Comments | phantomfans: Review: Phantom of the Opera, U.S. Tour, Columbus (March 11, 2014, evening).

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Review: Phantom of the Opera, U.S. Tour, Columbus (March 11, 2014, evening).

Apr 04, 2014 02:11

Originally posted by phantomdaae1981 at Review: Phantom of the Opera, U.S. Tour, Columbus (March 11, 2014, evening).
Review: Phantom of the Opera, U.S. Tour, Columbus (March 11, 2014, evening).
Phantom: Cooper Grodin.
Christine: Celia Hottenstein.
Raoul: Ben Jacoby.
Andre: Edward Staudenmayer.
Firmin: Craig Bennett.
Carlotta: Amy Justman (understudy).
Madame ( Read more... )

Comments 3

newmoonstar April 5 2014, 02:30:19 UTC

Wow, thanks for posting this! I've been debating whether or not to go see the new production, since I've been terrified of what horrible things the new staging might have in it, and you can't trust reviews from anyone who isn't a Phantom fan! I'm really grateful to hear the perspective of a real Phan, and now I know what to expect, I might be able to deal with it. I'm still pretty indignant at the whole no Red Death/re-staging MOTN/making Raoul obnoxious thing, but I'm kind of intrigued to see some of the other stuff, and at least if I know they're going to make stupid changes like no unmasking in the first lair scene, I won't be sitting there fuming over them while I watch the show.

BTW from what I've heard, it was a conscious decision to make Raoul less nice to set up Love Never Dies, though I can't fathom why, since LND will NEVER have a US production. I don't understand how ALW can be so naïve as to think that project will ever get off the ground at this point, and anyway, Phantom should stand on it's own. Most people who see it ( ... )

phantomdaae1981 April 5 2014, 09:13:04 UTC

Thanks for your reply!

I'm not surprised, but I AM unhappy to hear that it was likely deliberate for Raoul to be portrayed in such a way as to lead into LND. I suspected as much, but I had hoped I was mistaken, obviously.

anonymous December 9 2015, 20:24:24 UTC

Interesting review! Thanks. I do think it's worth pointing out that you actually saw Celia Hottenstein in her Christine debut! I saw on her instagram that this particular date was her very first time ever performing Christine in the tour. How exciting that you were there! I'm sure the first one could be scary, especially in such a huge role. I saw her earlier this year in Los Angeles and she was phenomenal.