How many times? [opera]

[Meg Giry]

I was wondering if anyone here has seen the stage play more than once, and where you have seen it?

I've seen the show once, at the Opera House in Manchester in...1999, I think it was? I can't remember offhand, but it was an excellent production. The Phantom was played by Peter Karrie, who was apprently voted best Phantom a few times. He was really good, and this is coming from a Michael Crawford fan here.

Anyone else?

[The Phantom]

I've only seen Phantom on stage once, and that was in New York at the Majestic Theatre I believe. I went with my marching band on a spring trip a year ago and I got the chance to see it live. :)

I would have seen it twice but the second time I went to New York there weren't enough people interested in seeing the show to buy tickets in our group. :(

When the show comes back around sometime or another to North Carolina in the States I'm definitely driving up there to see it. :)

[Meg Giry]

I'm really tempted to go on a weekend theatre break in Lodnon, where Phantom is still in its long term residency. The guy they have playing the Phantom at the moment is only young but apparently superb.

[cinty]

I, sadly have never had an opportunity to see it on stage. It last showed in Sydney when I was only 8 (I'm 15 now) and as my parents never saw it or anything, I never had an opportunity to be introduced to it until I saw the wonderful movie! But, the show is coming back to Sydney in 2007. I can't wait!!!

[The Phantom]

The year 2007 may seem like a long time from now for some people but it will be here before you know it! I'm not really sure what times or dates that the travelling opera company that does Phantom all around the United States would be coming here, I remember they came in 2002 and that's all I've heard of. I missed it that time around sadly.

[cinty]

yes, I know, it will come quickly i'm sure. I am so looking forward to it!

[The Khanum]

I saw it once on Broadway...it was absolutely amazing. I want to go back and see it again with my one friend who's never even been to NYC (poor gal). I thought the play itself was really good... And that chandelier part... ::wipes sweat from brow:: That was quite a nice touch.

[Selenity]

I have seen it *live* 5 times. If we are counting shoes we have admired, then 6.

- San Fransisco (1994)
- Seattle (1996)
- 2 times in Portland, OR (2002)
- Seattle (2003)

The first time I saw the show was when I was 8. I'm now 19.

Sincerely,
Selenity

[Masked Shadows]

Hmm... Well I have only SEEN the show one time. WHen it came here to Madison, WI this year I saw it (5th row!) and 2 nights before I had watched it from backstage with wasn't really as nice but I did get to see some people who I used to know (Madame Giry & 2 of the Degas Dancers)

When I was 5 I saw it with a Nanny but fell asleep beacuse I had heard the music so many times it was like... I don't know just not a big deal. From when I was born we toured with Raoul National Tour 1991-1996 till i was 5.

[wolfwynd]

I've only seen it once - 1st Feb 2005 but it was the best day of my life - I got to meet, and have my photo taken, with John Owen-Jones (anyone sensing a pattern here... :P)

[ladyghost]

I've seen it more than 12 times in Madrid and London.
Ladyghost.

[Silhouette]

Ive seen it 5 times all on broadway, the first time I was like 10 years old the next 4 were all sometime within the last year lol. One was june of last year as a reward for qualifying for nationals (for gymnastics) one was a birthday gift from my best friend whos also obsessed, the other 2 times were more recent and school trips. I never get sick of it though.

[IamErik771]

Originally posted by The Phantom
[B]I've only seen Phantom on stage once, and that was in New York at the Majestic Theatre I believe. I went with my marching band on a spring trip a year ago and I got the chance to see it live. :)

My school band did the same thing, and at the same time!!! Except I couldn't afford to go. :( If only I had a plane ticket to NYC or London right now, so I could go and see it. Or if they brought the show to Hawaii again... ;)

[Angel of Darkness]

I've seen the show twice. Once with my mom and sister when I was 6 or 7 and then again with my school in grade 6. I remember most of it, surprisingly, and I loved seeing it onstage.

[Masked Shadows]

Well my first actual time seeing it was with my Nanny and I fell asleep part way through but hey, i was only five. I don't know what city we where in. The first time i saw the whole thing through was from backstage at the Stage Manager's booth when it came here to Madison. I then saw it again with my best friend, Mary Kate. We had 4th row center seats. Those are the only times I saw it discluding the times I went when my parents were working the tour.

