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[FJL]

And one for Walter

[FJL]

(Willison that is)

[FJL]

Did you know Bruce Willis' real name is Walter Willis?

[Matt H.]

Have some writing to finish up, so I'll get to that and then head downstairs to bed.

Good night!

[JoseSPiano]

Good Evening!

Happy July Fourth! -from/for the East Coast, that is.

[JoseSPiano]

bk - You have mail, although after reading the posts, it's a moot point.  Or would that be a "mute" point?  Or both?

[JoseSPiano]

Ah, yes, Piece of Chicken, I have mentioned that previously - how soon ye forget.  

They originally started out just by selling pieces of fried chicken.  They were basically selling off the extra pieces from the kitchen of Jezebel.  You plunked down a dollar, they gave you a piece of chicken.  And they chose whether you got a breast, wing, thigh, or leg.

After a couple of weeks of being in business, they started to expand their menu: piece of catfish, chicken livers, rib tips, collards, mac'n'cheese (good, but on the sweet side, imho), chicken soup, corn muffins, etc.  And they also started letting people specify which piece of chicken they would like.  All in all, a very happy and welcome enterprise.

[JoseSPiano]

DR Cason - Thanks for the pics!  But where are the pics of your po-po and hee-hah?  

[JoseSPiano]

DR MBarnum - Glad to know you made it home safe and sound, and that you had a great ride to the airport.  -And just imagine if you had booked an earlier pick-up time?  You might have ended up with a Bollywood-hating Brooklyn-ite.  

*And, remember: Keep up the walking!

[JoseSPiano]

And speaking of walking... I guess I did do a lot of walking last week.  I stepped on the scale this morning expecting the worse, only to find that I had lost a pound.  I guess HHW gatherings are not only good for my spirits, but good for my waistline too!

[JoseSPiano]

So... DR Rodzinski - Have I missed a cookie report?

[JoseSPiano]

So, as DR Jason mentioned, I did indeed go to the put-in rehearsal for Kevin Worley.  It went quite well, and I was able to congratulate him after the show too at the stage door.  And we also supped as Westway Diner.  The fries were particular tasty tonight.

And then I saw Frost/Nixon....

WOW!!!!!!!

I had no idea what to expect, and, frankly, I was blown away by the whole production.  The writing, the acting(!), the technical elements - a true WHOLE.  I remember studying Watergate, Vietnam, Cambodia, etc., in high school, and I even vaguely remember the actual broadcasts of the Frost-Nixon interviews, but tonight, sitting in that theater, there were times when I did not know what was going to come next - true suspense!  The pacing of the play is quite simply masterful, and Michael Sheen and Frank Langella keep that internal clock ticking the whole time, along with the rest of that immensely talented ensemble.

It's running for a few more weeks, and I think I may try to see it again.

[JoseSPiano]

While sitting in The Jacobs, I could also sense - and sometimes hear - a very palpable visceral reaction from some of the audience members who had obviously lived through that era and had been affected by it.  There were small cheers every now and then when a flaw of Richard Nixon was highlighted, and there were even some hushed boos when comments were made about the great losses of life - on both sides - during the Vietnam War.  And during the one pivotal moment toward the end of the play, it was literally one of those "you could hear a pin drop" moments.  Now that's great theatre!

[Cillaliz]

How's the baby tonight, Cillaliz?

He's in ICU actually. Even though he was over 7 pounds he is a preemie and his blood sugar was a little low.  They aren't too concerned about it and he should be able to go home on Thursday.  My nephew is just plain giddy, they all are. It's really too cute for words. He actually said that he couldn't wait to change the diapers on his changing table, lol. He really will too.

[TCB]

The first time I became acquainted with PHANTOM OF THE OPERA was when I purchased the two-CD complete version of the Original London Cast.  Although I enjoyed a lot of the music (sorry, a guilty pleasure), I found that I didn't listen to the CDs very often because there was so much filler on the two CD set, that I often found my mind wandering while listening.  Then I discovered the one CD, OLC recording of PHANTOM.  What a difference!  The one CD version became one of my favorite listening pleasures; and it still remains so today.

I have previously seen the stage version of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA three times.  I saw two National touring productions in Seattle; as well as the Broadway production.  (Again, a guilty pleasure.)  However, even seeing the show live on stage, there have always been moments of tedium for me.

Last Friday night, I attended a performance of PAHNTOM: THE LAS VEGAS SPECTACULAR at The Phantom Theatre in The Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas.  The performance I saw starred Brent Barrett as The Phantom, Elizabeth Loyacano as Christine, and Tim Martin Gleason as Raoul.  The difference between PHANTOM and POTO is very similar to the difference between the two-CD and the one-CD version of the cast recordings.  The show is the same, but all of the filler has been removed.

