Rose-Margaritas

20 | Margaret | She/Her/They/Them | artist & fic writer | POTO Fan | 🇹🇼🇺🇸 | COMMISSION: WAITLIST

[rose-margaritas]

One and a half years worth of work, one failed attempt at this a year prior, a semester abroad , 150+ frames, and here we are... I hope you love this passion project as much as I loved making it. Think of this as my love letter to the phandom 🫶

In order of appearance:

Dickens Novels and Double-Chocolate Muffins by @brendadaaedestler

Sympathy for the Devil by @veroniqueclaire

Pilgrim Soul by @intothemertensverse

Voltige by @emotionalmotionsicknessxx

Volée by @veroniqueclaire

Bartender AU by @phantom-margaritas (Shameless self promotion)

Teach Me To Live by @donttouchthefigs

Red Death Riding by @wheel-of-fish

Ghost on the Roof by @klausscrimshaw

Sticky Notes and Serendipity by @brendadaaedestler and @nerdywriter36

Unsung by @wheel-of-fish

Verdun by @keepcalmandbrewtea

[rose-margaritas]

No better way to honor one the greatest gothic story ever told than with a collaboration spanning so many of its iconic versions! (Phantom of the Opera for life!!!)

For this collab, each of us chose one member of the iconic trio from a different adaptation. For Raoul, @batslikedmytheatre drew Norman Kerry from the 1925 silent film. For Christine, @brendadaaedestler drew Riley Noland, one of the many amazing women who play Christine at Masquerade NYC. And for Phantom, I drew David Young Fernandez from the current North American Tour. 🎭

I need to do this kind of art collab more often… 🤭

[rose-margaritas]

‼️Commission Update‼️

Due to my July schedule being much busier than usual, turnaround times will be longer than the typical 2–3 weeks. As a thank you for your patience, all July commissions are 20% off!

There will be fewer slots available, so it's first come, first served. Tap the link below and select a July slot to claim the discount 💕

Fill out the form here!

[rose-margaritas]

《Acceptance》

Every time I think back to seeing Clay as Phantom two months ago, or hear someone share a story about what they witnessed when they saw him perform, another idea finds its way into my head. The moment that inspired this piece was the single teardrop falling from Clay's face to the floor as he lifted his head into the light at the very end of Final Lair. It's such a small moment, but somehow it captures everything that made his Phantom so unforgettable— the heartbreak, the vulnerability, the longing, and the humanity.

I feel incredibly lucky to have experienced Pulse 5 with some of my best phandom friends at my very first Masquerade. Clay's Final Lair is one of those performances that stays with you long after the curtain falls. Their portrayal has a way of twisting your heart and making you feel every emotion right alongside them. So, this piece is dedicated to Clay Singer on their final day with Masquerade (for now). Come back to the Op Pop soon!!

[rose-margaritas]

Taipei, Taiwan I International Tour (5/14/2026) Review

The main trio I saw was Harry Mills, Caitlin Finnie, and Rory McCollum

One of the things I noticed right away was that the mics for the ballet corps and ensemble are dialed up, so you can really hear them at parts of the show. In my opinion, this really added another dimension to the show and I loved it :D

I love how all the props really filled the stage, I usually find a lot of productions around the world to sometimes have really sparse stages, not this one!!

Stagehands playing cards in the elephant!!

Raquel!Carlotta going “No…” in a sarcastic tone when Lefèvre announces his retirement

Instead of saying “Good luck. If you need me, I shall be in Frankfurt!” Lefèvre says “I shall be in Hualien (another county in Taiwan)!” Funnily enough, Hualien is a popular retirement location in Taiwan

Caitlin!Christine sitting very daintily on her knees in the corner 💕

In love with Caitlin’s voice, very Disney princess coded

And similarly, Rory!Raoul is Disney prince coded, very strong Prince Phillip vibes and super soft voice <3

Marni makes for a much gentler Mme. Giry in comparison to the other actresses I’ve seen, gentler in her way of talking to the girls but definitely still has that stern teacher aura lol

Harry is such a hands Phantom, SO MUCH HANDS in title song, literal dream come true

Caitlin looks backwards multiple times and seems nervous going down to the lair, but Harry always leads her back to him. He’s also constantly checking with his lantern for her safety <3

A perfect 10/10 cape swoosh + insane hands during self caress— Harry is there anything you can’t do?!