[Night feather]

Wow, five times!
I've only managed to get to see it once, at her majesty's in London, when we were at vacation there.

Amazing, Celia Graham and John Owen Jones, fantastic. There is a completely different kind of dynamicy to the stage show than there is in the movie. John Owen Jones is my favorite phantom of all time, he has the voice of an angel, really he does, all theower and danger required in the phantom.

Gerry was good, and I love his voice, but he can't fill an entire stage with his voice. but he was better on the acting point of view.

I ask again, is there anyoen who know where I can foind sound recordings of John Owen Jones as the phantom? I woudl so much liek to hear.

[Gypsy]

I've seen it three times so far and I've got tickets for my fourth time :D

1st time in Antwerp in Belgium (Belgian Production) in february 3rd 2000

2nd time in Antwerp in Belgium march 1st 2000 (I know, I know twice in one month... I can't help it; it was love at first sight :D)

3rd time in London november 2002

4th time in London Octobre 14th 2005 (44 days to go)

[The_Persian]

I have seen it once, in London... it was FABULOUS... well, from what I can remember... I was fairly young.

I am going to see it again soon though!!:D

[phantoms_nemo]

Well, I just came back from London and Scotland and I went to go see Phantom less than 2 weeks ago at Her Majesty's Theatre. 4 rows away perfect view of everything. I would expect that because we payed over 150$ canadian for 1 ticket. The Phantom had his moment. Earl Carpenter isn't my phantom lets leave it at that. Rachel Barrell was one of the best Christines i have heard and Raoul was played by the understudy Tom Solomon. I dont see why he isnt always Raoul. He was actually really good and I preferred him over Wilson. I'd go back to see it again any day.

[xzach]

I've seen the show 24 times. That's a total time from seeing it in NY, London, Japan, Mexico, and on tour!:D :nod:

- xzach :tp2: :tp3: :thumb:

[operafreak84]

I've lost count of how many times I've seen the show...I need to count my programs.

[Lady Raithe]

I've had the pleasure of seeing the stage show twice. The first time in San Francisco the very last time it was there (I can't remember the year). I thought the Orpheum was a big theatre! Earlier this year I went on a class trip to NYC and went, by myself, to a matinee of POTO. I paid $100 to sit in the seventh row, orchestra and am I glad I did!!! I ended up sitting a few rows behind Michael Crawford, and having the understudy call in sick...therefore giving me Hugh Panaro up close!!! It was amazing, and I couldn't stop myself from crying at the end when HP fell on his knees to bust out that last line: "...It's over now, the Music of the Night!" *faints*

[Ms Christine Daae]

I have seen the Broadway show 10 times :)

Each time, I fall in love it all over again.

I have been a Phan my entire life it seems ...

[YoungGiry]

I've seen it twice, both times on Broadway. Once in 2003 and once last March. But I will be seeing it again a week from today!

[TeeJay]

I've seen it once last year...wow, it amazing! I hope to see it plenty of times in the future. Been a phan for about a year now.

TeeJay
www.eriks-phans.tk

[Phantompherak12]

I have seen it twice on stage. I don't remember who the Phantom was but he was AMAZING!!!!

[Black Ribbon]

I have seen it two times. The first with Michal Crawford, the second with.......I forgot. I thought that Michal Crawford was better though!

[Silhouette]

Ive now seen it 6 times:) My boyfriend took me for my birthday. Im also going to see it in April again im taking my best friend for her birthday and xmas! Im so excited

[AAW0487]

I have seen it three times. Once in my hometown, which was decent, but they killed the Phantom so I didn't particularily care for it. Second time was New York City, which was amazing and spectacular. Then finally, Cinnci. at Chirstmas time, and it was a step down from what New York had offered, but still very good.

[realityisdull]

i saw it for the first time a week ago, and was blown away, truely magical!

already planning the next one!!

