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The Phantom of the Opera Reviews
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| 16 |
Review by: Chey Chey, Jul 7, 2011 |
| The Phantom of the Opera was a magnifisant production! It was an experience of a life time i had to go back stage and meet Hugh Panaro!!! I was overcome with excitement! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Family
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Recommended for:
The Entire Family
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Phantominal show. Review by: parker, Jul 2, 2011 |
| Absoultely amazing show, it is as good today as it was when we first saw it 22 years ago. Truley a classic of all times. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Family
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Anyone
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Phantom of the Opera - June 24 2011 Review by: Domenico Zelano Jr, Jun 26, 2011 |
| It was perfect. I saw the broadway show on June 24th, 2011. I've seen a couple traveling performances of the Phantom of the Opera, and in my mind those shows were wonderful. But, a casting director told me this "new" broadway adaptation of the Phantom was different, so I became sceptical. First of all, seated inside the Majestic, where it all started, was great and intimate. From the talent that had graced the stage to it's intricate ... read more interior design, the Majestic is mysterious, yet comfrotable. Secondly, the cast. Yes, is not the original and maybe strys from the orginal story, but Hugh Panaro is an excellent Phantom; powerful, delicate, graceful and fearful, his interpretations of the orginal soundtrack is creative and his performance of "Music of the Night" was brillient! The audience seemed to anticiapte Panaro's every breathe throughout the show with earnest and excitment. Together, with Marni Raab as Christine Daae; petite, sweet and suttle, both her acting and singing excited, uplifted and motivated the audience. Her rendition of "Think of Me" was unforgettable, and I dare to say on par with every note, nostalgic. Panaro and Rabb are great combination. I haven't seen a better duo. The role of Raul, played by Kyle Barisich, was different than I had seen. Barisich's melody seems to "talk" more than sing. Interesting for my ear, but I can appreciate it. His presence on stage was indeed charming. The entire leading cast were all amusing, each bringing there own personality and strengths to the stage. I enjoyed my time at the Majestic. It's history, presence, acoustics, casts, etc. Best seats are Orchestra either row K or L seats 106, 107 and 108. You are at eye level with the cast, center stage, and 75 to 80 feet away from the stage. Because of the design the sound from the stage simply rains down on you. Again, seeing the show at the Majestic was one thing I've always wanted to do, check! The cast IS excellent and don't fear the adaptation. I am sure it is quite like the original, but the story is still quite there. And if you love stories, as I do, you'll love this Phantom of the Opera. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Alone
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Adults
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good to sleep Review by: , May 26, 2011 |
hopefully anybody giving a good review to this play
is not giving a bad review to spiderman because .i went out from the phamtom show at the intermition because i catch my self sleeping 3 times during the show. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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Recommended for:
Seniors
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Disappointing Vocals by leads Review by: Larry, Apr 18, 2011 |
| Saw the show on April 17, 2011 on Broadway. Based on the movie version and recordings I went into the show with high expectations but came away disappointed. The techies did a great job. However, the vocals were weak. The two male leads did not have the power that I felt the roles required. The female lead sung in a stilted overly operatic fashion. Look at the movie version and compare how Think of me... is sung by Carlota and Christine. ... read more Ms. Ford brought the overly stiff style used by Carlota in the movie to the part of Christine in the Broadway show. I'm not sure if it was because of the vocal performances but the show did not emotionally engage me until the final scene. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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ABSOLUTELY SPECTACULAR. a must see for all phantom lovers - Hugh Panaro is fabulous. Review by: poor fool he makes me laugh, Apr 17, 2011 |
First off, I am a huge Andrew Lloyd Weber fan, and I love Phantom....I'm absolutely obsessed with it. My high school did it this year as our production, and I was devastated when it was over, I'm a senior meaning this was a biggie, so my mum and I went to NYC over spring break to go see it, and it was fantastic. The minute Hugh Panaro opened his mouth we just turned and looked at each other. Hes absolutely amazing. He steals the show.
