Phantom of the Opera #62 NOTES

I stopped writing notes for every performance I see, especially if I happen to be seeing the same actors or happen to see two performances fairly close together. That being said, since I really haven't updated this blog with an entry in a long time I decided to write notes on the 62nd performance I've seen which I saw on July 3, 2015 at 8 PM.

First I want to thank my sisters, my brother and my brother-in-law (who was dragged to the show by my sister) for coming to the show with me and buying my ticket. You guys honored my birthday wish of attending phantom with all my siblings at one time and I appreciate it!

Sadly I didn't get to take this photo it's not mine just using it for the blog

My first note is about Kaley Ann Voorhes. I've had the privilege of actually meeting her a few times before I finally got to see her. I didn't think I would ever get to see her actually because I usually can't get to the show during the time slots she performs as alternate Christine. But lucky for me she was in the show on Friday instead of Julia Udine. I loved her performance. She really came through during the final lair scene and the second notes scene with the managers in Act II of the show. Not only is her performance awesome but she is one of the sweetest actresses I met, she really appreciates all of her phans and I hope when she is done with phantom in August that she goes far in the acting world whether it's Broadway or on film.

This is when I met Kaley in September of '14 before I saw her as Christine. 

My second note is about James Barbour. I have seen him once before but by the time I was ready to write about seeing him the performance wasn't so fresh in my mind anymore. I really like his phantom, I like Norm Lewis a little better but I really felt deep emotion with the performance I recently saw from James. So much so that I was sobbing so hard by the end of the performance. Most of the time I do cry when I see the show even though I know what happens and how it ends. I definitely love the emotion that he brings to Erik's character. 

This is not my photo either! I don't want to take credit for work that's not mine. 

That's about it for notes from my most recent viewing of phantom. If you can go see Kaley before she leaves the show!

The Phantom of the Opera by Philip J. Riley NOTES

This is a great book if you're seriously into the 1925 Phantom of the Opera. This book provides a ton of details about the 1925 making of the film, the film stars, and the versions of the film that exist. There's a ton of special reprinted photos, scripts and publicity within this book too so not only can you learn about the film but you can own reprints of paper materials that have to do with the 1925 version of phantom. I couldn't put this down until I finished it, it's a recommended read for phans and phans of the 1925 film! 

Purchase a copy here!

Manifestations of a Phantom's Soul Volume I NOTES

Some of the best phan phiction out there!

So I've been on a phantom of the opera book reading kick lately which means I'm gobbling up words in phan phiction with my eyes as quickly as I can and going through the rest of the books in my phantom collection that I haven't read yet and finally getting around to review them/blog them. 

I finally finished this captivating book during the recent blizzard NY was hit with. Rodriguez currently has three volumes of short stories having to do with phantom of the opera that she titled manifestations of a phantom's soul. I read vol. II when I got it for Christmas and I just got around to reading this one. 

I love all the phantom stories in this novel. Some of them seemed slightly familiar and I wondered if she had included some of the stories I read here in Vol. II. I was too lazy to verify this because I didn't want to dig around for Vol. II which I already put away in the garage after reading. There's not enough room in my place to keep my phantom novels out after I read them so they need to be boxed up in the garage for storage sadly. Most of her stories in this volume had Erik & Christine ending up together (which is always my preferential ending to the original story) and Raoul looking like a stupid ninny who won't leave the phantom and Christine alone. I love Rodriguez's writing and have actually read her other books besides Phantom. I don't understand why this woman isn't a bestselling author yet but for now she'll be my favorite Indie writer and if she ever gets to be a best selling author she'll be co-favorites with Lisa Scottoline IMO. 

In short I have nothing but accolades for this volume and suggest you purchase it if you can or get it on loan from a trusting phan to read ASAP! 

Order your copy here!!!

Phantom of the Opera #59 NOTES!

It's been awhile since I've reviewed a Phantom of the Opera performance or a book. I want to be more active with this blog again so here goes!

On January 14, 2015 my friend Janell and I had the luck to once again visit the Majestic Theatre to see another performance of Phantom of the Opera! My 59th time, her 4th time!

Janell and I eagerly awaiting the show, happy to be seeing it again!

So here's some brief notes about this performance!

Norm Lewis- It was my third time seeing Norm in the role of the Phantom! I love his phantom! I love the deeper voice he gives to the character, I love his final lair scene. I could see this man in the role again and again but I think last night is definitely going to be the last time I got to see him in the role.

Julia Udine - Julia Udine is the new Christine. She replaced Mary Michael Patterson. So in my opinion she started out weaker and got a lot stronger towards the end of the show. But I'm thinking she might have done that on purpose to show the character progression of Christine because I've seen other Christines approach the role in the same way.

Julia Udine and myself before the show started!

Linda Balgord - Linda Balgord is the new Mme. Giry on Broadway. I thought she was okay. Her voice gave the right Mme. Giry tone, but she looked like a fairy godmother version of Mme. Giry instead of the wise foreboding figure that lurks about the Paris Opera House giving a tiny bit of protection to the phantom.

So those are my notes, and let me conclude any one of these actors would do a way better job than I would ever do if I had to walk across the Majestic Stage to be in the show!

One of two curtain call photos I snuck in before the usher yelled at me to stop taking pictures even though it was curtain call!

James Barbour will be the new phantom....and there's a possible scandal as well!

On February 9, 2015 James Barbour will take over the title role in the Phantom of the Opera! He will join new cast members Julia Udine (Christine) & Linda Balgord (Mme. Giry).

Broadway's New Phantom!

Welcome to the Cast James Barbour!

There is however a scandal surrounding this actor that has caused a little bit of a sensation. According to Playbill, Barbour sexually touched a 15 year old fan after a performance of Jane Eyre in 2001 and again when she visited his apartment later that evening.

The Scandal as reported by Playbill!

Some phans don't welcome the news about this scandal. I myself am not sure what to think. This could have happened, it could have been consensual, and lots of girls look older than they are so he could have mistaken her for a 20 year old instead of a 15 year old. At the same time the girl could have lied to get some attention, yes some victims really are sexually assaulted and yes some girls lie about it to get attention or to ruin a man who has rejected their advances. So personally I'm on the fence. I was a little disgusted when I found out about the scandal, but objectively I don't know what to think. Feel free to share your thoughts or opinions about the matter in the comments of my blog entry.