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The Phantom of the Opera Reviews
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| 31 |
Review by: Roe, Jan 12, 2011 |
| This was one of the best Broadway shows I ever saw. It is on my top 5 list for sure! The music (the drum roll electric keyboard stuff)is only found in one song thank god. That was a big thing in the 80's which is when this play was released, but the rest of the music is memorable and beautiful. This is Andrew Lloyd Webber's best play and I am so happy that I got to see this! |
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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, Business Assoc.
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| 32 |
Review by: MCFNY, Jan 6, 2011 |
| I loved the show but wished I did not buy my tickets in the upper mezzanine; had trouble following the actors and understanding the words; could not hear some parts. I would have enjoyed it more if I was closer. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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| 33 |
Fantastic music and a must see in NY Review by: Wendy, Jan 5, 2011 |
| The voice of Sara Jean Ford and Hugh Panaro was fantastic! I will definitely see it again someday. Hope it is still Sara and Hugh at that time. How I miss the emotional voice of Sara. The Stage is great and so are the rest of this show. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 34 |
Phantom Phan! Fantastic! Review by: Erica, Dec 9, 2010 |
| Phantom was the best! I'm 13 so I can say on behalf of me and my friends...we LOVE it! Love, Comedy, Horror, and a fantastic plot! Hugh Panaro (NYC Show) and Sara Jean Ford (NYC Show) were exceptional! I can't wait to see it again! The actors are very nice, as we met with them afterwards. LOVED IT!!!! You must go! |
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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:
The Entire Family, Seniors, Tourists
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| 35 |
Absolutely a must see! Review by: elman1952, Sep 12, 2010 |
| This is the best Broadway show I have ever seen, and I've seen it five times. It is the longest running show for a reason, i.e., it is the best. The production is fantastic and the music is better. If this show doesn't leave you breathless, you're already dead. |
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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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| 36 |
Longest Running Show For A Reason Review by: PhantomLover3, Sep 11, 2010 |
| I saw the show on tour in Philly in 2006. Since then, it has been my favorite Broadway show. I have seen it twice in New York since then. The costumes effects and sets help it be so great. They are elaborate and jaw-dropping. The story has something for everyone. Love, comedy, some horror. But then there's the music. It is beautiful. It is one of the best scores. It is a classic and a must-see! |
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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, The Entire Family, Seniors
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| 37 |
There's just no "there" there -- but what do I know? Review by: DoctorJoeE, Sep 9, 2010 |
Here's how old and clever I am: As my wife and I left a bitterly cold Majestic Theatre in January of 1986 after one of the earliest preview performances, I sagely predicted that "Phantom" had no chance in Hades of surviving to spring.
The tunes were catchy and the staging was creative (loved the flying chandelier, the candelabras erupting from the floor, and the fake lake -- there really is a subterranean lake under the Paris Opera, you ... read more know); and Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman were duly impressive. But the score was basically a few key musical phrases, repeated endlessly. (And, it turned out, dubiously conceived as well: Puccini's heirs alleged that “Music of the Night” was lifted practically in toto from “La Fanciulla del West” - Webber settled out of court for an undisclosed sum - and Roger Waters has claimed that the signature opening chord progression originally opened his song "Echoes.") And with the endless possibilities inherent in such a wonderful plot concept -- a haunted opera house -- I was surprised and disappointed at how little the creators did with it.
On top of that, I continued, with great confidence, "Phantom" couldn't possibly surmount its across-the-street competition, a Tim Rice musical called "Chess" which, everyone (including yours truly) agreed, was an absolute can't miss major hit.
So here we are, coming up on 2011, with "Chess" a flash in the pan (it lasted a couple of months, if memory serves) and "Phantom" the longest running show in Broadway history by quite a margin. And I know this sounds like sour grapes -- but I still don't get it; if I had it to do over, I'd still make the same prediction. I've seen the show a few more times with visiting friends and family, most recently last night, each time hoping to discover whatever I've missed all the previous times. But every time I have the same complaints: the story line is poorly constructed; there is no genuine emotion, only spectacle; the ending is creepily unsatisfying; there's just no "there" there.