Mutual caresses during MOTN… obsessed

Multiple pen flourishes from Harry!Phantom when he’s writing at the organ during STYDI

The unmasking sequence was kinda funny, cuz Christine reached out once, missed, then looked at the score like “oooh, whatcha writing?”, then locked back in and took the mask off

I think Harry might’ve accidentally said Delilah twice. Instead of saying “prying Pandora” he said “prying Delilah.” A lil mistake, not much to it, I just remember it lol

Harry fell down to his knees HARD, the crawling afterwards made it seem like the man genuinely broke his kneecaps 😭

Yes, Harry is more crawling than slithering, struggling to even crawl actually (I love) :)

Caitlin basically backing away the whole time

During punjab lasso scene, Harry!Phantom has Caitlin!Christine completely engulfed in his cape with his arm around her, when the ballet corps screamed upon seeing them, he basically grabs her hand and makes a run for it lol

A lot of interactions between Rory!Raoul and big+small Giry in the managers’ office. Meg with a lingering hand on Raoul’s arm, a conversation between Raoul and Mme. Giry.

Rory!Raoul is very much a realist in my interpretation. He took all the notes and began a detailed scan of the handwriting on all of them, then went to Mme. Giry to double check with her. He’s already done with this Phantom bullshit lol

Amazing croaking from Raquel!Carlotta

Caitlin is adorable in Serafimo’s outfit <3

I felt like I was watching a romance movie sequence during AIAOY, these two are so lovey dovey throughout! Caught myself smiling during it

And then immediately we get sad lil meow meow hours. Harry you can’t do this to me!! The way he lowered his head and covered his ears, he wanted OUT

Harry is now officially the king of maniacal laughter, cuz WOAH he really did sound deranged when he laughed as phantom

Rory!Raoul basically wrapping his arms around Caitlin!Christine’s waist and lifting + spinning her out of the way of the chandelier

Again, a beautiful and filled out stage for Masquerade

No laughter from the crowd for the skeleton outfit reveal 😔

More lovey-doveyness from Raoul and Christine

The partygoers whispering “Christine!” in warning/worried tones when Christine is walking towards the Phantom

Back in the Managers’ office, while everyone is freaking out, Rory!Raoul is just tired of everything lol. He’s literally looking up at the ceiling, probably wondering if he could just get out of here and simply get married with Christine or smth

Caitlin seems to give off more of a terrified and tired Christine, less fierce than the other Christines I’ve seen

I love the one chorus member in the rehearsal, he literally started laughing before Reyer even gave his corrections for Piangi, then immediately laughed again after Piangi’s failed attempt

Beautiful, absolutely beautiful Wishing from Caitlin, her range is simply incredible

His pants legitimately looked painted on during the graveyard scene, whoever did the costume fittings THANK YOU SO MUCH 🤤

No fireballs here in Taipei due to strict theatre rules, so it genuinely just looked like the phantom is throwing tear gas at them 😭

Love that Harry maintained Thabiso!Piangi’s accent for a good while before slowly going back into his own voice. His vocal control is insane

So much trembling hands from Harry, this man is so overwhelmed hearing Christine sing Don Juan I think he came multiple times under the cloak

Caitlin really makes for a seductive Aminta

The blocking for Raoul and Christine telling the police and managers to stand down looked out of place to me here, not sure why

While most phantom actors say the second “why” louder than the first, Harry whispered it instead, it kind of gave me the chills

Harry!Phantom is fully deranged in this Final Lair, and it matches well with Caitlin!Christine who just looks so tired

Harry slammed barb down to the floor hard, poor barb

Rory wasn’t wetted down or even misted down for Final Lair, I want to see him sopping wet c’mon!!

