The next adventure I took with this group was again to Toronto, in the fall of 2000. We visited the Phantom store in Hamilton, and also met up with Jeff there. We all ended up going back to his house, and making a *hilarious* music video to the overture - with Jeff as the Phantom, and using the actual props from the Toronto production, which he had saved from the dumpster. It was so funny! We stayed the night with another phan who lived in Toronto, and went out for lunch the next day, joined by Jeff again. We plotted to leave a rather nasty and amusing note on a production poster outside the Pantages Theatre (since Phantom was now closed). We filmed this escapade as well, with all of us marching formally in a line, placing the note, then running screaming and giggling across the street. We hid behind a car as the security gaurd came out to inspect what we'd done, but couldn't find the note! It was a blast. Also, it was after that particular trip that Jeff and I started dating!
A few more trips I ought to mention, but these don't involve the Phan quartet. I apologize that the dates of these stories aren't exactly in chronological order!The first, my roommate Celia and I drove to NYC (from Michigan!) for a phan weekend in the summer of 2000 (August). We stayed at the house of another phan, named Ben. Ben and I went to the evening show of Phantom Saturday. We bought our tickets on a whim walking past the theatre. We also went to a matinee the next day, while Celia went to see 'Rent'. The three of us went to a Phan luncheon, also attended by James Rommick, the u/s Phantom who was performing that weekend. We had met him the day before, and he was very funny, and very friendly. In fact, he ended up telling me a few things that, the following day, he made sure to ask me not to repeat! And I will not repeat them - sorry to any phan hoping I would! But, just as an example, he is very, very friendly and nice. He also took Ben, Celia, myself and a few others on a backstage tour after the luncheon. We had to be a bit sneaky though, as he'd told the other phans at the gathering there would be no tours that day - hehe, well we appreciate his making an exception for our little group! (Again, pics are in the PhanPics section)
I went to Europe in the summer of 2000, and visited London and Paris. Of course, I spent time at the Paris Opera. I was lucky to attend the opening night of 'Giselle' from gorgeous box seats! Box number 27, on the third tier. My sister went with me. Strangely, I found out the Jeff went to the closing night of the production only a week later - but we just missed each other! Obviously, this was before we were dating. I also saw Phantom in London for the first time! I dressed in my Victorian clothes for this occassion as well. I think my family was too jet-lagged to care!
Jeff and I went to Europe in the summer of 2001 as well. We saw Phantom twice in London, once from the last row of the highest balcony, and once from front row, center. We also went to the Paris Opera, and had a bit of an adventure there. We spent quite a lot of time exploring the building - especially sneaking into areas where we were not supposed to be! We also took a bit of the building home with us! We'd noticed a ballustrade knocked out from the front of the building on our first day there, and said that if it was still there on our last day, we would take it with us. Needless to say, it was still there 5 days later, broken and laying in two pieces. We snuck to the Opera at 1am, and making sure no one was watching, took the pieces, and hid them in a backpack and jacket respectively and made off with them! We had to carry these pieces to London, and then back to Canada. They were insanely heavy! One was probably 50 pounds, and the other 30. We were soooo sore from carrying them! I could hardly move my arms! But it was worth it... and for those thinking how awful we were, don't worry, the piece was broken, and it was not made of marble, only common cement. We also noted that there were several replacements sitting on the side of the building waiting to be put in, so please don't be too angry!
