Show 5- The Phantom of the Opera

[jasonjannajerryjohn]

Previous Shows:
Show 1- Wicked- http://www.thetoo.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=24354
Show 2- Seussical- http://www.thetoo.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=24448
Show 3- Aida- http://www.thetoo.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=24517
Show 4- Monty Python’s Spamalot- http://thetoo.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=24583



Phantom needs no introduction. It is one of the most popular shows ever. It is the longest running Broadway show ever, still on Broadway, infact, with 9051 performances and counting. Phantom has been playing at the Majestic since January 26, 1988. But it has been playing on West End (London's version of Broadway) since October 9, 1986. It won 7 Tony Awards including Best Musical. The Original London cast album is the eighth best selling album worldwide at 40 million copies sold.

Phantom tells the story of the strange occurances at the Opéra Populaire that involve a young girl named Christine Daaé (who has been played by Sarah Brightman in EVERY incarnation of this show >_>). She remeets an old childhood sweetheart named Raoul who is the new patron (pays to help support) of the opera house. Within a year, they are engaged. Meanwhile, the opera house is haunted by its very own Phantom, who demands payment from the new owners of the opera house, Monsieur Richard Firmin and Monsieur Gilles André, who are quite annoyed at the threats. When Carlotta Giudicelli, the opera house's leading lady throws a tantrem and leaves because a set piece fell on her, the new owners, desperete for a leading lady put Christine in the lead. When she performs beautifully, The Phantom falls in love with her. He abducts her to his lair, but releases her to continue being in the lead. Now, the owners are confounded, Raoul is upset, and Carlotta is in full diva mode from being replaced. All of these events converge to a truely epic climax.

One thing that is interesting is the famous song form the show "Phantom of the Opera" is ment to be something completely foreign. It's a rock song invading an opera house and otherwise completely operatic score.

Main characters (from Wikipedia):

The Phantom of the Opera — Facially deformed since birth, the Phantom is a genius composer, musician and a magician, who hides behind a white mask and is known to the managers and actors as the "Opera Ghost". Note: This character requires two doubles in the performance.

Christine Daaé — A Swedish chorus girl at the Opéra Populaire, and the orphaned daughter of a prominent violinist. Although talented, she lacks focus until the Phantom takes her under his wing and teaches her to sing. Note: This character requires two doubles in the performance.

Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny — The patron of the Opéra Populaire and a childhood sweetheart of Christine's, they meet again after he recognises her singing at the Opéra.

Carlotta Giudicelli — The Opéra's prima donna who becomes jealous of Christine after her great success.

Madame Giry — The Opéra's ballet mistress, and the Phantom's "spokeswoman", who delivers the Phantom's notes to the managers.

Meg Giry — Madame Giry's daughter, a member of the ballet chorus, and Christine's best friend.

Monsieur Richard Firmin — The grouchy manager of the Opéra Populaire.

Monsieur Gilles André — The flighty manager of the Opéra Populaire.

Ubaldo Piangi — The Opéra's leading tenor, Carlotta Giudicelli's husband.

Joseph Buquet — The Opéra's chief stagehand, who knows something about the Phantom's identity.

Monsieur Reyer — The Opéra's chief répétiteur, or director.

Monsieur Lefèvre — The previous owner of the Opéra Populaire, who sells the theatre to Firmin and André.

For viewing, see below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ej1zMxbhOO0


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXDonUxBxig


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZDcSrODALQ


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_dHz2PkGTE


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dp4UqGxOeHk


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2prIv_5kMs

[GlennAdams]

Love the Phantom! Watched it this weekend with a girl on my sister floor. The music is breathtakingly awesome... I don't know of any guys who like it personally.... They don't know what they're missing. =]

[Oba-rai]

. I haven't watched or listened to the version with Sarah Brightman, but yeah, PotO is absolutely fantastic. even the scenes I don't like, I do like because the music is so incredible.

[dancer5678]

I adore Phantom of the Opera it is incredible! The 2004 film of it is a good recreation of it.

[Catspaw]

I really like the 2004 film version as well! I've never heard the Sarah Brightman version, like Sarai (or Obama...whatever ) but I'm sure it's great. I have the film soundtrack, and I really love it.

[Loverly Light]

I absolutely love Phantom of the Opera! It's my second favorite musical (my first being Les Miserables~) and I also enjoyed the book a lot. I haven't had the privilege of seeing it on-stage, but I own the movie and have the musical's original cast soundtrack almost perpetually checked out from the library. I also sing it a lot with my older brother, which is very enjoyable. (I also hope to sing "All I ask of you" with whatever man I marry in the future, but it's lower down on the list of what I'm going to look for in a husband. ^^")

[jasonjannajerryjohn]

For the record, Phantom of the Opera the 2004 movie has Sarah Brightman as Christine.

[Catspaw]

For the record, Phantom of the Opera the 2004 movie has Sarah Brightman as Christine.

Are you sure? Click here for her IMDB credits - it isn't listed. Click here for the 2004 POTO listings - they credit Emmy Rossum with the part, and that's what it says on my DVD copy as well. Unless I misunderstood your comment...

[Amethystic]

It was Emmy Rossum. I remember that because I'm a fan of the PotO movie as well as The Day After Tomorrow.

I've always thought the movie was better than the clips of the musical I've seen.

My friends and I have the words to the title song memorized, and sometimes we just break out singing the songs together at random moments. It's pretty awesome.