Harry is sprawled out in his throne when Caitlin just crumbles to her knees with “I gave my mind blindly”

This is immediately followed by him whispering “You. Try. My. Patience.” in an almost threatening way.

No airplane hands during the kiss, they were more bent at Caitlin’s waist and hovering, like he’s scared to touch her

During the ring return, he straightened up like he thought he still had a chance, only for him to pause when she holds the ring out to him

Omg the way his hands engulfed her hand

Pressed his lips to the ring in his lips and whispering “I love you, Christine…” before falling to his knees and grabbing the veil

Even more “I love you”s

He straight up ignored the two rowing away, so caught up in his own sorrow… someone just kill me

Overall, I think Harry’s acting choices for Phantom is very similar to James Gant’s for the majority of the show, and I loved it cuz I loved James Gant’s phantom very much 🫦

Harry really shines in Don Juan and Final Lair

This performance felt more R/C to me, Caitlin seems to see Harry’s phantom more as a protector/parental figure daddy, and there was a lot more chemistry between Caitlin and Rory. One of the few shows where I was able to easily point out which pairing they leaned toward.

[paper-faces]

"The Final Bow" commissioned from THE AMAZING @rose-margaritas

A bunch of friends and I saw Clay Singer/Riley Noland/Francisco Javier Gonzalez's Masquerade pulse together and were collectively traumatized by this exact moment. This is Clay!Erik looking over his shoulder at me, @ravens-repine, and @poorerik during Final Lair. A sniveling, sweating, sobbing mess of a man. With his world falling apart around him. This brief moment seemed small at the time compared to the grand tragedy unfolding before us. But the grief and terror of this one moment will haunt me for the rest of my days.

Eventually I just said "fuck it" and commissioned Margaret, who I've wanted to commission for a while now, and they were (and still are) in a Masquerade art renaissance. So the stars aligned perfectly. Margaret's art is amazing. She is amazing. So polite and patient despite me being like the most insane individual. They answered all my questions no matter how stupid. Took all my requests seriously so as to ensure I got exactly what I wanted. Made suggestions based off her own expertise, especially in terms of composition and lighting. Was very open about price and other logistics ahead of time so I always knew exactly what was going on.

11/10 please commission this AMAZINGLY talented, visionary, kind, passionate individual because you will receive a life changing piece like this one that you will cherish forever.

[rose-margaritas]

Hide your face so the world will never find you…?

The final lair in Masquerade was the kind of heartbreak that lingers— I probably would’ve cried if my contacts hadn’t completely dried out my eyes 🥲 The moment young Erik stepped into the scene caught me off guard, but it was the Phantom looking at his younger self that really stayed with me, and I knew right then I had to draw it. Masquerade is a masterpiece, and even though it ends in heartbreak every time I will always feel the urge to go back to see it again.

[rose-margaritas]

More Masquerade NYC inspired work! I loved the carnival scene… imagine the Phantom trapped in a mirror maze, each reflection twisting into one of his deepest fears... maybe even with Right Round by Flo Rida echoing faintly in the background… 🎶

[carlottagiudicellivevo]

Okay, I have one bonus job I’m waiting to start training for that will already financially make up for the hours slashed at my main job, plus an interview for a third that will fit in around both of those on Friday morning (and last night I learned the dream job I applied to a couple of months ago hasn’t even had a chance to start going through resumes yet, so that’s still a possibility for the future).

My landlords dropped it on me that I need to pay an extra month’s rent as a U&O fee on Friday (4/10/26); I’ve figured out how to lock down the majority of the money, but I’m running about $700 short. I’m in the home stretch for the big problem here, but if there’s any way anybody can help, this should be the last time this comes up, because I think I’m at least finally getting back into the livable wage zone 💜

[carlottagiudicellivevo]

down to $400 to go 💜💜💜 thank you!!

