The internet (and other places) rages with the debate over whether this show or Les Mis is the most popular show in the world. I�m not going to take sides here (I don�t take the debate as seriously as some ... STACY! :-p) because I really feel that the shows are so different that you can�t even compare them. I will say that Phantom seems to have some of the most *dedicated* fans (phans?) in the world. I�m not *that* dedicated, but Phantom is a great show, and one of the best I�ve ever seen on stage.
Random Thoughts on the Recordings:
The Original London Cast: I appear to be the only person in the world who feels like this, but I am not a Michael Crawford fan. I have a great respect for the man and his legions of fans (so no hate mail, please!), but his voice doesn�t work for me. Therefore, I�m not wild about this recording of Phantom. However, Sarah Brightman is lovely as Christine (she�d almost have to be, when you consider that the role was written for her!) and I really like Steve Barton as Raoul, and the rest of the cast is wonderful. I also really like that this is a much more complete recording than the Canadian Cast recording -- �Twisted Every Way� is one of my favourite musical moments in the show, and there are lots of other minor moments like that that the Canadian recording doesn�t include. However, I don�t listen to this recording very often, simply because I don�t enjoy Mr. Crawford�s performance. Plus, the CD is just one long track, so it makes it very hard to just listen to one song, if that�s what I�m in the mood for!
The Original Canadian Cast: I saw Colm Wilkinson perform as the Phantom three times, so obviously I have a bit of a soft spot for him and I might not be able to be completely objective -- but when has that ever stopped me before??? :-) I much prefer Mr. Wilkinson�s performance on this CD to Mr. Crawford�s on the OLC. As well, Rebecca Caine as Christine is just wonderful. I enjoyed Byron Nease as Raoul better on stage than I do on the CD, but he�s still good. Raoul is a hard part to play without turning him into a total prick, but I think Mr. Nease does a great job. The supporting cast is fabulous, and I think the orchestra on this recording is one of the best I�ve ever heard. As I indicated above, about my only complaint about this CD is that it is only a highlights recording, and many of the smaller musical numbers are left out.
Random Thoughts on the Show:
It�s been a few years since I saw this show, so my memories are a bit hazy of it. However, I�m hoping to see it again this coming weekend, so I�ll be able to add many more observations here then! (Everybody cross your fingers for me!!!) I *do*, however, remember that Phantom is one of the most spectacular shows I�ve ever seen on stage. I have some problems with the story, which I won�t get into in hopes of avoiding further hate mail (I get enough from Stacy! :-), but for sheer entertainment value, not many shows can beat Phantom (the only one I�ve seen that can is Beauty and the Beast). The overture is *the* best in musical theatre today, and the entire show is an *experience* from beginning to end. I love the music, the sets and costumes are breathtaking, and every performance I�ve seen in the show has been phenomenal. Like I said before, I saw Colm Wilkinson as the Phantom three times, and he blew my mind. Many people don�t enjoy his interpretation of the role, but it worked for me. Three times. :-)
The Phantom Appreciation Society - Christine Daae's excellent Phantom page
The Lair of the Canadian Phantom - information about the Canadian Production of Phantom
Phantom of the Opera Nexus - Phantom links
The Sarah Brightman Shrine - everything you ever wanted to know about Sarah Brightman, the original Christine
Krista's Michael Crawford Page - an excellent page dedicated to the original London Phantom
The Colm Wilkinson Appreciation Society - a page for the Toronto Phantom
Is the Phantom inside your mind??? Discuss it with me!
Wander back to my wacky world ...
or go back to my musicals page ...
� 1997 
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