Review: Phantom of the Opera, U.S. Tour, Columbus (March 11, 2014, evening).

[phantomdaae1981]

Review:  Phantom of the Opera, U.S. Tour, Columbus (March 11, 2014, evening).
Phantom: Cooper Grodin.
Christine: Celia Hottenstein.
Raoul: Ben Jacoby.
Andre: Edward Staudenmayer.
Firmin: Craig Bennett.
Carlotta: Amy Justman (understudy).
Madame Giry: Christy Morton (understudy).
Meg: Hannah Florence.
Piangi: Edward Juvier (understudy).

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Comments

Re: POTO US Tour Review

[macanuni]

First, thank you for the detailed report. I don't know how you and others remember so much. I had to see the show twice to get some things straight

Re: POTO US Tour Review

[phantomdaae1981]

Thanks for your reply and thoughts! You reminded me of a couple of things I had forgotten, particularly when The Phantom was choking Christine. I was not pleased with that, at all. And, yes, I suppose when he held her down on the bed, his intent was probably rape :-( I just REALLY am appalled by that characterization, and I'm therefore relieved that he didn't continue to hold her down, etc.

I definitely miss the former mystery and magic of The Phantom, too. I think the original US tour was a good blend. The Phantom used to have so many moments of powerful mystery, which alternated with more human moments of despair. I agree, though; it seems that the changes are in the new direction, rather than a personal choice by the actor.

[phantomdaae1981]

Now that I've finished my review, I'm finally listening to the "bootleg" recording I downloaded form a kind Tumblr member, from a February 26. Julie Udine is Christine, so she's not the Christine I saw. But The Phantom is Cooper Grodin, etc.

I must admit, I'm enjoying Cooper Grodin much more LISTENING to him, because I'm not seeing the current direction for The Phantom's physical behavior. I'm able to appreciate his voice more now. It's a shame, really... I think Cooper Grodin might have been much more impressive under the original direction!

[collectingbees]

This sounds a lot like the bad changes they made to the Les Miz staging. I loved Cooper in Les Miz, he was a fantastic Combeferre. I a,
M glad to see he makes a pretty good Phantom, though I wanna see Norm Lewis as Phantom.