[rubyymd]

Look at your face in the mirror…?

[wheel-of-fish]

no one has been normal about this today (x)

[brendadaaedestler]

🎭 Masquerade Notes: 3/28/26 2pm Matinee 🎭

Okay guys, I saw Masquerade for the first time, and I think this may have been one of the best experiences of my life! We saw Clay Singer, Riley Noland, and Francisco Javier González as the Phantom, Christine, and Raoul respectively. I was also super thrilled that we got Jeremy Stolle as our Firmin!

I tried to keep everything as organized as possible. Some are interactions I had, some are comments about acting choices that were made. All my notes and some pictures are under the cut! I also have a full audio if anyone is interested.

Pre-Masquerade Dance Lesson

Giry stood next to me while the violinist was playing.

Giry praised my dancing.

Masquerade

Got a wave from Jeremy (Firmin).

My friend Allie got to dance with Matthew (André).

Clay (Phantom) passed by our group when he entered the scene.

Hannibal

When Jeremy first came out, I locked eyes with him, and I think I recall that he smiled at me.

Jeremy!Firmin was comically afraid of Carlotta.

Riley (Christine) gently grabbed my hands and asked me if I was a soprano. When I confirmed, she responded, “Good, we may need you,” insinuating that I may be needed to replace Carlotta.

Sean (Piangi) came right up to our group and requested that we all yell “Bravo!” whenever we heard his name.

Sean!Piangi told me I looked beautiful, and I think he also complimented my mask.

I was pulled out of the crowd to play the piano for Carlotta’s rehearsal.

As Riley!Christine sang “Think of Me”, Jeremy!Firmin walked up behind me and @nerdywriter36 to watch while making conversation with Matthew!André. I commented, “She sounds beautiful.” Jeremy!Firmin did not yet seem totally convinced.

Little Lotte/The Mirror

Frankie (Raoul) and Riley!Christine were very physically attracted to each other.

I watched Clay!Phantom stalk through the shadows to his platform almost the whole time. I waved to him.

Clay’s voice was booming when he came in with his very mocking “Insolent boy!” for The Mirror.

The Phantom of the Opera

The boat came out right as I came down the escalator, and Clay!Phantom looked at me.

Clay was sooo hot.

I loved the choreography once the boat reached the middle of the seating area.

Clay!Phantom was very locked in on Riley!Christine as she was singing.

Music of the Night

Clay!Phantom slowly walked through the crowd and placed his hand on my shoulder as he passed. I placed my hand on top of his and was freaking out inside.

Clay was very Hand.

Riley!Christine laid down on the stone slab while Clay stood over her, and they were both very into it.

Clay barely had to exert effort to lift Riley into his arms. Also, BACK.

Walk Through Erik’s Workshop

Group split into two after MotN. We followed Tia!Giry, other group followed Clay and Riley.

Tia!Giry told the group (while looking at me) to “Keep your hand at the level of your eyes.”

As we walked through the workshop, Tia!Giry told me how Erik had built all of the things in the room, and I commented, “He must be a genius.” She smiled and nodded in agreement. She then commented that the Phantom preferred work alone in solitude, and I said, “Sometimes that’s the best.”

Mirror Bride + Groom Automatons

Kevin (Mirror Groom) followed me into the room. I turned around and saw him behind me and smiled at him.

I absolutely loved the choreography for the bride and groom dance. Kevin!Groom was so good with dancing like an automaton.

I wish I knew who our Mirror Bride was, because she was similarly so great with the dancing.

Box Five

Tia!Giry played with the dolls as the note was read.

Clay!Phantom came in afterward and sat in the chair to deliver a little monologue. He led a woman by the hand out of the room.

Bed Scene

@rose-margaritas and I sat directly in front of the bed.

After Riley!Christine opened the note, she handed it right to me.

