THEATRE REVIEW: "The Phantom of the Opera" ... Three productions... Four manifestations...
During the summer of 2010, my mom and I saw a performance of "Phantom: the Las Vegas Spectacular" at the Phantom Theatre--located within the Venetian Hotel, Casino, and Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada. We were staying next door at the Palazzo Hotel, Casino, and Resort. My mom got the tickets to the show as part of a travel package. I remember we got to select our seats on a computer at the box office at the Phantom Theatre (now that the show has closed, I'd imagine the theatre has been renamed).
On the night we saw the show, Anthony Crivello starred as the "Phantom." I don't think I will ever forget his performance--probably because he sang every song with his teeth clenched. I don't remember who else was in the show. Kristi Holden might have played the part of Christine Daaé that night. But it might have been the alternate. I'm not sure who the alternate performer was. Raoul was most likely played by Andrew Ragone. As far as the chandelier, I remember it was in three sections at the beginning of the show, and during the overture, revolved slowly over near where my mom and i were sitting. While this was happening, dust cloths were unveiling mannequins in the opera boxes, posed as if seeing a show. By the end of the overture, the chandelier is up near the ceiling in one piece, and didn't fall until near the end of the show. My mom liked this production better than the original musical "The Phantom of the Opera." My dad, who saw the Vegas production another time, liked it better too. They thought the original was too long. I wanted to see the original for myself. Before long, I did.
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| Anthony Crivello as the Phantom (photo most likely by Joan Marcus). |
Even though this production of "Phantom" was too abridged for my tastes (I felt like we had been cheated out of a full-length production), it was very successful. The musical...spectacular...or spectacle...had been running since 2006 (coincidentally since the same year that the Third National Tour of "Les Misérables" closed). Granted, the Vegas Production of "Phantom" didn't close too long after my mom and I saw it. That might be because they went a bit overboard with the Phantom theme. I don't mean the theatre. I mean how the original cast recording was playing in the elevators of the Palazzo Hotel and Casino. That hotel is connected to the Venetian Hotel and Casino, where the Phantom Theatre is/was. With the music playing on the elevator, it was like we couldn't get away from the show. Now, if they made the elevator a free-fall ride, that would have changed matters, and my opinion, entirely.
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On August 8th, 2012, I saw a matinee performance of the Broadway Production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber / Charles Hart musical "The Phantom of the Opera" at the Majestic Theatre in New York, NY. This was during the same NY trip when I saw the Broadway Revival of "Evita." On the day that I saw "The Phantom of the Opera," Hugh Panaro played the title role. To get a ticket to the show, I went to the Times Square TKTS Booth the morning of the performance, and got an orchestra level ticket for $70. That sounds like a lot, but the full price of the ticket was double that amount.
Since I saw a Wednesday matinee, the alternate for Christine Daaé was performing. At the time, the alternate performer for Christine Daaé was Marni Raab. The principle performer for Christine Daaé was Trista Moldovan. The role of Raoul was played by Kyle Barisich; the role of Carlotta was played by Michele McConnell; Kara Klein played the role of Meg Giry; the role of Madame Giry was played by Cristin J. Hubbard; Aaron Galligan-Stierle played the role of Monsieur Andre; and Kevin Ligon played the role of Monsieur Firmin. The cast also included Christian Sebek (Ubaldo Piangi) and Richard Poole (Joseph Buquet). In this 2 1/2 hour production, unlike the one in Vegas which was 95 minutes and lacked an intermission, the chandelier f can only see it now on Broadway or in thealls at the end of Act One, right before intermission (spoiler alert). I liked this production better than the one in Vegas. I think that's because you West End. Plus in this production the Phantom didn't sing with his teeth clenched. Hahaha.
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| Hugh Panaro as the Phantom (photo by Joan Marcus). |
On April 16th, 2023, "The Phantom of the Opera" will perform for the last time at the Majestic Theatre on Broadway. I don't know how I feel about this. I am thankful that I got to see "The Phantom of the Opera" on Broadway when I did. Nothing quite compares to seeing the production that was directed by Harold Prince. The musical opened on Broadway in 1988. That is over thirty-four years ago. Now it is up to "Chicago: the musical" to become the longest running musical in Broadway history. I sound like I'm rooting for that to happen. I suppose I would have preferred for "Les Misérables" to have become the longest running Broadway musical instead of "Phantom." But I enjoyed both musicals.
