Saturday, February 06, 2010
After 17 Years, Phantom Tour Will Retire Its Mask in November
Playbill.com: "The current national tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, which recently played its 7,000th performance, will end its long run in November, producers Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Theatre Company, Inc. announced Feb. 5."
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10 comments:
This show has been around FOREVER! I was privileged to see it in New York, and can attest to the reason that it has run for so long- it is a really great show. I am particularly excited to see that the show will make is penultimate stop in Pittsburgh in August. I will definitely go see it again! The article had a very interesting description of the way the different companies around the country operate. It is a very interesting operation, one that has been going on for quite some time and is still going strong.
I am curious as to how the sequel will fare, and I'm sure that the end of Phantom is in part to set up for the opening of Phantom pt.2. I'm sure that when pt.2 closes, a Phantom revival will hit broadway, making sure that there will be a Phantom something on Broadway as long as anyone will be able to remember. I'm impressed with the planning and closings in order to boost marketing and sales. I'm sure that even if the Phantom pt. 2 is terrible, the early sales will sell quickly, as Phantom fans will need their fix.
Finally. Sorry but I do think Phantom of the Opera is one of the most overrated shows of all time. The things it did for theater tech is wonderful, but the story and acting were just week. I love the music and the show looks gorgeous, but you go in suspecting so much and come out very disappointed. That seems to be par with all Andrew Lloyd Weber musicals. I'm happy this show is finally retiring and maybe something new can come out. Doubtful, seeing at Phantom 2 will probably take its place.
Phantom of the Opera has done important things for theater. However, in my opinion, it has a very weak story and musically, it is not very interesting. While I think it is good that the tour is closing in November. However, like many who have commented have already said, it will probably be replaced by Phantom 2. I feel that productions have a limited lifespan so to speak. Because the nature of theater is so transient, specific productions get old and dated. Instead of remounting the same Phantom, RENT, or Lion King over and over again, maybe try producing a new one.
I agree that it is nice to see this ending, but happy that it is coming to Pittsburgh before it does. While I have nothing at all against Phantom, but also haven't seen it other than the film, I think it would be refreshing for a reboot eventually. It certainly could use an update, considering it's been over 20 years on Broadway. I think the idea of a sequel could do some interesting things to the franchise, but I hope that it doesn't ruin it, because I would hope to see that Phantom remains the legend that it is, in some form or another.
While it's sad to see that at least part of the seemingly unstoppable juggernaut that is Phantom of the Opera, I think that it may be high time that at least the touring part of Phantom took a rest. I think that there are other shows could use to exposure that Phatom has enjoyed so far, so I think the closing of the tour will free up the possibility for other shows to be able to go on tour. On top of that 17 years is a really long time for anything to be shown time after time without major change. It may finally be time for something new to take it's place.
When I visited NYC in last winter break, I watched Phantom. It was totally amazing show. Moving set and stage was enough to attract audience. But It is also totally commercial show to attract tourist. I don't think this show is great as artistic veiw but if this show's purpose might achieve commercial profit, I think they already achieve their goal.
A sequel? Really? Phantom of the Opera is not very interesting musically or as a story, so the only reason for producing a sequel would be to make money off of all the people who, for some reason, will be heartbroken to see Phantom end. Sure, it's beautiful visually and technically, but it is way past time for the production to retire. I don't foresee spending time and money to see Phantom when it comes to Pittsburgh.
I agree that it is time for Phantom to retire. I remember before I saw it on Broadway, I was so excited, because it had been hyped up so much. After seeing it, I was a bit disappointed. It looked beautiful, but it was weak. I do envision the sequel doing very well. I'm sure there will be an immense rush to see the show when it opens, but I think that it too will be a disappointing find. Somethings are just not worth keeping alive for such a long time.
I was happy to see this show several years ago, although I can't really say I've ever agreed in regards to its artistic contribution after 17 years. In its time, I think this must have been very influential and a big deal in terms of technical aspects. When I saw it I was really taken by how dated it was, but it was still a great show. Hopefully the sequel won't be a complete disaster.
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