The hands through the bed were such a cool way to visualize her dreaming about him touching her.

Clay’s hands were practically the size of Riley’s waist.

Clay!Phantom looked like he was about to start kissing Riley!Christine’s neck when he poked his head through the back of the bed.

Stranger Than You Dreamt It

Riley!Christine was helping people up onto the platform.

Clay!Phantom leaned into Riley!Christine’s hand when she initially went to touch his mask.

Clay!Phantom dropped himself down on top of Riley!Christine after the unmasking, bracing himself on his hands on either side of her head. HOT.

Clay!Phantom turned and collapsed at my feet.

Clay!Phantom looked around at everyone in the room without his mask on, terrified and whole-body shaking. His eyes lingered on me, and I felt like I should somehow reach out and help him or console him but didn’t know how.

Circus Scene

Exiting one of the transition rooms to the circus, a freaky circus performer was by the doorway. She touched @rose-margaritas’s shoulder, who said her hand was “so cold.”

This same circus performer chased Clay!Phantom up the escalator. Clay!Phantom was pushing people out of his to get away from the performer. I started to move out of the way, having seen him coming. He pushed me out of the way and was running, so I gave him a gentle push to help him get away. (I almost missed the top of the escalator because of this, so I had a laugh about “almost getting killed by Clay Singer.”)

Getting into the maze of mirrors, I heard the voice of the barker (?) say “I’m like a father to the boy” in reference to young Erik.

Immediately when arriving in the circus scene, I went over to young Erik’s cage. A worker was urging people to “feed the freak” (mentioned Erik by name) with a bowl of popcorn and said that Erik hadn’t been fed in three days.

I gave Kevin (young Erik) the popcorn, which he immediately took. I then sat down in front of the cage beside the girls, and he began to show off his toy monkey and shoved it through the bars for us to see and touch. At some point before or after this, he had reached up to grab the bowl of popcorn from the top of the cage, but I don’t remember if that was before or after he showed off the monkey.

It was after this that his keeper took away the bowl of popcorn and insulted him (something to the effect of “Can’t have him making friends”). I told her to leave him alone, and once she walked away, I asked Kevin!Erik if he was okay. He reacted to my question, but I can’t remember how.

Another audience member approached then and gave the bowl of popcorn back to Erik. He took it and was using some of the popcorn to pretend to feed the monkey the popcorn.

Kevin!Erik gave @nerdywriter36 the note from his mom. I think he pulled it from his pocket (?) and un-crumpled it as he extended it to her.

He then gave string bracelets to @rose-margaritas, then my other friend, then me. He seemed to hesitate before giving it to me, almost as if silently asking if I wanted one. Once I figured this out, I extended my wrist so that he could tie it on.

Kevin!Erik’s keeper returned to demand back the bowl of popcorn and asked who gave it back to him. She said to my group something like not to get too close to him because “he’s highly contagious.”

After this, Kevin!Erik curled up against the bars right by where I was sitting. This seemed like an intentional move to be closer to me, though whether for protection or comfort I didn’t know, so I moved even closer to the bars. I set my hand on his shoulder, just sort of rubbing it a little with my thumb as @nerdywriter36 placed her hand on his knee and did the same.

After a minute, I asked Kevin!Erik if he wanted a hand to hold. He looked at me, so I offered my open hand through the bars, and he immediately took it and held it.

At some point either before or after, he started to take pieces of discarded popcorn from the floor of the cage and line them up on one of the bars. There was something both adorably childlike and really heartbreaking about this.

I sat with him holding his hand for probably five minutes or so, up until his keeper returned with another circus worker to take him away, because they told us to move and threw a tarp over the cage.

After moving aside, I tried lifting the tarp so that he could see (I think on some level, I wanted him to know that I was still there? Idk, moving it was just sort of instinct), but I was told not to touch the cage. I wasn’t sure if this was a legitimate instruction or an in-character thing, but I chose to listen in case it was actual instruction.

