PHANTOM OF THE OPERA GOES BLACK

I have experienced seeing Phantom of the Opera on Broadway and in Toronto and with various leads.   Open the present Playbill for this recent show to view a two-page spread on Norm Lewis who had already retained the role of Inspector Javert in Les Miz.   What is the hype?  He is the first African-American to play the role of the Phantom.  WHAT?  WHO CARES?

Will that bring a larger black audience?  Will bigoted people stay away?   What truly counts is the performance and I’m sorry, but he is NOT a Hugh Panaro.   Granted, if you are seeing the show for the first time, you will be quite satisfied with everything.  In fact I went with someone who is above the age of 60 and has actually never seen a live performance of Phantom of the Opera.  She loved it. 

Norm sang and acted well.   He just seems to miss it for me on the vocals.   Sierra Boggess is now in the role of Christine.   It is interesting to hear the difference in her high soprano vocals vs that of Carlotta portrayed by Michele McConnell.    McConnell sounds more “opera” in tone (as her character would have it), while the excitement lies in how high Boggess’s voice will go. 

Having seen a tv spot that focused on machines that can capture and change your singing voice I continued to watch as they talked about performers who might be singing in positions that may warrant a voice over or recording.   It would appear that the performer is continually singing.   What if they can’t hit the notes that evening or walking along a sort of scaffold…as in Christine and the Phantom? You’d still get the vocals but the performer is mouthing the words with his or her own voice.  Just saying.

Playbill.com launched its 30 Days of Pride initiative June 1, profiling the dynamic voices of the LGBT community and pioneers of the stage. As part of the celebration, the company has switched its banner from the well-known yellow to rainbow.    Will it be a Collector’s item like the opening performance?

Phantom of the Opera is being performed at the Majestic Theatre.    Incidentally, if you haven’t heard, Love Never Dies is the sequel.   I doubt that it will come to Broadway unless people get tired of seeing Phantom.  

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA WILL HIT 10,000

Would you believe that Phantom of the Opera, the longest running musical on Broadway, will hit its 10,000th performance in a few weeks? The 24th Anniversary occurred on January 26. I attended the day before, a matinee, with my Aunt Gertie.

I was surprised when Christine (performed by Marni Raab)did not get a standing ovation hearing some news about who was to be portraying her. Afterwards, I looked in the Playbill to see that Trista Moldovan was the hype and Raab was doing alternate shows on Wednesday and Saturday matinees. Personally I thought that Raab gave an excellent performance. It was Hugh Panaro (the Phantom) who got the standing ovation and much deserving of. I recalled the last time I say the show and went back stage to meet Hugh. He has such an amazing voice and his acting is to be as much commended.

What is it that draws so many people to see Phantom? Let's begin with the score. The plot isn't one that you have to strain to follow. Then there is the score. Although there is much drama, there are some amusing spots as well due to the characters. Then there is the score. Talent is wonderful, sets are fabulous, effects are great and did I mention the score?

QUAD CITIES, THE CONCERT

LeClaire Park in Davenport is a great venue for festivals and concerts. September brings their annual Beerfest. I was there the week before to attend a performance by the Quad City Symphony Orchestra's Riverfront Pops with a focus on Broadway hits. Mark Russell Smith is the Music Director and three Broadway stars were on hand to sing. They were: Stephanie Block, who starred in the musical "9 to 5", The Boy From Oz, and Wicked; Lisa Vroman, who starred in Phantom of the Opera, had Broadway roles in Les Miz and continued singing opera; and Hugh Panaro, who is now starring on Broadway in the role of "masked man" in Phantom of the Opera. Coincidentally I had tickets to review Phantom only a few days later and met him backstage.

During these type of events, attendees are encouraged to bring chairs, tables or whatever they wish to enjoy a picnic on the lawn. For those who just wished to view the concert and perhaps buy food from the vendors, row of chairs are laid out in front of the stage.