And yet...and yet, this vapid ghost of a show has run for a quarter of a century, and grossed $5 billion. So far. So what do I know? Go see it; and if you chance to solve the mystery of its indestructible appeal, please do enlighten us. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
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Recommended for:
Tourists
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| 38 |
"Phantom of the Opera" and "Love Never Dies" Review by: Peter Fellows, Jul 8, 2010 |
| I've seen this show many times (double figures), the original production at Her Majesty's Theatre London (still running since 1986) and of course the Broadway production at the Majestic Theatre (running since 1988) and a UK touring production at Bristol Hippodrome Theatre. The show is simply sensational and ranks as a masterpiece of 20th Century Musical Theatre. The best "Phantom" I've seen is Ramin Karimloo (in London), who is currently ... read more performing "Phantom" in "Love Never Dies" at the Adelphi Theatre. Just go go go and see the show and when "LND" reaches Broadway go go go too, you'll not be disappointed, unless you're a total cynic. The MUSIC is simply devine and will stand the test of time. I'm a Devoted Fan of West End and Broadway Theatre and lucky to have seen 100's of shows over the years.. Peter, City of Bath, England ...... |
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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, Business Assoc.
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| 39 |
disappointed with June 30 2010 performance Review by: , Jul 4, 2010 |
Saw Phantom for the 6th time on June 30, 2010 and was disappointed in the performance of the Phantom. I think it was John Cudia. It was Wednesday matinee so perhaps there was a substitute? In any event, we thought he overacted to an extreme. In fact, he was a ham!
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Phantom of the Headache Review by: goldenboy, Jun 19, 2010 |
Don't like this musical. Didn't like it 20 years ago with the original cast and don't like it now.
Do yourself a favor..unless you are a fan of gushing two dimensional romanticism, go see Memphis, Promises Promises, Next to Normal or almost any other musical.
This show is dull, and gives me a headache no matter who is appearing in it. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 41 |
Hated It Review by: , Jun 6, 2010 |
I've seen the show twice--once when it first opened, and then I was dragged to it again recently. I was disappointed both times and thought it was a lot of hoopla over nothing. First of all, Andrew Lloyd Weber confuses loud and bombastic music with music that is melodic. I thought there were at most one or two pretty songs in the score-the rest were completely unmemorable. Secondly, I couldn't have cared less about any of the characters. To ... read more me, the show had no heart. It's just an empty shell. Putting pretty costumes on the cast and having them walk down a flight of stairs does not make a musical. Yes, it's a nice production, but that doesn't make an emotional dent. And finally, that stupid chandelier was tacky and cheesy in 1988 and it's tackier and cheesier now.
Newer shows like "Billy Elliot" have it all over this tired, touristy mess. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
Large Group
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Recommended for:
Tourists
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| 42 |
Still one of the best! Review by: Merlin53, May 26, 2010 |
| My wife and I celebrated our 27th wedding ann'y in NYC with an overnight. Dinner at Becco(GREAT!!!)Lion King Friday evening(Outstanding!!!) and a surprise for my wife on Saturday afternoon with tix to see Phantom,which is her all time favorite musical. We've seen it 5 times over a span of 20 years and it never ever disappoints. The performance we saw on 4/17 matinee was once again magic. How anyone can find fault in this extremely entertaining ... read more show is amazing. All performers were excellent with Christine and the Phantom deserving special mention. See it again....it's what Broadway is all about! |
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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:
Anyone
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| 43 |
Fantastic Review by: Farmacy, May 25, 2010 |
| Fantastic- thoroughly enjoyed every minute- my husband is converted to watching musicals!! |
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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, Business Assoc.
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| 44 |
Fascinating! Excellent Review by: MonicaNY, May 21, 2010 |
| The Best show ever on Broadway. A "must see one". The music, the story, the choreografy, the dancing, everything is excellent. Love, mistery, tragedy together leaves you with a beautiful overwhelming feeling in your heart. I recommend it to anybody who wants to see a great production. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Tourists, Adults
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| 45 |
Phantom Rocks Review by: , May 20, 2010 |
| OMG I loved watching Phantom live on stage. I've only seen the movie like 10,000 times and my band was able to go see it live. I love Phantom of the Opera. The actors were so good I was sad when the show ended. |
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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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