The ... read more girl who played Christine that night....it was NOT Sara Jean Ford, it was the girl who performs two nights a week, was mediocre to say the least. Her voice was not fit for the role. She could hit the notes and everything, but she just wasn't right for the part. Too old sounding sorta. Also her acting was sub par. She did not sing "Wishing you were somehow here again" to my liking. It was lacking emotion.
Raul was fine, he had a nice voice, but to be honest I was just so focused on the Phantom that I wasn't really paying attention to him or Christine.
Carlotta was very good, as were Andre and Firmin. The ensemble was good too....Masquerade was done well.
I liked that they used electric guitars in the theme song as the movie does. The chandelier was beautiful, and the set for labyrinth scenes were really cool. I'm on stage crew, and I'm a lighting techie, so I really pay attention tot that sort of stuff. This show has very neat stage effect.
Hugh is a brillant actor and singer - he just has so much talent. I am not a Michael Crawford fan....I don't understand the obsession with him. (John Owen Jones and Hugh are much better in my opinion) My high school's production was very good, but Hugh sings with so much feeling; he really gets the point across that this is a tragedy. You sort of forget about Christine and Raul. I mean you don't, but it really does become the Phantom's Opera. Whereas in my school's production I was more into Christine and Raul's cuteness. Haha.
I could see this 1000 times and never get sick of it. It is absolutely amazing. One of my favorites, and I've seen a lot of broadway shows, even though I am young. I just saw Lion King on Friday....I am not a Disney fanatic so I would recommend choosing Phantom or Billy Elliot any day. However if you are into Disney you would enjoy the Lion King. It was entertaining indeed, just not my kind of show.
I don't know see how anyone could give this show a bad review....in my opinion you will not be disappointed! |
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Family
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Business Assoc., Adults
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If you haven't seen this cast, you haven't seen the show at its BEST Review by: mainemama, Apr 17, 2011 |
| This cast is magic. Took our kids to see this show (13 and 8) - they loved it, we loved it, we could watch it over and over. Hugh Panaro is beyond talented, Sarah Jean Ford is out of this world and they bring so much to the story. It's hard to describe how moving this tragic love story is - it's a must see with this cast! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Anyone
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Review by: , Apr 8, 2011 |
| This show is an absolute classic, but I wouldn't rush back to see it. I really enjoyed myself, and the music is unbelievable, but the story can get slow and boring at times. This show isn't a good show for young kids. I would recommend it for ages 12 and up. Not that its racy or anything, the story just isnt directed towards kids younger than. they would get bored |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Family
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Recommended for:
Tourists
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Review by: John, Mar 28, 2011 |
| A brilliant production staged by Hal Prince...a lackluster score, and a story that really amounts to little. The spectacle is great, though, and if that's what you're looking for, you'll have a good time. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
Alone
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Recommended for:
The Entire Family, Tourists
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Hugh Panaro is the best Phantom ever! Review by: Nancepants, Mar 21, 2011 |
Hugh Panaro is the best Phantom ever! I've purchased 4 tickets after watching him on Mar 18th. I'll watch poto as much as possible before he leave again...
I watched it on Mar. 18th, after that show, I've fell asleep for 3 days and I've been keeping listening to the POTO CD all day and all night long.
Hugh's performance onn the stage is just terrific and his curtain call is so warm n funny.
When he said: can you come back tomorrow. ... read more I answered him from my heart so I went home that night and purchased another 4 tickets for this show.
I learned from his official website that he's leaving this June 4th again... I'll try my best to watch the show by Jun 4th as much as possible, just for Hugh.
<3
You must see! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Alone
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Seniors, Tourists
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Phantom - Phantastic Review by: pffellows, Feb 15, 2011 |
February 2011. I've just seen the London Production of "The Phantom of The Opera" (again, after Many times since 1986). I also saw the Broadway Production in November 2010(again after many visits too). Both productions are simply superb and can be highly recommended. The statistics indicate that this Musical(Opera)could run forever. Please be one of those persons who experience the sensation Theatre at its utmost BEST. go go go . You'll not be ... read more disappointed.
