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re: Why is THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA B'ways longest-running musical?

Posted by: WaHiGuy 03:00 pm EDT 10/30/15
In reply to: Why is THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA B'ways longest-running musical? - GrumpyMorningBoy 02:32 pm EDT 10/30/15

I had an opportunity a few years back to see PHANTOM again, and what struck me at the time was that you really got "your money's worth." The orchestra sounds lush, the sets are impressive and numerous and the costumes beautiful. I got the sense they spent a lot on what the audience sees. Nothing was pared down, scaled back or scrimped on.

Its also a show (IMO)that doesn't require you to pay much attention. If there's a language barrier, you will get caught up in the music. If you drift off a bit, the plot isn't all that intricate. You can catch up easily. It's an accessible show.


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This is spot on.

Posted by: ShowGoer 04:00 pm EDT 10/30/15
In reply to: re: Why is THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA B'ways longest-running musical? - WaHiGuy 03:00 pm EDT 10/30/15

I know people who genuinely don't like the show who, for whatever reason, have had to go back to see it again, sometimes after years, and grudgingly admit it's a lot of bang for the buck, and again, as WaHiGuy says, not that taxing. It's sort of the more high-falutin' version of what we used to pejoratively call a "tired businessman's show". In the past those generally referred to things like 42nd St, with lots of tap dancing or what-have-you. Here, it's familiar tunes in lush trappings.

One prominent person in the business who is very picky, and critical of music in particular, and who was never a fan of the show, went back recently and said to me, "You know what? In the end, it's just a great night out."


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re: Why is THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA B'ways longest-running musical?

Posted by: henny 03:10 pm EDT 10/30/15
In reply to: re: Why is THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA B'ways longest-running musical? - WaHiGuy 03:00 pm EDT 10/30/15

Agreed. To quote a friend, "You really know you've seen a Broadway show!"


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re: Why is THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA B'ways longest-running musical?

Posted by: mikem 04:31 pm EDT 10/30/15
In reply to: re: Why is THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA B'ways longest-running musical? - henny 03:10 pm EDT 10/30/15

I recently hosted an overseas visitor, who wanted to see his first Broadway show. He saw An American in Paris. His English is not great, and there is no strong tradition of ballet back home. He found the show underwhelming. Then he saw Phantom, and he was over the moon. It was exactly what he thought a Broadway show would be like. (It also helped that he had seen the movie so could easily follow the plot.)

Phantom, like The Mousetrap in London, has become a self-perpetuating tourist attraction that is a long-running show because it is a long-running show, if you know what I mean. But I also think most people leave pretty satisfied.


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re: Why is THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA B'ways longest-running musical?

Posted by: Zelgo 06:09 pm EDT 10/30/15
In reply to: re: Why is THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA B'ways longest-running musical? - mikem 04:31 pm EDT 10/30/15

It had a very melodious, accessible score, Webber's best.

So many of the tunes have become standards so, even if watching it for the first time, the music seems familiar.

I went back a few years ago. I thought the tempos were slowed somewhat, which robbed the performance of momentum. Plus, the theatre needs to be dusted.


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