I'm wondering who here likes the Phantom of the Opera, mainly the movie (2003, with Gerard Butler as the Phantom) not the plays although if you want to include them in your comments that would be great!
Do you read The Guardians of Ga'hoole? Just wondering cause your name is shared with the heroe from those books.
Yes, but I have this post about the Phantom of the Opera, but is you would like to talk about Guardians let me know.
Ah, musicals... I love them, and
The Phantom of the Opera is one of my favourites. I have to say, I don't like the film and I can't hear the recording without cringing, but I will admit that it's a good way to get people exposed to the musical. I'm much more a fan of the stage musical, myself.
Have you only seen the movie? I highly recommend watching the 25th anniversary production if you haven't seen it yet. It has its own problems, but it's the closest thing there is to a taped stage version. Unless you count bootlegs. :P
My favourite Phantom is Anthony Warlow. I'll let his voice speak for itself:
I love the movie! Unfortunately, it's the only production I've seen of the musical.
Lily, you sound like me with Les Misérables! With Les Mis, I prefer listening to the 10th anniversary edition, but if I'm introducing people to the musical I have them watch the 25th as it is easier to follow.
Is Anthony Warlow in the 25th? I can tell he'd be an awesome Phantom!
Quote from: Icefire on March 28, 2012, 06:07:26 AM
Is Anthony Warlow in the 25th? I can tell he'd be an awesome Phantom!
Anthony Warlow was one of the Phantoms that performed at the end of the concert. He's our Australian Phantom. :) I was lucky enough to see him live twice (after seeing both of his understudies!)
Skip to about 2:13 for the singing. Incidentally, John Owen-Jones (the one next to Anthony Warlow) is another one of my favourite Phantoms. I've never seen him live, though. :(
Quote from: Icefire on March 28, 2012, 06:07:26 AM
Lily, you sound like me with Les Misérables! With Les Mis, I prefer listening to the 10th anniversary edition, but if I'm introducing people to the musical I have them watch the 25th as it is easier to follow.
I agree, I like the 10th anniversary version of Les Mis better, I think the cast as a whole worked well. I disagreed with a few of the stunt casting choices they made with the 25th anniversary... I still loved it, though!
COLM WILKINSON AND JOHN OWEN-JONES?!?!?!?!?!?! WHY IS VALJEAN IN PHANTOM OF THE OPERA??????? ??? Apparently it hasn't really sunk in that people can perform in more than one musical! :D Wow! I liked 3 of the 4 phantoms! I must say though that Sarah Brightman's voice hasn't improved with age. :P I only watched through Phantom of the Opera. I'll come back and listen to the Music of the Night later.
Quote from: Soren the Warrior on March 27, 2012, 02:23:03 PM
Yes, but I have this post about the Phantom of the Opera, but is you would like to talk about Guardians let me know.
Just in case you haven't found it, I started a topic on the Guardians.
The only Phantom that I like is the one and only original - Michael Crawford. That Gerard Butler guy had way too gruff a voice for an opera. :o
WOW! Anthony Warlow, John Owen-Jones, and Colm Wilkinson! I wish I could see each of them in the role! I didn't like that 4th guy, though. :P
I'm not a big fan of Michael Crawford in the role of Phantom. His voice seems to weak for the role to me. I did find it odd that they didn't have him sing at the end with the other Phantoms.
@Lutra - The gruffness was only part of the myriad of problems with Gerard Butler's voice... apologies to anyone who likes his voice, but I prefer it when the Phantom actually fits the angel of music role. His voice should make your soul "soar".
@Icefire - The 4th guy is Peter Jöback, he just took over the role from Earl Carpenter on the West End. I had issues with his performance at the concert too, though early reports say he's doing pretty well on the West End. In my opinion, he just couldn't compare with the likes of Anthony Warlow and John Owen-Jones.
Exactly!
I showed my mom that video of Anthony Warlow and she immediately had me google-ing whether or not he still plays the phantom and where we could see him. We were both disappointed to find out he's in something completely different now.
I'm still trying to convince her that seeing it at the Venetian would be a good idea, too! ;D
I think it's closing soon at the Venetian, you should definitely go and see it!