Kevin!Erik was reaching out for people’s legs for help as he was wheeled away.

As we were watching young Erik and the ringmaster, Clay!Phantom came up behind my friends and was watching in some sort of PTSD-induced horror. Once he seemed well and truly on the verge of a panic attack, he scrambled out of the room like he physically couldn’t handle reliving a second more.

Learn to Be Lonely

Kevin!Erik kept flinching/pulling away as Tia!Giry tried to clean him up. This exchange and her gentle persistence in this task really illustrated well her trying to heal his trauma and show him motherly affection, as well as showing him that not all touch is violent.

Kevin!Erik hugged Tia!Giry toward the end of the scene.

Kevin!Erik smacks his face against the mirror, causing his mask to break in half, resulting in the half mask.

Kevin!Erik and Clay!Phantom get a really sweet hug here after Clay!Phantom sings to his younger self, “Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar…” followed by “This face which earned a mother’s fear and loathing…”

The lights go out after the hug and Kevin!Erik slips away.

After this, Francesca!Meg and Riley!Christine appeared performing the “Where in the world have you been hiding?” dialogue, urging her to come for Il Muto, while Clay!Phantom hid behind the piano.

The way Clay’s voice dropped on “They will learn” after his little monologue was so hot.

Rafters Scene

Clay has so much agility in this scene. He was climbing things and swinging over the audience, and it was incredible to watch.

Clay swung over and landed right in front of Emily and I, towering over us and looking down at us for a moment.

Clay!Phantom looked out over the audience before sneaking up on Buquet. I made a throat cutting gesture, trying to signal for him to go for the stagehand, but I wasn’t totally certain if Clay saw me or not.

All I Ask of You/Reprise

We had the indoor version of this scene, as it was cold and windy.

Riley!Christine and Frankie!Raoul were out on the roof while Clay!Phantom was inside the opera with us, separated by a large window. Riley!Christine and Clay!Phantom were reaching toward each other through the window from their respective places, both very much yearning.

Clay!Phantom was devastated and so locked in on Riley!Christine.

When Frankie!Raoul and Riley!Christine moved into the opera, Clay!Phantom moved out onto the roof, and he watched the rest of the scene while pressed against the glass and mouthing the words along with Riley!Christine as she sang. I will be sending him my therapy bills.

Clay had MUCH Wingspan™️ during the Reprise.

Clay also really popped off with his vocals in the Reprise.

Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again/Wandering Child

Accidentally ended up under the balcony for this scene, because I registered too late what scene it was and what was going on.

Riley’s voice was sooo beautiful for Wishing.

It took me way too long to realize that in the middle of the room was Gustave Daaé’s tomb. I couldn’t tell whether that was weird or cool.

The shadow work on the wall was cool. Loved seeing Clay!Phantom cup Riley!Christine’s chin when she joined him on the balcony.

The Don Juan score catching fire was super cool.

Walking Through to the Opera

They handed us Don Juan tickets on the way down.

After we got our tickets, Sean!Piangi was on the second landing, and when he saw me coming, he said, “Ah, it’s my favorite mask of the day! It’s so wonderful!” and he cupped my face in his hands. He then remarked, “It’s like a tattoo on her face!” to @nerdywriter36.

Dressing Room Scenes

We were the first dressing room in the rotation, I’m pretty sure.

Riley!Christine was already in the room when we got there and was sitting at the piano.

I got to sit at the seat right beside the piano (on Riley’s right hand side) and Riley!Christine gave me a smile.

After Riley!Christine practiced her “no thoughts within her head…” lines, I clapped quietly and told her she sounded beautiful. She smiled in response.

Frankie!Raoul was very forceful with Riley!Christine. She really did not want to perform as Aminta, and he was absolutely not giving her any semblance of a choice. While his voice was still soft, it was very “you are going to do this and you don’t get a say” energy. I was trying to look for an opportunity to tell Christine that she didn’t have to listen to Raoul, but I sadly didn’t get the opportunity.

