#overobsessedphantomphan

[glassprism]

Hello! Just wondering.. what exactly is a "preview" (as in "first London Preview", or "First preview of the show in Essen")? like what's the difference between that and a regular performances and who can go to them?

A preview is a performance that comes before the opening night. According to Wikipedia, it’s a time when the crew can look for any adjustments they didn’t catch during rehearsals and change accordingly, before critics are allowed in. Ticket prices appear to be discounted during that time. As stated here, who’s allowed in the audience can vary, but might include family members of the cast, industry people, and regular audience members taking advantage of the lower ticket prices.

Regular performances are those that occur opening night and after.

[verydisquo]

Hello, I'm Brendan. Love Your blog!! How was Derrick Davis when you saw him? I am seeing the tour again in Boston with him (unless he decides to leave earlier than initially stated)

Hi Brendan :) That’s so nice of you to say, thanks dude!

Derrick was actually amazing. I mean... I was really, really blown away. I knew next to nothing about him so it was a really wonderful surprise. This is probably the 6th Phantom I’ve seen live and he is definitely somewhere on the top of the list. If we want to get overly critical, there were some acting choices I wasn’t a fan of, but other subtleties were really wonderful, too. Not to mention, the acting could be chalked up to poor directing, since overall I was only lukewarm to all this new blocking and staging.

His voice is definitely impeccable, he hit those high notes like nobody’s business. Some Phantoms are too low in range to be able to hit those notes consistently, or they just get worn out (Case in point, I saw Norm Lewis on Broadway towards the end of his run, and poor thing was so worn out. He could not even hit the MotN end note the night I saw him). But Derrick’s voice is really perfect for the role, it was a pleasure to watch/hear. :) You’ll be really impressed when you see him in Boston, I think!

Have a lovely day <3

[operafantomet]

Not a question, but something interesting I found out.. I just got a playbill from Toronto 199 with Paul Stanley as Phantom, and it has David Rogers listed as a Standby instead of an understudy

Very cool! Looks like their use of standbys came and went. The programmes usually said “Standbys and Understudies never substitute for listed players unless a specific announcement for the appearance is made at the time of the performance” - but the programmes doesn’t always list any standbys.

A programme I has from 1996, for example, has the above announcement, but no standbys whatsoever listed. They had two Phantom understudies at the time: Laird Mackintosh and Blaine Parker. Ciarán Sheehan was the principal.

[glassprism]

Merry Christmas (eve)!! Any special plans?

Thanks! I’ve got nothing for Christmas eve or Christmas day except for studying and lesson planning, but the day after, I’m going to get together with my friends and watch some movies together, probably Moana, Rogue One, Fantastic Beasts if we have time, and definitely NOT Doctor Strange.

[operafantomet]

Hey, I know Dave WIlletts was Phantom in London, but he was also Phantom in Manchester, correct? I have been told Manchester and Edinburgh, but I thought Edinburgh was Mark McKerracher..

I have hin listed as the Phantom in:

West End - Oct 1987 to Oct. 1989

West End late 1989 (taking over for Martin Smith)

West End May 1990 to summer/autumn 1991

Original UK Tour Oct. 1993 to ca. Oct. 1994 (Manchester)

In the UK Tour Mark McKerracher took over as the Phantom late in the run in Manchester, and he was also the principal in Edinburgh. FSo it’s correct Dave Willetts was not in Edinburgh.

For the 1998-2000 Millennium Tour Scott Davies was the principal Phantom for the first half, and Mike Sterling and Peter Karrie for the second half.

[operafantomet]

Hey, do you know the highest note that The Phantom sings? I would GUESS it is the "where you long to BEEE" in MOTN, but I'm not sure that note that is..

Sounds about right! I believe his highest note is “where you long to be/darkness deep as hell”, and it should be a high A flat.

(but I’m not much of a vocal score reader, so correct me if I’m wrong!)

[operafantomet]

I saw Brad Little in 2003 (Orlando), and thought he was okay.. but I see you and lots of other people dislike him, especially in the World Tour. Why is that? LOL

(continued) “2013* The video says ‘2013 orlando" but that isnt right I guess.. it looks like the U.S. Tour though”

So… show me a place I’ve written I dislike him, especially in the World Tour? I think you must have me mixed up with someone else? Cause what I have written about him includes:

“I was particuarly impressed with Brad Little as the Phantom. To be frank, maybe not so much voice wise as acting wise. But he seemed to live and breathe the role.“ ( X )

“Seeing “Phantom of the Opera” World Tour at Zorlu Center PSM in Istanbul. GREAT cast. GREAT production. GREAT venue” ( X )

“It’s some kind of magic!!! Brad Little and his cloak twirl of doom” ( X )

“I agree that his voice is starting to show some obvious signs of “wear and tear”. He doesn’t sing the score with ease anymore, and his falsetto is long gone. BUUUUT I was completely blown away by his acting, he really compensated there. Amazing portrayal, lots of nuances, and so much heart and soul. So I’m divided in whether I want him to sign out or not. He was such a treat on stage, but I can see why people might feel underwhelmed if they’re into it for the money notes (or only listens to audios)” ( X )

I guess the last one probably answers your question :)

[glassprism]

Do you ever collect playbills or brochures or anything like that, or just audios?

Just audios. I’m not that interested in playbills or brochures, apart from the pretty pictures and the cast lists.

Plus, while there are other ways to get them (trade them, be in giveaways, buy them), it seems easiest to get them if you actually go to a show, and seeing as how I’ve yet to see anything live, well...