You and your mum would have to go to Australia to see Warlow perform, he doesn't perform much elsewhere. He's currently playing Daddy Warbucks in Annie, which I'm very sad that I can't see. He still has some albums available, which I highly recommend. :) I'd start with The Best of Act One (http://www.amazon.com/The-Best-Act-Anthony-Warlow/dp/B00006JROM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333417002&sr=8-1), it contains the best tracks off his other CDs. Of course, I recommend buying all of his albums, but that's just me. ;) The concept recording of Jekyll and Hyde (http://www.amazon.com/Jekyll-Hyde-Complete-Musical-Thriller/dp/B000002J3K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1333417002&sr=8-2) is amazing too.
I closes in September, but I doubt we'll be able to afford it. I'll keep looking into it, though.
Hm, I'll have to see if I can get those at the library. (I rarely buy cds without borrowing it at the library first.)
Quote from: Lily on April 01, 2012, 03:40:08 AM
@Lutra - The gruffness was only part of the myriad of problems with Gerard Butler's voice... apologies to anyone who likes his voice, but I prefer it when the Phantom actually fits the angel of music role. His voice should make your soul "soar".
Well not only that but if you're in an opera, well you better be able to sing, role aside. ;) That's kind of the number one thing with an opera. Butler did not have a voice that is fit for an opera.
I....have to weigh in here. XD
I cannot stand any iteration of Andrew Lloyd Webber's version of the story. He's awful. Musically, he's awful, lyrically, he's awful. His version of the story was like a kids' book re-telling. Even my nephew (7) thinks it's terrible. Granted, my cherubic little pally was brought up in a home filled with musicians, music theater and avid readers...so he knows what's good for him.
As far as musical versions of the story go--the Ken Hill version is good for a laugh! But the Arthur Kopit version (staring Richard White, originally. You might know him as Gaston from the animated Beauty and the Beast!) is musically far, far superior (lyrically not so much) and the story, if a little wobbly, is more engaging--the film version of that show (not a musical) starring Charles Dance, who was incredibly charming and witty in the role, was even better.
There's also a FANTASTIC 70's version of the story, a musical as well, called Phantom of the Paradise. It's hilarious and awesome and full of 70's goodness!
Ironically...the most accurate telling of the original story is actually the pretty terrible 80's horror flick version, starring Robert Englund. Yup. Freddy Krueger.
Varlyfray, why do you know all of this stuff off the top of your head? Because I lived with avid phans in Seattle, one of whom wrote an extensive book reviewing and analyzing pretty much every version of the story ever created, and we had long, long conversations about what was right and wrong with so many variations.
I also head up a steampunk Phantom project, because I'm like that. ;)
Wow! You sound like me.
Very thorough when it comes to tearing apart a movie! ;D
Quote
Varlyfray, why do you know all of this stuff off the top of your head? Because I lived with avid phans in Seattle, one of whom wrote an extensive book reviewing and analyzing pretty much every version of the story ever created, and we had long, long conversations about what was right and wrong with so many variations.
Seattle? You're a Washingtonian?
I used to be. I'm back in the mid-west now. And man, do I hate it here! :|
I always wanted to go to England.
My favorite part of The...Opera is the music.
Quote from: Varleyfray on April 14, 2012, 06:17:46 PM
I used to be. I'm back in the mid-west now. And man, do I hate it here! :|
Too bad! I was thinking, "Finally someone from my state!"
QuoteI always wanted to go to England
What's England got to do with anything?
Quote from: Icefire on April 16, 2012, 04:26:32 PM
QuoteI always wanted to go to England
What's England got to do with anything?
XD I have found that a lot of folks on this forum just post in topics to look at their own words on the screen.
@Matthias....ugh. Really? Go listen to something with a bit more brain, like some Sondheim (but skip the horrible Sweeney Todd movie.)
Have you seen the film Phantom of the Opera if so do you like or not who's your favourite character and such
My favourite chapters is Phantom
Mod note: I merged the new Phantom thread with the old one. Carry on. :)
I can't really pick a favourite character. The Phantom, of course, but I also really like Meg. I think she's cute. Her masquerade costume is one of my favourites.