After this was the scene with Piangi and Carlotta.

“You can keep this poo poo caca letter.” - Satomi!Carlotta as she handed the Phantom’s note to an audience member.

When Sean!Piangi said his name during his conversation with Satomi!Carlotta, I said, “Bravo!” remembering his little hype squad moment from Hannibal. He stopped his lines and went, “Grazie mille,” to me before he continued on with what he was saying.

Satomi!Carlotta sat on the lap of the guy to my lap and kissed his bald head. This was a hilarious interaction to view from all of six inches from Satomi’s back.

When Clay!Phantom exchanged the throat spray, he looked at my half of the room and put his fingers to his lips before he disappeared back into the wardrobe.

I think I may have started to reach out to help Sean!Piangi when Clay!Phantom Chloroformed him and dragged him into the wardrobe.

The manager scene was last, and Matthew!André’s nervous energy was so funny and was very reminiscent of Nehal Joshi.

Jeremy!Firmin’s dry demeanor was so entertaining to watch.

Jeremy!Firmin sat down on the piano bench while fanning himself with Carlotta’s fan. He leaned over to me to tell me that André “cries a lot” to which I replied, “I would imagine.”

Jeremy!Piangi immediately followed this up with remarking, “Oh, Carlotta got him,” in a very amused voice, referring to the guy sitting beside me. This felt very much more like Jeremy noticing and being really amused by it than Firmin noticing and commenting on it, and I really loved that interaction.

Point of No Return

Ended up front row on the right side of the room.

Kody!Matador was excellent with his dancing in Don Juan. Loved his strength and technique. That part honestly could have gone on way longer, because I was having such a fun time watching him.

Clay’s costume in this scene made him seem even taller somehow. Something about it just made me truly realize in that moment how tall he is.

Riley’s “No going back now, our passion play has now at last begun” sounded very similar in delivery to Kelly Mathieson, and it really itched my brain.

I really loved how the choreography for this scene mirrored the little automaton dance from the Mirror Bride and Groom scene.

I was sat in the middle of the front row, and when Clay got to the “the bridge is crossed, so stand and watch it burn” line, he was standing over me making direct eye contact. I think my brain shut off a little at this moment, because I was so locked into holding his eye contact. I’m very sure I started grinning at him, and I may have started giggling.

LOVE how they did the costume change out of their Don Juan outfits and into his suit and her wedding dress. Also, Clay Singer’s shoulder action while putting on the suit jacket and the little jacket adjustment he did are really living rent free in my brain.

Clay’s vibrato was especially gorgeous during the proposal.

When the chandelier began to shake, we were quickly ushered out of our seats and ran behind them. Something about that moment was really immersive, and I can’t even explain why.

Clay!Phantom’s chandelier crash suicide attempt was so heartbreaking. What I truly wasn’t prepared for, though, was for Riley!Christine to football tackle him out of the way to save him, and then for him to then pull her out of the way. Tthey were mutually protecting each other from harm, and it was such a tender yet heartbreaking moment.

Final Lair

Clay!Phantom was so sad and hurt that Riley!Christine betrayed him by unmasking him.

It wasn’t until this scene that I realized just how much poor Clay was sweating. I felt so bad for him, but I was also marveling at how much work he was putting into this show as a whole. Hats off to this king.

Clay!Phantom practically shoved the right side of his face into Riley!Christine’s face during the “an eternity of this before your eyes” line, rather than looking her in the face. I thought this was such an interesting choice.

Clay was sprawled on the floor of that platform and partially down the steps, and from my angle, I really noticed his hip flexibility. It was this combined with the placement of his feet that made me wonder if maybe he’s a dancer.

Clay!Phantom was so beautifully mocking of Frankie!Raoul when he appeared.

I really loved Clay’s overall intensity in this scene.

Frankie!Raoul did such a wonderful job with his acting when he was fighting against the ropes to reach for Christine.