Seeing "Phantom" on Broadway in 2012 was an enjoyable experience. I liked seeing it on the same New York trip during which I saw "Evita." Both productions had tickets available at the TKTS Booths, and both productions were underrated shows because of that in my opinion. Another show that had tickets available at the TKTS Booth at the time was "The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess," which starred Audra McDonald and Norm Lewis.
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| Marni Raab as Christine Daaé (photo possibly by Joan Marcus). |
Norm Lewis went on to become the first black actor to play the role of Phantom in the Broadway Production. The first black actor to ever play the role of Phantom was Robert Guillaume. He played the part in the Original Los Angeles Production at the Ahmanson Theatre in 1990. The casting of Phantom and Christine Daaé in the Broadway Production has become more diversified over the years. In 2016, Ali Ewoldt became the first Asian-American actress to play the role of Christine Daaéin the Broadway Production. Unfortunately, unfortunately, the breaking of racial barriers won't prevent "Phantom" from closing.
While "The Phantom of the Opera" is an old-fashioned musical in many ways, there are aspects of it which are more timeless than anything. When it comes to the relationship between Christine Daaé and Phantom, she didn't judge a book by its cover (after her initial revulsion and horror, of course). Gaston Leroux's novel of the same name was written a long time ago, so it's unavoidable for this musical not to be old fashioned, no matter how much the world changes.
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| Hugh Panaro as The Phantom and Marni Raab as Christine Daaé (photo by Joan Marcus). |
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In early 2014, Theo and I saw a performance of the 25th Anniversary Tour of "The Phantom of the Opera" at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago, IL. While the Original Broadway Production was directed by Harold Prince, this production was directed by Laurence Connor. Paul Brown was the scenic designer for this production., while Maria Björnson was the scenic designer for the original production. Also gone were the falling chandelier at the act one finale and the staircase for the "Masquerade" number. Now, at the end of act one, the much smaller chandelier sways slightly, but only to make the sudden explosion of sparks at the upper left corner of the proscenium more of a surprise. "Masquerade" is now sung in a combination ballroom and hall of mirrors (that was somewhat like the Gaston Leroux book). There was also a hall of mirrors in the 2004 motion picture directed by Joel Schumacher.
What I liked about this production was how bright and vibrant the scenic design was. So many purples, golds, and burgandies. From what I remember, Maria Björnson's scenery was primarily black and gold. Both the old and new productions utilized costume designs by Maria Björnson. The cast included Cooper Grodin (Phantom), Ben Jacoby (Raoul), Julia Udine (ChristineDaaé), and Linda Balgord (Madame Giry). Cooper Grodin had just replaced Mark Campbell when the production came to Chicago, so he was the only cast member not pictured in the souvenir brochure.
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| Cooper Grodin as The Phantom and Julia Udine as Christine Daaé (photo by Matthew Murphy) |
Because of the new scenic design, some of Richard Stilgoe's libretto/book was altered. I noticed this right away during the opening scene prior to the overture. This wasn't overly noticeable. I was kind of annoyed by it, but I don't think it took too much away from the show. After performing with the tour for a little while, Julia Udine (Christine Daaé) and Linda Balgord (Madame Giry) transfered to the Broadway Production. I'm not sure who replaced them in the tour, but I do know that the tour ran until 2020.
While this production of "The Phantom of the Opera" had its flaws, two weeks were added to the Chicago Engagement due to popular demand. However, that was before the production, and the Phantom, made its premiere in the Windy City. The reviews weren't overly negative, yet they weren't completely favorable either. Zach Firmin, of Newcity Stage, pointed out that there was little to no chemistry between the Phantom and Christine in the new production, as depicted by Grodin and Udine. Yet, he said "the crashing chandelier is bigger and better than ever." Huh? Not exactly.
