[jcstar]

Okay, I took my 14 year old cousin Meg with me. Her first time at Phantom, my third time.

Opening announcement:
"The role of Joesph Bouquet will be played by an understudy (forget the name) and the role of the Phantom will be played by Stepehn Tewksbury. The use of recording devices of any kind is strictly prohibited by copyright laws. Photgraphy is prohibited. Flash photography is distracting to the performers and EXTREMELY ANNOYING tio people around you!!!"

This was repeated in French.

PROLOGUE: Decent auctioneer. I have yet to figure out why he says "Your number sir?" and "I am bid." and all that. Raoul (Greg Mills) sang his part well.
OVERTURE: I completely ignored the chandelier as I wanted to watch the set change.
HANIBAL: Carlotta Kim Stengel) was very funny. A little less arrogant for my taste, but oh well. Piangi (John Whitney) bothered me. He acts well, but his voice sounded like Alvin from the Chipmunks.
THINK OF ME: Christine (Marni Raab) was great - but she seemed tired. I like her though. She's not as operatic as other Christine's I have seen. I could listen to her sing all night.
ANGELK OF MUSIC/LITTLE LOTTE: Meg (Polly Biard) was good. I actually heard her lines. Giry Rebecca Judd) was quite good). Raoul and Christine had nice chemestry onstage.
THE MIRROR: Stephen is amazing. I couldn't wait for...
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA: Well sung by both. I couldn't tell when they switched to live singing, though. That's a good thing.
MUSIC OF THE NIGHT: Very well sung. A touching rendition. This guy is good.
I REMEMBER/STRANGER: I wanted more anger in the Phantom here. But his "fear can turn to love" was very... psychotic sounding. You had to be there.
LASSOO: Nothing special.
NOTES 1: The onlyh complaint I have (and always with this number) is that whoever runs the soundboard ALWAYS botches the mix. I can always hear the Managers (D.C. Anderson and John Kuether), Carlotta, Raoul and Piangi. but Meg and Giry are never heard. A very entertaining scene. (I saw Stepehen on the catwalk during his part)
IL MUTO: My cousin was waiting for the chandelier to fall. I never cared for the song, so I just ignore it.
ALL I ASK OF YOU: Not the best performance, but they did what they could with a boring song.
I GAVE YOU MY MUSIC: Stephen was VERY emotional here. I could feel his pain. The chandelier crash was good. I want to fall a little faster though.

------------------INTERMISSION-------------------
After watching the chandelier go back up, we wnent and bought some merchandise and drinks. Meg said that she wants the chandelier in her house when she gets one. It will hang in her living room.

ENTR'ACTE: We missed half of it due to still buying merchandise and drinks... and a stop at the washrooms.
MASQUARADE: as we stepped on poeople's toes getting back to our seats, we saw this number. We saw three actors trip and fall down the staircase. Very good and colourful scene.
WHY SO SILENT?: No reaction from the cast at all. It was like... "Oh... it's just the Phantom." The lights went out as Stephen made his exit under the stage. I failed to see the Red Death double coming down when the lights came back up.
NOTE 2: sme as NOTES 1.
TWISTED EVERY WAY: My favourite version of the song. I wish she could sing it twice.
DON JUAN: Nothing sopecial
THE GRAVEYARD: see above.
WISHING YOU WERE SOMEHOW HERE AGAIN: Brilliant performance!! She made me cry. I am in love with her voice.
WONDERING CHILD: Very good. I really dislike the trio... glad they don't do it here.
BRAVO: This was fun to watch. Stephen was trigger happy. He fored three orm four fireballs at once. Raoul even added some ad libs. Christine almost got set on fire at one point.
BACKSTAGE: Hilarious scene. Very comical. (More ad libbing by Raoul)
POINT OF NO RETURN: I have to say that this was the show stopper. VERY SEXY. Outstanding duet.
UNMASKING: When the Phantom is revealed, the stage is littered with police, Raoul, etc. Christine calls them off. Why?
LAIR: Wow! What a scene! Had me in tears by the end. We applauded Stephen after he sang his final line.

After the show, IK took Meg to the stage door and we got autographs from every castmember we could get. Mills, Tewksbury and Raab all came out at the exact same time. They were very nice and signed our prgrammes.

Wev thanked each castmember for a wonderful night of entertainment. It seems to me they don't get that too often. The looks of bewilderment told thsat story, but they all apriciated it.

The orchestra was excellent. We counted 8 people. And they sound like a full one. Incredible. For some reason, the percussion section was hidden from view in the pit.

Meg's comment to Tewksbury: This was my first time at Phantom. You were great. I want the chandelier for my living room."

Her review of the show: "It was awesome."

Andy.

[exT]

Stephen Tewksbury was excellent! i was very impressed. saw the show for my 3rd time last tuesday.. my 2nd time was earlier this year when the tour hit toronto, and i saw sal sabella (another u/s) as phantom. i found stephen much better. stronger voice, and more tormented performance than sal.

my first time seeing the show was back in 92, the canadian tour. i saw an u/s back then too.. his name is long gone for me though.. so 3 times seeing the show, and an u/s phantom every time..

i still love it though. tewksbury was the best so far.

[exT]

"The role of Joesph Bouquet will be played by an understudy (forget the name) "

it was william patrick dunne on tuesday. not sure what night you went.. funny thing is, i saw him in the cats tour in the mid-90's, playing alonso, and he totally resembled alonso with those big mutton chops that bouquet has to wear. but alas, old deutoronomy was nowhere to be found that night.

[The Very Angry Woman]