Has anyone here seen the stage version or the movie?


Don Cardi

I saw the movie. It was an average musical, nothing amazing. There were better films of that year.

Forget Joel Schumacher's meh-movie of it. Instead, check out Brian DePalma's wacky PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE, which is OPERA but set in a glam rock theater. Wacky but creative 70's work.

Of course the stage version is now the longest-running play in Broadway history. Funny story, but I remember going to London's "broadway", where a theater has held PHANTOM for decades, and people even refer to it as the "PHANTOM Theater". Too bad my tour group got screwed by going to see FAME instead.

Fantastic play! I've seen it twice on Broadway. The first time, 18 years ago when it first opened, and then again two months ago. I must say that the last time I saw it on Broadway, the gentleman who portrayed the Phantom was outstanding! While no one has matched Michael Crawford's voice, this current guy ( can't remember his name off hand ), in my opinion, was much better as far as acting as the Phantom went. His voice was really great too.

As far as the movie goes, I enjoyed it. I'm not putting it up there with the best movies by any means. But on it's own, it's a an excellent version of the Broadway play. It gives the viewer a little more insight about the Phantom himself. Emmy Rossum, who plays Christine Daee, was outstanding in the movie. A natural beauty along with a tremendous voice. Gerard Butler was very good as the Phantom also.

The stage version is a must see for anyone who enjoys going to the theater.


Don Cardi

I've only seen the movie. I thought it was great. Hopefully this Summer I can see it when I go to New York. I didn't realize it's been around for 18 years wow.

Mig, if you loved the movie, then you need to make it your business to see the play when you are in New York this summer.


Don Cardi

Well If I do get to see it this summer then you need to make it your business for you and your wife to see it with me

Regretfully, I haven't seen Phantom on stage yet, but know the show very well and saw the movie. Although the film did not live up to my expectations (I never did like Joel Schumacher), alot of critics and musical people I study with hated Gerald Butler as the phantom.
Personally, I thought he did a fine job with the vocal aspect, and he really looks like what I envisioned the phantom to be like physically. And of course Emmy Rossum and the rest of the supporting cast were good. Although Patrick Wilson as Raoul was a little wooden with his acting IMO.

I've seen the movie. Not the best movie, really, and not the best singing.
But I definitely enjoyed how opera rehearsals and manners are pictured there. Right on the money, and very well knowing the inside of this industry.

I intensely dislike the film version that was released last year. I never cared for the direction that the musical has gone. It seems that everyone just sings throughout the entire production as in contrast to the old Broadway musicals of Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Rodgers and Hart amoung others.

And I really just don't care for Webber's music at all. It's intriguing but he's nothing to write home about.

Well you are certainly entitled to your opinion. But the longest running play on broadway for 18 years and still going strong, and one of the top selling musical scores out of the broadway musicals, must mean something.

Personally I think that the musical score is pheonominal. As well as the play.

But I guess that's what makes the world an exciting place. Everyone is different and has different opinions and tastes.


Don Cardi

Well you are certainly entitled to your opinion. But the longest running play on broadway for 18 years and still going strong, and one of the top selling musical scores out of the broadway musicals, must mean something.

Personally I think that the musical score is pheonominal. As well as the play.

But I guess that's what makes the world an exciting place. Everyone is different and has different opinions and tastes.


Don Cardi [/b][/quote]Maybe I'm too harsh. I'm not a fan of Webber is all, really. I guess I do admire his music I just don't go wild over it.

I'm not very happy about his, "Sunset Blvd." musical for instance. I just could never even fathom such a creation.

I can picture it now, Mike.

Norma Desmond: NOBODY! I MEAN NOBODYYYYYY LEEEEEAVES AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA STAAAAR!

I've seen the movie and liked it. But the Phantom could've been better of course...

Haha.

A show-stoper of a number, huh?

Show girls appear from the pool as Gillis's lifeless body floats.

It looks kind of creepy scary?

I just had a customer come in who told me she is going to a Phantom fan club meeting in Scotland for a week on Wednesday. I almost told her I could really relate to that kind of thing since I'm a huge fan of The Godfather and Tim McGraw.... She is meeting other fans overseas from all over the world who love this movie. Interesting. She told me I just HAD to see it.... maybe I will rent it sometime.

I've not seen either. I borrowed the DVD from a friend though so i'll get round to watching it at some point!

I have the movie version of POTO, but I haven't seen it, yet - I want to watch it with my parents, and we just haven't taken the time, yet. Yep...we were swingin' cats.

I believe I once played some of the music, and if I remember it correctly, I enjoyed it very much. But that was a long time ago...

Gina, didn't forget you Just few time.

Gina, I think that it is great that a young lady such as yourself has a wide variety of musical interests. I've noticed in some of your posts since you've been a member here, that you have been introduced to and aquired a taste for different types of music. I think that is great.

If you have palyed POTO music and loved it, then you should really like the movie, as it will put the music together with what it is really all about.

But I must say that there is nothing like seeing it live, on stage.


Don Cardi

I saw the play about 5 years ago. Mezzanine, center, front row - great seats. Lavish, moving, great vocals, great sound track. "Les Miserables" is still my favorite, but Phantom is a must-see for the tourists or the aficiando. I'm not a good critic because I basically love everything I see on Broadway. Having performed in approx. 20 musicals in community theatre, I have a soft spot for the theatre. I always put myself somewhere in the play and the ones that I've had parts in are even more special. Of course I'm better than the Broadway actors

Don Cardi, thank you very much!

I owe most all of my musical interests to my parents, and I'm so grateful that they exposed such great stuff to me. I hope the styles that I enjoy are still present when I'm older.

That thought reminds me of a line in one of Elwood's speeches from The Blues Brothers...

Sort of ironic that the year mentioned has come!

Speaking of this movie and parents..... "Phantom of the Opera" was the first movie (moving pictures show) my mother ever saw. It was 1926, a year after it was released (the Lon Chaney version) and my mother was 8 years old. Her two older sisters took her to see it and the fact that the theater had a real live piano player accompanying the film was a real treat to my mom (who had never even been in a movie theater before).

Well, the movie (a real classic) had some unexpected moments (scary) and as my mom tells it, it scared the crap out of her (it didn't help that my two aunts "helped" to scare her).

If you ever get the opportunity to see the 1925 version you REALLY should check it out. Its a wonderful example of early American film at its best. (Just don't expect too much from the score - its a silent movie).