"Last night was incredible. It was so much fun to play opposite Betsy Morgan. I've not laughed this much in a long time. It's been a while since we've done these roles together. It gave me life. Thank you Kyle for the laughs and Thank you Eryn for you kindness..Come see us tonight at the Opera populaire, Masquerade NYC" via Phumzile Sojola's ig 8/12/26
Back dancinā in the club š August 11-23 for another limited engagement - 1:15 and 7:15 pm performancesĀ @masqueradenycĀ š„ captured byĀ @georgia_a_mendes - Via Austin Colby's Ig 8/9/26
Yes, again! My Tuesday night tickets were lottery loser tickets, and I already had tickets for aug. 8th purchased. So a rare twice in one week for me.
Ryan Vona, Claire Leyden, & Dan Hoy. Barring seeing Claire as Meg back in June, all three were new to me!
I was worried I was seeing the two shows too close together, but I needn't have worried. I wasn't the least bit bored!
The audience this time around seemed a little worse than usual. A lot of loud chatter in the room while the violinist played, and a lot of phone checking in that room. Overall more chatter than usual throughout. At one point the Phantom was singing at someone but she was chatting to her friend. I saw one girl run several times. The first time I thought she was trying to catch up with someone, but the second time she was just running to an empty spot. And so. many. couples. who could not maneuver while holdings hands very well. Anyway, on to the good, which was everything else.
I was at the back of the room during Madame Giry's toast and dance, but she seemed chattier than usual with those up front, before she took to the stage.
I got to dance with Christine and later Carlotta during Masquerade! I've never been invited to dance before. Fun! Love the costumes here as usual.
My first intro to Ryan's Phantom. I thought he stressed words differently than many of the other phantoms? Stressed them, or enunciated them differently. I liked it!
I was towards the side back during Think of Me, so I didn't have a great view. Someone threw their rose right at Claire's chest, but she played it off well.
Claire's Christine seemed so entranced by the Phantom here! In general, I really liked how Christine seemed so surprised by her own talents. Both here, in PotO, MotN, and AIAOY.
Nothing much to add about the title song and MotN, but they were great! I'm used to such tall Phantoms, I quite like seeing a short one. Ryan's Phantom whispered into Christine's ear quite a lot, which would be harder with a taller Phantom. Loved how quiet he could get, and how loud.
Got my favorite order of events - automaton room, il muto mini setup, and bedroom. I think they're still working on the blocking of this new automaton staging. It's not even a week old, to be fair! There seems to be some trouble moving the mannequin in and out of the stand she's on.
STYDI - I don't think I've seen an angrier Phantom here! I jumped when his chair fell backwards.
Also Christine moved in for a kiss here!!! And then she removed the mask. I think Kaley was much more mischievous here - she stood behind him and removed the mask while grinning. Claire's Christine was going in for a kiss when she removed the mask. My jaw dropped. Loved this choice.
During the carnival I was near the stage, so I didn't see any particular interactions barring the performers. I saw Madame Giry signal to the barker at one point, but I think this must have been an out of character thing?
Skipping ahead to AIAOY (indoor track!). Great singing from Raoul. Christine seemed caught up in his fervor but otherwise she was always, always more drawn towards the Phantom. Great performance from Ryan in this scene. He sat down and laughed bitterly in between singing. Probably the closest I've gotten to shedding a tear during this show. He felt so small and human.
Christine and Raoul couldn't seem more at odds than in the crypt. Beautiful Wishing from Claire. Love the shadow work along the wall during Wandering Child. Loved how Claire's Christine was touching the wall where the Phantom's shadow was. Even after he had moved, she was still chasing his shadow.
Wishing.. wishing that the "too long you've wandered in winter..." line was included! I thought I remembered it when I saw the show in the fall, but maybe I was misremembering.
I was placed in the third dressing room again, hooray!
I passed by Andre in the hallway and he called me "Zebra girl" (I was wearing a striped dress). He called me zebra girl two or three times further in the dressing room. When we were leaving the room, he called me over to shake Piangi's (dead) hand. I obliged!
Loved all the various scenes in the dressing room. Again, Christine and Raoul just seemed annoyed at each other. I enjoyed his acting, and his singing, but I was just thinking, "leave him, Christine!". (I think the best Raoul and Christine compatibility I've seen at Masquerade so far were Riley and Frankie).
I was placed very near where Raoul bursts into the Final Lair. The Rerik (Raoul/Erik) moments were OFF the CHARTS. I've been in that general area of the room three times now, and I have never seen the Rerik so blatant. Raoul had far more chemistry with the Phantom than he did with Christine. I thought and hoped they were about to kiss.
Loved the little peekaboo the Phantom did with Raoul. I laughed out loud.
Really really great kiss between Christine and the Phantom. They were both so into it. Neither really wanted to let the other go. With Derrick's Phantom, I thought his Phantom was ultimately overwhelmed by Christine's physical affection (I liked this choice too! This would be me if I was the Phantom, haha), whereas Ryan's Phantom was very into it. Christine really had to be dragged away.
Final thoughts: great, as always! Where Derrick and Kaley feel more like classic Broadway Phantom and Christine (love this too!), Claire and Ryan felt like they were going for a slightly new interpretation. They could have run off into the sunset together! And brought Raoul along too.
"Youāll typically find us laughing about something in between scenes. š Just goofinā on my last 5 show weekend at @masqueradenyc with my pal, @sirblackalot ! #masqueradenyc #phantomoftheopera #teamchristine #teamphantom" From Eryn Lecroy's Ig 8/9/26
"finally completed understudy bingo! I have officially debuted in all the tracks I cover at masquerade: Carlotta, Madame Giry and Christine. Following in the foot steps of my brilliant sistersĀ @claireley,Ā @tiakaraplisĀ and Betsy Morgan who have taught me how to understudy these roles. And soon to come the beautifulĀ @audreyloganofficial" via Georgia Medes ig April 13, 2026
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