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, The Entire Family, Seniors
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Perfect, Classic Broadway. Review by: Michael T., Jan 30, 2011 |
| I've seen the show 3 times, and every time I am still surprised by how fresh it is. It's romantic, scary, and interesting. The best parts of this show are the visuals and music. The sets and effects are big and elaborate. The music is beautiful and will send chills down your spine. I'd see it if I were you! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Large Group
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Seniors, Tourists
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HUGH ROCKS THE PHANTOM! Review by: jef, Jan 26, 2011 |
Hugh Panero is the best Phantom ever.
To hear him sing is to experience greatness. The way he phrases, his movements, the way he touches Christina are all thought out to give the audience the ultimate enjoyment. I have seen this play 6 times over the years (he was in the show a few years ago) and can only say he is the BEST EVER PHANTOM. I will be seeing this again ,if Hugh Panero is in it. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Large Group
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Recommended for:
Anyone
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| 29 |
Phantom is beautiful and beguiling and Sara Jean Ford and Hugh Panaro are magnificent. Review by: Baltasar D. Cruz, Jan 22, 2011 |
Phantom is more of an opera than a musical as there is very little dialogue. Also, the story is somber and tragic and the music includes arias (from an opera which is a part of the musical) as well powerful duets. As a result, Phantom contrasts sharply with the typical frivolous Broadway musical.
The leads, Sara Jean Ford (as Christine Daae) and Hugh Panaro (as the Phantom), are simply magnificent. Their voices are like finely tuned and ... read more powerful instruments that emit resonant waves of passion. To hear them sing is to realize that what the rest of the world calls singing must be something else and that these two performers reside on a different musical plane.
Phantom is beautiful and beguiling, and the sets are impressive.
My only criticism is that the relationship between Christine Daae (Ms. Ford) and Raoul (Sean MacLaughlin), with whom she inexplicably and suddenly falls in love after Raoul briefly visits her in her dressing room, is inadequately developed and seems very contrived.
Also, I feel that it was a mistake to have seen Phantom from the mezzanine, which is very high and far from the stage at the Majestic Theatre (e.g., so far that it was difficult to see the performers' faces), and hope to someday see it again from much closer to the stage, where I believe the imagery must be much more powerful and dramatic. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Alone
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, The Entire Family, Business Assoc.
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| 30 |
Rent the Movie! Please do not Waist your Money! Review by: Broadway BEAST!, Jan 17, 2011 |
The Phantom of the Opera is one of the worst shows on Broadway! I am ashamed that the musical theater community has allowed this show to continue a 23 year run and counting! This is an outrage! The best part of the entire musical is the costumes and it is impossible to build an entire theatrical production on costumes alone! I will admit that music is beautiful and deserves some recognition, but the storyline and the lack of attention to ... read more detail ruins the entire show. The director should be more sensitive to the audience and not allow every song to be a "Park and Bark" with the exception to "Masquerade".
Andrew Lloyd Webber is a very talented man and one of the best of his time, but his shows tend to be a little slow. Among some of his better shows are Joseph and Jesus Christ Super Star, but he was also responsible for Cats. Cats was another show that I just cannot understand why audiences continued to pay money to attend for over 18 years. Cats was a show with no story line and had adults dressed in cats suits prancing around on stage singing ballads. I don't get how this is good entertainment and why it is worthy of a Broadway Stage.
If you are looking for a good place to take a 3 hour nap with good background music, I suggest you purchase a ticket to The Phantom of the Opera. Tourist who come to New York and want to see a show are only picking shows they recognize which are not necessarily the best. For example they are choosing The Phantom of the Opera instead of In the Heights. This is upsetting because many incredible shows closed this past December, because they couldn't draw an audience. If you are planning on seeing a musical this year, please educate yourself before spending money on a horrible show. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
Large Group
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| * Review is an opinion of a BroadwayBox user and not that of BroadwayBox.com and BroadwayBox, Inc. |
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