[EbonyMaid]

I've seen the stage version a total of 3 times, all from the touring company... I've had the pleasure of viewing Brad Little twice as the Phantom/Erik and then saw Gary Mauer for the last time. Each performance was emaculate... I never get sick of this musical!

[lisalawless]

I have only see the show once which was in April just gone. My boyfriend suprised me for my birthday. It was amazing truely breathing. Rachel Barrell played Christine and she was wonderful, she was crying at the final sense, which made my waterworks go into over drive!! Earl Carpeter was The Phantom and he was brillant.

[Night feather]

To celebrate my second time having seen phantom on stage, i'll post a small review here.

We were actually a little late for the performance, but when the portier slammed open the doors as the overture started, it just enhanced the goosebump effect of that piece, so being late wasn't that bad.

Racehl Barrel who played Christine was spectacular. Her voice was lush, full and easily portrayed Christine's conflictign emotions, I perhaps missed some of the more fragile soprano notes in her voice, but she made up for that in every other aspect.

David Shannon as Raoul was amazing as well, finally a visual version who managed to give a proper portrayal of Raoul, and who made it understandable why Christine falls for him. I loved him for it.

But what impresssed me and moved me the most was, not surprisingly, the Phantom, who was played by Earl Carpenter, and he didn't just play Erik, he was Erik. I fell absolutely in love with Earl's voice. It was rich, it was haunting, it was hypnotic, it was angry, it was heartbroken, it was deranged, everything the voice of the phantom has to be. He was perhaps a little insecure in the highest notes, but it didn't matter.

Especially "Music of the night" and the final lair scene moved me beyond words. Also point of no return more than exeeded my expectations, he was sexy, he was opressive, he was scary and vulnerable all at the same time. Though voice isn't enough, the singer playing the phantom also has to be a good actor, and Earl is that as well, again he pulled of the lair scene so heartbreakingly beautiful that I couldn't help crying. Not only is phantom my favorite musical it is also my favorite book (Susan Kay's version) and I saw Erik from that book become alive on the stage as well. When he took a hold of Rachel Barrell/Christine's arm when she came to return his ring it just moved me into my soul. And my God, his and Rachel Barrell's voices was just perfect together, every duet was breathtaking.

So if you're going to London, you must not miss the experience of seing Earl Carpenter as the Phantom, you can't find a better one in the role.

Edit: Having just seen the above post.... Weeeee Lisa, another one who saw the wonder of Earl Carpenter, don't you agree with me?

[o_O;]

I've only seen it once and that was a few weeks ago, July 7, in London. I do plan on seeing it again some time. :)

[The Floor]

NEVER!!!! But I will in October. WHASHOULDIWEAR??? ^______^

[Lucy Westenra]

I've only seen it once, last month and I loved it to death. I'm saving to see it again next year with my family. The cast was John Cudia, Marie Danvers and Adam Monley. They were all wonderful! Marie Danvers is my favorite Christine of all time.

[ForbiddenRomance]

I'm going to see it on Broadway on Sept. 5!!! I'm sooooooooooo excited!!!! I got good tickets too. Row F! YAY!!! :D

EDIT - I saw it and i LOVED it!!!! It was amazing!!!!!!!! Better then I thought it could be!

[Victoria]

*sigh* I've only seen it once in the Forrest Theater in Philly (about 30 minutes away from my house with little traffic) with John Cudia and Marni Raab. I was so amazing!

I want to see it on Broadway so badly!

[MllePaula]

After waiting half a lifetime to see it, I made up for the long wait by seeing it quite a few times...all but once on Broadway.

