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Post by SyrSyr on Jul 24, 2005 20:37:26 GMT -5
Any fans of Phantom (books, musical (ALW or Y/K), or movie) here? I saw the movie earlier this year and that led me to read the original book by Leroux and then the book by Susan Kay. (Kay's book is fantastic.)
I'm going to see the ALW (Andrew Lloyd Webber) musical in New York on the 26th. Has anyone else been to see the musical before? Unfortunately, I know they won't let me take pictures but being able to see it is good enough I suppose.
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Post by sera on Jul 24, 2005 20:47:32 GMT -5
two words: michael crawford.
*lovedies*
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Post by Belladandy on Jul 24, 2005 21:02:03 GMT -5
I seen a few old movie version of it but never the origanal. Boogers I can't see in a theature (too far off't) Really love the music though including "Music of the Night"
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Post by Dawby on Jul 24, 2005 22:18:07 GMT -5
I've seen it on Broadway twice. The sets are amazing, but I think a lot depends on the cast. The first time I saw it, the Phantom was very good but Christine just wasn't impressive at all. The second time, Christine was fantastic (phantastic? heehee) but the Phantom couldn't handle the role.
There are two movies based on the books, too; the original silent with Lon Chaney is very scary, but I also like the version with Claude Rains from the Forties.
*Michael Crawford - lovedies indeed!*
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Post by Belladandy on Jul 24, 2005 22:23:00 GMT -5
Whoow I think I seen those movies on TCM!
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Post by Dawby on Jul 24, 2005 22:25:20 GMT -5
Probably!! I think Mr. Turner owns everything... lol
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Post by Belladandy on Jul 24, 2005 22:38:47 GMT -5
Inlcuding himself! ;D Boyo he really was hard to buy out!
As for the more recent moive I heard it was a dud though I think I'll rent it sometime and make a judge for myself.
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Post by Leafy on Jul 24, 2005 23:34:56 GMT -5
The Claude Rains version of Phantom is one of my faaaaavorites *_* I want to lick his mask sooooo bad ;o; Michael Crawford = GOD *_* I've seen the stage version 3 times, the most recent two, Christine was done by the same person ; Only this time she had more wrinkles <_<; And the first time I saw it, the Phantom was played by Brad Little *_* omg I don't think I've EVER turned into that big of a pile of mush over any guy *_* though young Michael Crawford in "Hello Dolly" does send me into fangirlish squealing fits XD He's just too cute and leggy to not love <3
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Post by Jaguara Katial on Jul 25, 2005 1:02:39 GMT -5
OMG!!! Erik is like so HAWT!!!!
*Runs and pushes Christine out of the way*
^_______________^;
I've read the original book by Gaston, I've seen the musical in San Fransico and I saw the new movie when it came out on opening day.
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Post by Pega on Jul 25, 2005 14:37:34 GMT -5
HolyFREAKINGcow, I LOVED the movie! Anyone who says it was a 'dud,' must be a dud themselves! Anyhow... <.< That's all I have to say. Never seen/read any other version.
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Post by SyrSyr on Jul 30, 2005 12:49:28 GMT -5
I just got back from Phantom in NYC, guys! It was one of the most spectacular experiences ever. (I impusively went twice too.) I have a feeling that since Hugh Panaro is my first Phantom live, I'll love him forever. (<3) Though he's leaving in October so I'll probably never see him in that role again. ;_; I've never seen the Lon Chaney film but I've heard it's the closest to the original novel. I really would love to see it some time and as far as I can tell his make up is the closest to the books. But I can see how in the musical they'd have to do a half mask since singing out of a whole one would be difficult. (I could even hear the echoing in just the Red Death mask at the musical.) Besides the ones you mentioned I know of a really crazy one where Erik (Destler) sells his soul to the devil or something. It sounds too much of a horror film for me. I adore MC. I don't think his voice is precisely the best but I love the way it turns slightly nasal in upper registers. It's very distinctive and Erik-ish to me. I wish I would have been around to see him perform as the Phantom. He is, after all, the original. (If you don't count that...was it Steven Harley?) Picture time! I'm still getting some film developed with me and the actors out of costume but I have some from my digital camera which unfortunately died sometime during intermission. Dude, I never figured out how to link pictures here. I am sad. Nostalgic billboard in Times Square i2.photobucket.com/albums/y49/momentsgo/IMG_5862.jpg--- The view of the opening scene from my seat: i2.photobucket.com/albums/y49/momentsgo/IMG_5875.jpg--- Golden figures: i2.photobucket.com/albums/y49/momentsgo/IMG_5878.jpg---- Autographed picture from Hugh <3 i2.photobucket.com/albums/y49/momentsgo/hughpicturesignedsmall.jpg--- Scan from the expensive program (not mine) i2.photobucket.com/albums/y49/momentsgo/sandrahughnewboat.jpg
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Post by SyrSyr on Jul 30, 2005 12:57:42 GMT -5
I think that the new 2004 movie was a completely different genre than the musical. It was a younger more hip version that used the same context but was meant for a younger audience. It was definitely steamier with Gerard Butler being only 30-something instead of the 40-50 year old I see the Phantom as.
I personally like the movie though it's a matter of perspective. If you compare it to the original standards of the musical, Gerard falls short. He, after all, was never professionally trained to sing before the movie unlike Emmy and Patrick Wilson. But as an actor I do love him (Dear Frankie is a must see in my opinion) and for the purposes of the movie, he does make a terribly handsome Phantom (putting all images of a corpse or skeleton behind us). And the opening chandelier scene is WONDERFUL.
The ending I could have done without.
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Post by Dawby on Jul 30, 2005 13:23:11 GMT -5
My parents saw Phantom just after Sarah Brightman left but while Crawford was still part of the cast.
Antonio Banderas wanted the role of Phantom sooooo bad in the movie. I haven't seen it yet and don't think I've ever seen Gerard Butler before, but I wish it had been my hunny Banderas.
Glad you liked it, Syr!! Was this your first Broadway performance in general?
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Post by SyrSyr on Jul 30, 2005 13:53:39 GMT -5
I have this special place in my heart for Crawford and I have to content myself with old broadcasted versions of MoTN and the soundtrack. ^_^;
I'd seen Lion King in Toronto before but that was the limit of my Broadway experience. And Phantom is such a magnificent musical in general. It's bombast in all that is good so it completely blew me away. And Hugh Panaro. I know I keep saying this but his voice is like nothing I've ever encountered before. I researched him a little before I went and turned up praise for his voice but I wasn't aware...Gah! *melts*
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Post by Belladandy on Jul 30, 2005 15:22:47 GMT -5
Awww... I feel so jealous! I remember seeing "A Christmas Caol" done by some collage or something (I forget). It was preformed with very little props (the actors had to pretend that they were knocking on a door or lighting a fire etc.) but dispite that it was really, really well done. Going a little off't the subject has anyone heard of this play call either "A walk in the woods" a "walk in the forest?" It's a musical comdy play with all the "fairytale" characters in it. I forget the story line though
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