There was something inexplicably hot about the way Clay!Phantom picked up Riley!Christine and carried her back to the platform.

“This is the point of no return!” really itched my brain.

Riley!Christine sounded like she was about to cry on the “the tears I might have shed…” line, but she shifted so well into rage as she got to “grow cold and turn to tears of hate.”

I cannot remember if it was that line or another point at which Riley!Christine raised her voice that Clay!Phantom flinched away in response to the raised volume.

On the “we had such hopes…” line, Riley!Christine took her veil and whipped Clay!Phantom in the chest with the end of it. He flinched away as if he expected it to hit his face.

Clay!Phantom used one of the roses from the bouquet Riley!Christine had thrown to threaten Frankie!Raoul.

Riley!Christine really went for her kiss with Clay!Phantom. She was totally in love with him and ready to show him that he could be loved.

Clay!Phantom absolutely just MELTED into that second kiss. I don’t think he stopped melting until they mutually pulled away.

Clay!Phantom was so full of self-loathing as he told Riley!Christine and Frankie!Raoul to go.

Riley!Christine did NOT want to leave. After freeing Frankie!Raoul, she tried to run back to Clay!Phantom, but Frankie!Raoul pulled her away with his arms locked around her waist, and she fought against him until they disappeared from the room.

Clay!Phantom hugged Riley!Christine so tight when she returned, and the look on his face after she disappeared and he realized that she wasn’t actually there was heartbreaking.

Clay held that final note for so long.

I know it’s blocking, but I really loved how after the big unmasking, Clay lingered and made eye contact with every person in that audience.

The lights went out after this, and Clay!Phantom disappeared.

[rose-margaritas]

For some visuals, this is us during the bed scene (I’m holding hands with @brendadaaedestler while @nerdywriter36 is in the cuck chair right next to the bed)

[rose-margaritas]

I finally saw Masquerade in NYC last week (in addition to meeting a bunch of phandom people irl), and I can’t express how much I love Clay Singer and Riley Noland’s performance. The bed scene was especially something else, so much so that I had to draw it or else it would’ve haunted me until my next trip back. And honestly, how am I supposed to be normal until then?!

All of this is to say: people need to go see Pulse 5. I personally already can’t wait to go back.

[marumotto]

Putting that man in all the situations 💖

[emotionalmotionsicknessxx]

Perennial reminder that phandom isn’t about money and “content,” but the ten weird friends you made along the way and imagining Erik phantomopera in The Situations

[nerdywriter36]

lost my fight with fate

AO3

So this idea came to me a couple of months ago when I learned that Jordan Lee Gilbert on the US Tour, in her infinite wisdom and determination to kill us, REACHED for the Phantom (David Young Fernandez at the time) as she and Raoul are leaving the lair in the boat. Diabolical. Brutal. BRILLIANT.

Therefore, this oneshot was born! It's a little bit of a hurty one, apologies, but I hope you all enjoy!! I'm very happy to finally have another piece out for everyone to read :)

ALSO @rose-margaritas and I collaborated on this and she did some STUNNING art, so go check that out and shower her with love because omg it is unbelievably beautiful. Link here!

[rose-margaritas]

Imagine if Christine reached for the Phantom from the boat after the Final Lair?

Except, you don’t have to imagine, because Jordan Lee Gilbert, our lovely Christine from the US tour, inspires this piece! When I learned that Jordan made the acting choice of reaching for the Phantom when she was opposite David Young Fernandez, this idea came to mind almost immediately. I genuinely can’t wait for summer 2027 to come any sooner, because I need to see them in Boston NOW!!

In addition, this piece was also done in collaboration with my lovely friend @nerdywriter36, who wrote such a devastating piece that I nearly cried myself to sleep. It’s called lost my fight with fate, and I need you all to drop everything you’re doing right now and GO READ IT.

Anyway, enjoy this double emotional damage for the two of us!🫰