different interpretations of the musical?
For you Phantom fanatics (phanatics?), I was wondering if you'd like to share the weird quirks of different shows you've seen. A week ago, I saw Phantom in Las Vegas at the Venetian hotel. My boyfriend took me there for Valentine's Day.
It was soooo different from any other Phantom show I've seen. They shortened it so that there was no intermission! (I know, right?) They left out a couple songs like "The Magical Lasso" and omitted the verses of several others. I was most miffed that they left out the scene where Piangi is rehearsing for the Phantom's new opera and cannot sing on key! :D That's one of my favorites! They also left out the famous line "your hand at the level of your eyes". Boo.
But...being Vegas...they made this Phantom visually spectacular. As a segue between what would usually be the first and second acts, they blew up fireworks RIGHT THERE in the theater! And the Phantom had lots of pyrotechnics surrounding him as well. When he would disappear or fire a gun, there would always be a spray of sparks.
I had mixed feelings about it. The pyrotechnics gave the show a punch it often lacks in other venues. The opening scene when we're transported back in time and the broken chandelier repairs itself was AMAZING. Very techno with all the flashing lights and organ music, but in an unspeakably cool way. Of course, there were times when I felt it was blasphemy to mess with the original score so much. I understand omitting some dialogue. But leaving out three full verses of "Masquerade"? Or even "Angel of Music"? (In general, I feel like Meg has such a diminished role in the musical anyways...they could do a lot more with her...that it's insulting to take away the few instances where she has quality singing time with Christine.) The Finale was also shortened and it really frustrated me cuz I didn't get the time to work up to the emotional pitch that really makes the Phantom's decision such a heart-breaker.
Other times, I felt the omissions worked. For example, they left out one verse of "Music of the Night." Okay, I get that it's the Phantom's signature song, but I'm sorry...that song DRAGS on forever. There's only so much that the actor can do onstage while he's singing; shortening it helped keep my attention. (On that note, I wish directors would be more creative in what they stage during "All I Ask of You"...sure Christine and Raoul are in love, but the song is four minutes long, and all they do is stare into each others' eyes the whole time.) "Prima Donna" also IMO benefited from its shortening because 1) the interweaving of the multiple lines can be confusing if you've never heard it before, and often, you can't follow any one line so it just sounds like gibberish and 2) it's hard to stage anything that can keep the audience's interest for that long (the Phantom movie, btw, did an awesome job keeping all the lyrics AND staging an over-the-top spectacle.)
That said, most of the emotional touchstones were there. I got a lump in my throat every time I heard the monkey/music box play it tinny tune. There were definitely times when I was scared of the Phantom (unfortunately, I wasn't close enough to the stage to see his face when Christine unmasks him). I felt more sympathy for Raoul in this production than I did in the movie. (shudder) And I burst into tears during that last line when Christine returns to the Phantom after he's freed her, and he sings "Christine, I loooove you"....and his voice BREAKS. It was absolutely heart-breaking.
Well I've babbled on enough. Sorry, it's one of my favorite musicals. Anyone else want to share?