April 9 2005 (matinee) - Hugh Panaro, Marie Danvers, John Cudia
June 28, 2005 (matinee) - Hugh Panaro, Julie Hanson, Tim Martin Gleason
July 9, 2005 (evening) - Hugh Panaro, Sandra Joseph, Tim Martin Gleason
July 17, 2005 (matinee) - Hugh Panaro, Rebecca Pitcher, Tim Martin Gleason
July 29, 2005 (evening) - Hugh Panaro, Sandra Joseph, Tim Martin Gleason
August 4, 2005 (evening) - Stephen Buntrock, Sandra Joseph, Tim Martin Gleason
August 22, 2005 (evening) - Hugh Panaro, Sandra Joseph, Tim Martin Gleason
August 31, 2005 (matinee) - Hugh Panaro, Rebecca Pitcher, Tim Martin Gleason
September 10, 2005 (matinee) - Hugh Panaro, Rebecca Pitcher, Tim Martin Gleason
September 12, 2005 (evening) - Hugh Panaro, Rebecca Pitcher, Tim Martin Gleason
September 14, 2005 (matinee) - Hugh Panaro, ????, Tim Martin Gleason
September 14, 2005 (evening) - Hugh Panaro, Kris Koop, Tim Martin Gleason
September 24, 2005 (matinee) - Hugh Panaro, Susan Owen, Tim Martin Gleason
September 28, 2005 (matinee) - Hugh Panaro, Susan Owen, Tim Martin Gleason
October 1, 2005 (matinee) - Hugh Panaro, Susan Owen, Tim Martin Gleason
October 1, 2005 (evening) - Hugh Panaro, Sandra Joseph, Tim Martin Gleason
January 9, 2006 (record-breaking performance) - Howard McGillin, Sandra Joseph, Tim Martin Gleason
February 25, 2006 (matinee - tour) - Gary Mauer, Elizabeth Southard, Jim Weitzer
July ??, 2006 (matinee) - Howard McGillin, Rebecca Pitcher, Michael Shawn Lewis

And, yes, I did that from memory.

[marissamayhem]

I sadly haven't seen the stage version of the show. My mom said that she would send some friends and me to NYC to see a broadway show, so I'm definitely picking POTO. :D

[PhantomonaBudget]

I've seen it 15 times, 14 of which were the US Tour in various cities, and once on Broadway.

[Madame le Courayer]

I'd like to get the opinion of all those who have the show live. What age is the youngest you would say a kid could enjoy the show? Ten to twelve? Older? Younger? I am asking because I may have an opportunity to go see it in NY this year and need to know whether or not I need a babysitter or another ticket! :)
Thanks.

[xXphantomaddictedXx]

So far, I have seen it once in Vegas at the Venetian Hotel this past March. It was truly amazing and I am never going to forget my first experience with Phantom. I actually will be seeing it for a second time where I live on June 6, 2008. I am really looking forward to my second experience with Phantom! :D

[IamErik771]

I'd like to get the opinion of all those who have the show live. What age is the youngest you would say a kid could enjoy the show? Ten to twelve? Older? Younger? I am asking because I may have an opportunity to go see it in NY this year and need to know whether or not I need a babysitter or another ticket! :)
Thanks.

I've not seen the show live, but I have seen video clips of some of the more intense scenes . . . I think it's fine for a kid of age 10-12; personally, I'd be perfectly fine with even taking a 7- or 8-year-old to see it. :)

I read in an article about Peter Karrie (who played Erik in Toronto and the UK), saying that he first took his son Adam to see him as the Phantom at age 5. Little Adam loved the show, but during intermission, berated his father for yelling at Christine during "Stranger Than You Dreamt It":

When five-year-old Adam Karrie first saw his father in the full makeup of his disfigured character, The Phantom of the Opera, he was not at all frightened by the transformation in his good-looking dad. But after he watched the first act of the musical, in which the Phantom rages at the heroine, Christine Daae, the tiny Adam did some raging of his own in the dressing room. "How dare you shout at that lovely lady!!" he admonished his father.

Isn't that adorable? :D

[Madame le Courayer]

That is priceless! Thanks for that story. Kids say the darndest...

I am not so much worried about her being scared...she wasn;t scared of Lon or Claud or Gerry. I guess I'm worried it'll be over her head or she'll get bored or fidgety....Oh and sorry for getting off topic! Carry on!

[The Countess]

Also from experiance, I was reading the book and really getting into it when I was 9 so, yeah.

