is still in good shape. The singing is excellent and Howard McGillin is superb.

I have a question. Do you know how much if any of the show is pre-recorded? I have a feeling that part if not all of the overture is prerecorded as well as part of the title song (especially the end) and some of the voiceovers.

[Gingersnap2]

Posted: 2/11/09 at 9:11am

You pretty much answered your own question about the pre-recorded segments. The title song and the voiceovers (such as the Phantom during "Notes") are the primary pre-recorded parts.

I was there, however, one night in 2005 when they did the show without the pre-records.

[LAmber]

Posted: 2/11/09 at 9:24am

Thanks gingersnap. The seats are really inexpensive Mon-Thurs and you can definitely move closer if the ushers don't mind. It's a great show. I may go again. I hope that the sequel creates a visual link between both productions. Part of what makes POTO great is the beautiful design

Posted: 2/11/09 at 9:48am

LAmber---I saw the show last night too and agree that the energy, voices, etc are in great form. I actually saw it last week also and last night's performance had a bit more energy and I believe, for some reason (IMO), the sound system was a little better. (the new digital sound is really amazing)
I can't explain why---but last night was wonderful!
One question---why did they put Marni Raab's name as a "substitute" in the playbill (one a piece of paper), when she's the permanent "Christine"???? Also--her name was on the "substitue" list in the lobby---"at this performance, the part of Christine will be played by..."

[LAmber]

Posted: 2/11/09 at 9:51am

Justafan, I thought they had more than one Christine playing the role so that they just add a slip for whoever is playing Christine that night.

Maybe I'm wrong though, I did think that was curious. Howard McGillin is great, isn't he?

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 2/11/09 at 9:58am

http://www.phantomoftheopera.com/modules/article/view.article.php/c7/17

Posted: 2/11/09 at 9:59am

He's amazing----one of my favorites. Did you see the clip on BWWTV where he discussed how he makes the show fresh each evening? If not, here it is:
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/BWW_TV_PHANTOM_MEMORIES_Part_1Making_It_New_20081031

Did you see that blue streak on the upper left (stage R) last night?

[Hank]

Posted: 2/11/09 at 11:00am

I saw POTO last summer with Jennifer Hope Wells as Christine. At the time she was doing six shows a week while an alternate was doing the other two.

I was seated front row, center. Most of the time that is not the best place to be, but for this show at the Majestic it was amazing. I could see everything, including the stage floor, up close and the chandelier rose just barely (by a few feet) above my head.

[LAmber]

Posted: 2/11/09 at 11:00am

I didn't see the Blue streak you mentioned, what scene was it in?
I think I am going to see it again on Monday. It's really a great bargain.

Posted: 2/11/09 at 11:15am

The blue streak was in the rooftop scene and, I think--the graveyard scene. It must've been part of the scenery (a "jagged blue light") and was uncovered by accident.

I agree that the first row or two is very do-able in this theater---the stage is low and set back so visability is perfect.

[mijofly19]

Posted: 2/11/09 at 1:03pm

justafan, my guess is that Elizabeth Loyacano was supposed to go on the night you saw it, but for some reason she was unavailable so Marni Raab played the role. But because the Playbill says that Loyacano plays the role of Christine on those nights, Raab was technically an understudy because according to the Playbill she is not supposed to be playing the role. Hence the understudy sheet.

[Mamie]

Posted: 2/11/09 at 1:48pm

I'm getting into town a little late on Friday and I thing you've just convinced me that it's time to revisit my old friend, the Phantom. It's been a long time but I have a vague recollection that the orchestra seats are stadium style - no? I'd have my niece with me and she's always plagued with having an amazon sit in front of her!

If I do go I'd probably just grab tickets when I get there. Are there usually good seats available?

Posted: 2/11/09 at 2:55pm

Mamie---from Row I back are stadium seats. Enjoy!

[Justin D]

Posted: 2/11/09 at 3:08pm

Oh dear, the blue streak.

Well, I'm the biggest fan of the show out there, but sadly those bloe streaks are "supposed" to be lightning. they go off at the end of the first act, at the end of the graveyard scene and during the overture. Its really lame looking.

[LAmber]

Posted: 2/11/09 at 3:08pm

They also have cushions for small children. I saw a few ushers putting them on seats for younger viewers. I thought that was very nice of them. The kids were so well behaved too.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 2/11/09 at 3:13pm

The view from the back of the orchestra is fine at the Majestic. I sat in row Q, and had no issues with the view. The overhang from the Mezzanine wasn't bad, like it is in other theaters.

[winston89]

Posted: 2/11/09 at 3:20pm

I will admit that I am a big fan of this show. With regards to the new sound system, I very much love it. I think that a great example of how much more it adds to the show would have to be how it is used for The Phantom's pre recorded part in "Notes." The sound is now done in such a way, that the voice goes back and forth between the speakers on the right and the speakers on the left, creating a more haunting effect then it was before. Before, it was just coming out of the speakers same old same old.

Also, with regards to the Christine understudy. Because Elizabeth is listed as an alternate, when she goes on, there isn't any understudy slip. Having been to the show and seeing both the main Christine go on (this was when Wills was with the show before her maternity leave) and seeing the alternate go on they never have an understudy slip.