CMW Post the Fourth: 25th Anniversary Performance

                     

This by far my favorite production of POTO. Ramin Karminloo (Phantom), Sierra Boggess (Christine), and Hadley Fraser (Raoul) are amazing in their roles and the other cast members performed beautifully, even with the changes that had to be made to the sets due to the stage set-up at The Royal Albert Theater. I bought the DVD when it came out and have watched it twice since then. By far the best, and I saw the Musical when it was in it's final run. Ramin's voice is just amazing and his acting is so good. Sierra puts so much emotion in "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again", it's breathtaking. And I much prefer Hadley's Raoul to Patrick Wilson's. He can be serious, yet humorous when it's appropriate.

With so many favorite scenes and songs, I couldn't decide which ones to talk about at first. But I have now!

"Christine Daae, where is your red scarf?"
Monsieur?"
"You can't have lost it. Not after all the trouble I went to to retrieve it for you."
"Because my scarf had gone into the sea! Oh, Raoul, it IS you!"
(I can't quite remember Christine's last line, but that's the gist of it.)

First is "Little Lottie/The Phantom of the Opera". "Think of Me" is good too, but I don't like Christine's dress (think colorful circus tent). She's seems a little TOO happy as well while singing it. Anyway, yes. Raoul's great; Christine's happy to meet her childhood friend again, all is well. But wait! Who's voice is that behind her dressing room mirror? Enter the Phantom. He's jealous of Raoul and wants Christine to think that her singing well at the performance is thanks to him. Which it kind of is-he did give her lessons, after all. But the Phantom doesn't want her thanks, he wants her to live with him and inspire and sing his songs. The gondola ride sequence is so neat, with the candles popping up in the mist. And when Christine sings that really long, high note as the Phantom urges/forces her to go higher and longer? Pure genius. Christine is in shock after the last note; she had no idea she had that kind of stamina or lung power. (I didn't either. Sierra kept singing and singing and my jaw kept dropping lower and lower.)

"Notes" is another favorite. All the confusion and who wrote which note is very funny. Andre, Firmin, Carlotta and Piangi are the perfect comedic actors. 

(Side note: I love this dress on Sierra. It's her shade of blue!)

"Masquerade" was brilliant! They did a wonderful job re-creating the scene because of the stage set-up. Watching all the cast members come down the stairs in all the different costumes was almost overwhelming-there were so many colors, some more glaring/garish than others. But, all in all, it was a great scene.

Now, Madame Giry and Meg, there was some good acting! Madame Giry was a little intimidating, which I thought was perfect. She was always popping in and out of places you didn't expect in the book. Meg was also good. She screamed in all the right places and was a genuine friend to Christine.

And who could forget "Wishing You Were Somehow here again"? It was unforgettable! The acting, the singing, the music (the fireballs!!). Oh, it's my ultimate favorite part, then "Final Lair". I know, I know. But it's SOOO GOOD! Christine and Raoul are so happy, Phantom is so sad.... perfect all around. You can hear the Phantom's heart break when he sings and then his mood changes to anger. "You will curse the day you did not do......all that the Phantom asked of you!!!!" *Cold chills

The curtain calls were numerous. Everyone was so happy and you can tell the cast members love their jobs. They can't stop smiling!! This is a big deal, people. You know they have to be tired, but they are so happy. And they should be; they did a tremendous job! 

When I bought the DVD, I saw that Sarah Brightman made a guest appearance. Oh, cool, I thought. I wonder which character she'll play. I didn't know that did a mini-concert!

The gentleman on Sarah's left is Colm Wilkinson. Hearing him sing was super! All the Phantom's from the shows over the years came and sang. They did "Phantom" with Sarah and then "Music of the Night" as a group, taking turns with the lines and then ending together. It was great!

This is my favorite by far. No doubt, POTO 2004 is not an option. I will have all my friends watch this instead of the other. There is no other version IMHO.

That wraps up my posts for Celebrate Musicals Week! This has been so much fun! Thanks to Miss Amy Dashwood for hosting and coming up with the idea.

Katelyn

Oh, and Eowyn? You win the quote game. I can't post which ones you got correct at the moment, but I will soon.