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| Linda Balgord as Madame Giry (photo by Matthew Murphy). |
That was an exciting period of time when I saw the 25th Anniversary productions of "Phantom" and Les Miz." It was really when I became interested in musical theatre again. Before, my interest in theatre would be on a waxing and waning basis. But, as I mentioned before, I saw so many shows during this time (2010 to 2014). I enjoyed seeing them a lot, but as I also said before, I took them for granted a lot too. I especially took the 25th Anniversary Productions for granted, which I was critical towards because they weren't "the original."
The cast of this production also included Jacquelynne Fontaine (Carlotta), Edward Staudenmayer (Monsieur André), Craig Bennett (Monsieur Firmin), Nick Cartell (Policeman), Mark Emerson (Auctioneer), Hannah Florence (Meg Giry), Michael Thomas Holmes (Monsieur Reyer), Allan Snyder (Joseph Buquet), Frank Viveros (Ubaldo Piangi), Quinto Ott (Don Attilio in "Il Muto"), and Lindsay O'Neill (Madame Firmin). There were more cast members in this production, as well as a 17-piece orchestra (the Broadway Production features a 27-member pit orchestra), I haven't the attention span to be all-inclusive.
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| Frank Viveros as Ubaldo Piangi |
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On February 22nd, 2023, I saw the 2pm matinee performance of "The Phantom of the Opera" at the Majestic Theatre in New York City.
My mom bought the ticket for me a few weeks back. I had felt a range of emotions about seeing "Phantom" again since I knew I was definitely going to see the show. Mostly I was nervous about going into the city. Also, I didn't know how the theatre vibe would be. As it turned out, the theatre vibe was no different than when I saw the Broadway Production in 2012. The theatre shook at all the right times.
My mom bought the ticket for me a few weeks back. I had felt a range of emotions about seeing "Phantom" again since I knew I was definitely going to see the show. Mostly I was nervous about going into the city. Also, I didn't know how the theatre vibe would be. As it turned out, the theatre vibe was no different than when I saw the Broadway Production in 2012. The theatre shook at all the right times.
This production of "Phantom," unlike the 25th Anniversary Tour, was directed by Harold Prince. However, he died in July of 2019 in Reykjavik, Iceland. He is still listed as director in the playbill. I thought that strange at first, then realized Maria Björnson is still listed as production designer, even though she died back in 2002. One might think a replacement production designer isn't needed, but Maria Björnson was also the costume designer. What if a hem ripped? If one does these days, a production member who gets approached by the frazzled actor is apt to say "Who do you think I am? Maria Björnson?" or "Do I look dead to you?"
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| Ben Crawford as The Phantom (photo by Matthew Murphy) |
At this performance of "The Phantom of the Opera," the cast included Ben Crawford (The Phantom of the Opera), Emilie Kouatchou (Christine Daaé), Paul Adam Schaefer (Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny), Raquel Suarez Groen (Carlotta Giudicelli), Nehal Joshi (Monsieur André), David Michael Garry (Monsieur Firmin), Maree Johnson (Madame Giry), Carlton Moe (Ubaldo Piangi), Sara Esty (Meg Giry), Carrington Vilmont (Auctioneer), Joseph Depietro (Monsieur Reyer/Hairdresser ["Il Muto"]), Ted Keegan (Jeweler ["Il Muto"]), Laird Mackintosh (Monsieur Lefévre/Firechief), Scott Mikita (Joseph Buquet/Don Atillo ["Il Muto"]), and Trista Moldovan (Wardrobe Mistress/Confidante).
The show on the 22nd of February was as great as ever. One review of the production said it was "better than ever." I'm not sure how a production that's been running since 1988 can suddenly improve upon itself... yet somehow it has. Perhaps it was the Opera Ghost. By that, I am referring to the insanely talented Ben Crawford. I have only seen one other actor play Phantom in the Broadway Production. I don't know who was "better" ... or "better than ever." Then there was Emilie Kouatchou, who played Christine. She took on the role of Christine (full-time) in January of 2023, having been the alternate performer for tbe role since October of 2021. She is the first black actress to play the role on Broadway. Since the production's closing date is April 16th, 2023, she will apparently be the only black actress to play the role. As for her performance, she was sensational. Both ber singing and acting were a stellar reinvention of the Christine Daaé character. Ben Crawford was really good too. Though half the vowel sounds he sang rhymed with "eeeeew." I don't know how to explain that any other way.