I like Colm Wilkonson as the Phantom the best. Coincidentally, he was also the 10th anniversary Jean Valjean, but I think the 25th anniversary was the best Javert.
But that's another topic. :P
It is another topic (http://redwallabbey.com/forum/index.php?topic=3284.45), but it's hard to talk about musical actors without talking about all their roles, huh.
I'm not the biggest fan of Colm Wilkinson's Phantom, but I think he was a great Valjean. I agree with you about Norm Lewis' Javert, though. He was fantastic.
Quote from: Varleyfray on April 11, 2012, 03:25:44 AM
But the Arthur Kopit version (staring Richard White, originally. You might know him as Gaston from the animated Beauty and the Beast!) is musically far, far superior (lyrically not so much) and the story, if a little wobbly, is more engaging--the film version of that show (not a musical) starring Charles Dance, who was incredibly charming and witty in the role, was even better.
I missed this last time I looked at this thread... I love the Yeson/Kopit version too, though I've only seen it in Japanese. The English lyrics are pretty terrible but the music is wonderful, which is why I prefer it in Japanese.
I've only read the novel and have seen the silent film with Lon Chaney. The film, if you enjoy silent films, I know that is not everyone's cup of tea, is really brilliant...and scary I might add.
Phantom is a wonderful musical! Love it! That is to say - the stage show. The music is splendid and I was most fortunate finally to see it at the theatre last year for it's 25th anniversary tour. The film version pales in comparison with the quality of the stage shows. :)
I should really read the novel some day.
Ohhh, you saw the anniversary tour? Which Phantom did you see, John Owen-Jones or Earl Carpenter?
You should read the novel, it's really good. Like WoodlandWarrior said, the film is really good too.
^ I'm not sure... :( I don't tend to buy the pricey programmes and of course it's hard to make out people's faces properly from afar. I'll see if I can find the info online and hazard a guess. :D
Okay, just checked it! Apparently it was John Owen-Jones. :)
Oooooo. He's great, I have his album. :)?I would love to see him live, but living on different continents makes that difficult.
I collect theatre programs, so I always buy them when I go to a musical. I've been to... quite a few. You should see my collection from this year alone. :P
^ Ooh, cool! I've been to quite a few over the years. I like to see one a year if I can at least. :) Which ones have you seen?
Quote from: MeadowRabbit on July 23, 2013, 10:58:47 PM
^ Ooh, cool! I've been to quite a few over the years. I like to see one a year if I can at least. :) Which ones have you seen?
I answered your question in the musicals (http://redwallabbey.com/forum/index.php?topic=3806.msg211990#msg211990) thread so we can keep this for just The Phantom of the Opera stuff. I may have gotten a bit carried away. Musicals are pretty much my favourite thing to talk about...
Good idea! Thanks. :D
nice
He's here..... the Phantom of the Opera!!!! ;D
Quote from: PluggFiretail on July 26, 2013, 03:35:58 AM
He's here..... the Phantom of the Opera!!!! ;D
[in Christine's voice]
LAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAA. AAAAAAA
AAAAAAA. AAAAAAAA. AAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAA
That was me changing my notes ::) ^^
Quote from: Soren the Warrior on March 26, 2012, 08:31:20 PM
I'm wondering who here likes the Phantom of the Opera, mainly the movie (2003, with Gerard Butler as the Phantom) not the plays although if you want to include them in your comments that would be great!
Revive! My past self!
Anyway, I've recently saw that movie again and it brought back SO MANY MEMEORIES! I still think Raules character is a dork, but the Phantom is awesome.
(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k131/elvish_freak/Phantom%20of%20the%20Opera/outnow20.jpg)
I haven't really seen any of the plays though. I think the main play might be coming to my city soon though.
I haven't even seen it, but I know how the music goes, más o menos, and like it a lot. What's your favorite song?
I think mine is "Think of Me".
Music of the night, hands down. ;)
Favourite song from this is difficult! Ack!
'Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again' is a beautiful song. :)