I'm soooo excited! It's offical, I'm seeing Phantom in July and *drumroll* we're getting ORCH tickets! That's right, be jealous ;)

[dreamsofbeauty]

I've seen the show forty times now. It never gets old for me. :)

[Queen of the Unknown]

I've only seen it once, just a few weeks ago, in Sacrameno, CA, with Stephen Tewkesbury as Erik, Sara Jean Ford as Christine, and Greg Mills as Raoul. Loved it, too!

[WanderingChild<3]

I've seen it 11 times :)

[tiannangel]

Dayum you lucky ppl :D...

I've only seen it once this year for my bday, on the 15th June...

AND I WANNA GO WATCH IT AGAIN!!
It's highly addictive...the special effects and all the costumes were awesome, and the actors/actresses were BRILLIANT!

Unfortunately, its a 2 year tour in Australia and New Zealand, so after this year, I have no idea whether its gonna come back again...*Cries*
I hope it does though....I wanna watch again!

[angelgirl]

Sadly, I have only seen it once, but I hope to be seeing it again someday!
Still, you can never forget your first time, Broadway or not!
A.G.

[Eriksmasquerade]

The record so far is 5. Hopefully will be able to go next month for viewing number six.

[Kojinka]

I've seen it twice. First in Des Moines, second time at the Majestic when I went to my college's New York City May Term (I wish we had gotten better seats, though.)

[The Countess]

My last post stated that I was going to see the production in July of last year...unfortuantly that did not work out. HOWEVER we are seeing Howard McGillin's last show in New York. Yes, we bought the tickets (15 row ORCH) and it's truely offical this time.

This will be my second proud time :)

[The Countess]

I can now die happy because not only have I now see Phantom twice, but I saw it on Broadway and it was Howard's last show *dies...but happily*

[Eriklover]

I seen it on Broadway 4 times. but my goal is to get to 20 and see what happens from there. I dont think my mom or dad would be in favor of me seeing it 20 times or more!

[Colonel Landa]

I seen it on Broadway 4 times. but my goal is to get to 20 and see what happens from there. I dont think my mom or dad would be in favor of me seeing it 20 times or more!

20 times?! That would be utterly amazing! In the London video about PotO's 20th or 21st anniversary, a few ofthe women interviewed said they had seen the show well over a hundred times! Now that is commitment. A little crazy, but incredible nonetheless.

Alas, I have seen it but once. Still, it is a performance I will never forget.

[XxLe FantomexX]

I have seen Phantom twice, the first, in Tulsa, OK, oct, 2008. With Richard Todd Adams as Phantom...the second time, in St. Louis (yes, I went ALL the way to St. Louis from Oklahoma to see Phantom!) in Oct. of 2009, with Tim Martin Gleason as Phantom...and I got his autograph! :DD

[KChan88]

I've seen PoTO twice, and will see it for the third time tomorrow! I first saw it on tour in Jacksonville, FL for my high school graduation present, then went to London and saw it on West End last summer, and now will see it on tour in Atlanta, GA. I think I could see it 100 times, however, and still want to see it again. :spin2:

[Prigipissa]

I've seen the US tour once (can't remember the cast, but it was in 2008). I've seen the current London cast about 4 times (Three with Ramin as the title role, and with, of course, Gina Beck as Christine- and the fourth time was with David Shannon). I've seen Robyn North, Leila Benn Harris and luckily, Katie Hall- and all the ones I've seen in the London one were amazing. So, 8 times it is!

[Lady of Music]

Erm I think, last time I counted, I have seen it five times in London and hopefully I am going to see it again later this month before Simon Bailey leaves

[Eriklover]

Just saw Phantom a 5th time on Saterday evening the 4th. It was John Cudia and Jennifer Hope Wills last day. And i HAD to see it. What a spectacular Performance by them. Simply stuning!

[angelofmusic223]

I have seen the show in Vegas two times. I've thought both times were both entrancing, and did a great job! I hope to see the New York version one day, and since we live near Denver I am hoping that some day the production will come the the Buell, but since I first saw the stage production, I have fallen in love ever since!

[Her Phantom's Music]

I had the pleasure of going to see POTO for the first time on stage a few months ago when I went back to England. At Her Majesty's Theatre in London. It was absolutely wonderful! I would love to go and see it agian if I got the chance.