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| Emilie Kouatchou as Christine Daaé (photo by Matthew Murphy). |
Similar to seeing "Les Misérables" (my favorite musical), seeing "The Phantom of the Opera" is a stunning audience experience. At times, the orchestrations swell, a high note is held, and a song ends (or begins), resulting in enthusiastic cheering and applause following a stunned silence. When the Prologue ends, and the Overture begins, is one of those times. Another one of those times is at the end of the song "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" (beautifully sung by Emilie Kouatchou). Then, of course, there is the falling chandelier right after the Phantom's reprise of "All I Ask of You." Add to all of that the glorious set and production design, and you have "The Phantom of the Opera," and its successful run on Broadway, in the West-End, as well as record-breaking runs in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Toronto in the 1990's.
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| Paul Adam Schaefer as Raoul (photo by Matthew Murphy... I think) |
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| An ad from when "Phantom" returned to Broadway, following the pandemic shut-down, on October 22nd, 2021. |
There were a few weather forecasts of wintry weather for the Northeast on the 22nd of February, so my mom sent me off with an umbrella. Not a golf umbrella thankfully, but a portable one that fit in the small canvas bag I brought to the theatre with me. The umbrella came in handy when the show let out. It was indeed raining. But it was a gentle rainfall... one that delivers false promises of better weather tomorrow. Not to be dreary (and no pun intended), but it was raining early the next day too. If I were in a long-lived show soon to face its demise, I'd blame the weather, along with everything else, on the Opera Ghost.
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| The "Masquerade" number (photo by Matthew Murphy) |
- the Broadway Production of "Phantom" contains 150 trap doors.
- there are 24 surround speakers throughout the Majestic Theatre--the speakers help give the show its ghostly atmosphere.
- the chandelier features 6,000 beads and weighs one ton.
- "The Phantom of the Opera" won seven Tony Awards in 1988, including Best Musical, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actress.
- Each performance of "Phantom" requires the direct involvement of 125 cast, crew, orchestra members, and house personnel.
- The cast is instructed to dramatically exit the stage as per usual in the rare event that the chandelier malfunctions.
Recently I read in an article that Andrew Lloyd Webber, the composer of "The Phantom of the Opera," plans to bring the musical back to Broadway on a smaller scale. I wonder if he will bring the 25th Anniversary Touring Production to Broadway. It was definitely a smaller production. While it lacked key elements in what made the Broadway Production so iconic, it still enjoyed success while on tour. It made several return engagements in Chicago following the 2014 tour stop that Theo and I saw. I would see it again, even if it was only to criticize the show in my blog.
There are quite a few cast recordings of "The Phantom of the Opera." I have not listened to all of them. I have listened to the 1986 Original London Cast Recording, the 1989 Vienna Cast Recording, the 1990 Hamburg Cast Recording, the 1990 Canadian Cast Recording, the 1999 Mexican Cast Recording, the 2008 Polish Cast Recording (I think), and the 2011 Royal Albert Hall Concert Cast Recording. I suppose I like the 1986 Original London Cast the best--but I wish a two-disc recording (in English) had been produced after "Phantom" opened on Broadway. Quite a few lyrical changes had been made to some of the songs. I think some of those changes can be heard in the Canadian Cast Recording, if not in the 2011 Concert Cast Recording. Still, I don't know if there is an ideal cast recording in existence of "The Phantom of the Opera."
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| A view approaching the Majestic Theatre (I took this photo). |
Good day or bad, "The Phantom of the Opera" will be missed. It haunted the streets of Times Square since the era of Megamusicals. Now it is the last one left. When "Phantom" premiered on Broadway on January 26th, 1988, it shared the New York Theatre District with such stunners as "Les Misérables," "Cats," and "Starlight Express." It marched on through performance after performance during the rise and fall of "Sunset Boulevard" and "Miss Saigon." It even outlasted the short-lived revivals of those two, as well as two "Les Miz" revivals (though one was technically a return engagement. Whatever the show that takes the Phantom's place in the Majestic Theatre (or, if renamed, maybe the Hal Prince theatre?), it certainly has big shoes to fill.
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