This is not to say that this is in any way a Greatest Hits version of POTO.  This is PHANTOM minus the extra baggage.  The result is a tighter, more focused; and in many ways. a far more powerful production than any of the three versions of POTO that I have seen on stage.

Brent Barrett, as The Phantom, is, as the title suggests, spectacular.  This is a Phantom portrayed by a true singer and actor.  Even before his first appearance, Barrett's voice, drifting hauntingly through the theater; brings the focus of the show to where it belongs, on the Phantom.  PHANTOM is now truly the story of The Phantom, not Christine and Raoul's story or of the famous chandelier's story.  Barrett is romantic, powerful, mysterious, threatening, and in the end, heartbreaking.  The final scene in The Labyrinth is a stunning tour de force for Mr. Barrett.  Stripped of his mask, exposed to his beloved Christine, as well as the world as the creature that he is; Barrett strikes at the heart and the emotion of every member of the audience.  Although, I have always felt sorry for The Phantom in the final scene; Mr. Barrett's stunning performance brought me to tears.

Tim Martin Gleason is everything a Raoul should be; handsome, dashing, with a glorious singing voice.  Elizabeth Loyacano is a stunningly beautiful and convincing Christine.  Unfortunately, for whatever reason, Miss Loyacano seemed to talk-sing many of her songs, particularly the more operatic songs.  It might not have been as important in another musical, but since Christine supposedly possesses this angelic voice; the lack of a true singing voice distracted from the overall effect.

The remainder of the cast is uniformly talented.  From the wonderfully hysterical Monsieurs, Andre and Firmin, to the spooky Madame Giry; this cast is first rate.  Special mention must be given to Elena Jeanne Batman as Carlotta.  Ms. Batman managed to make Carlotta, not only a properly vain prima donna, but a hysterical foil for The Phantom, as well.

So, does the Vegas PHANTOM live up to the title, spectacular?  Absolutely!  From the breath-taking special effects (thank you chandelier for living up to the hype) to the jaw-dropping theater itself this is a total spectacle.  At 94 minutes, without stopping for an Intermission; PHANTOM is a magnificent roller-coaster ride of a musical, that should be seen by everyone.

[JoseSPiano]

Welcome home, DR TCB!

[Cillaliz]

Yes, Welcome Home, TCB

[Cillaliz]

With all the announcements of closings...are there any interesting shows preparing to open?

[Cillaliz]

Dr Jose, interesting to hear your reaction to Frost/Nixon. it's another show I wish I could have seen

[JoseSPiano]

And thanks for the Phantom-Vegas report!  Is John Leslie Wolfe still playing one of the Mssrs.?  *I coached him before his final audition for the company.  

[JoseSPiano]

With all the announcements of closings...are there any interesting shows preparing to open?

Well, Xanadu officially opens on July 10.  

[Cillaliz]

Well, Xanadu officially opens on July 10.  

[Jason]

DR TCB: Glad to hear you enjoyed PHANTOM in Vegas. POTO is one of my guilty pleasures, as well. It's the show that got me hooked on musical theatre when I was 13 and I've loved it ever since. I recognize its flaws - and there are many - but I would love to be a part of it at some point in my career (assuming my career ever starts). It's fun to stand in the alley between my theatre and the Majestic and listen to the overture through the doors...

[Jason]

"Like yellow parchment is his skin./A great black hole serves as the nose that never grew./You must be always on your guard/or he will catch you with his magical lasso...ooooo....??"

[JoseSPiano]

Oh...  And since I did not go to Amy's Bread before my show, I went afterwards.  Tonight's selection was Aunt Somebody's Whole Lemon Pie - I can't remember the exact name of the aunt.  In any case, it looks and tastes like a Lemon Chess Pie, however, it's a bit more substantial than that.  As the name implies, it's made with whole lemons - there are bits and piece of the rind and pith in the custard, and that, I guess, helps to balance out the tartness of the lemon and the sweetness from the sugar.  They also contribute nicely to the texture of the pie too.  I may just have to sample it again sometime.  

[Cillaliz]

Think it's time for me to go to sleep.....night all

[TCB]

And thanks for the Phantom-Vegas report!  Is John Leslie Wolfe still playing one of the Mssrs.?  *I coached him before his final audition for the company.  

Thank you all for the Welcome Homes.  It is always nice to come home to family, even if only on the internet.

Yes, Jose, John Leslie Wolfe is still playing Andre.  He was hysterical, as was Lawson Skala as Firmin.  I was going to mention the actors by name, but I thought I was pushing my luck writing as long a review as I did.

[JoseSPiano]

Thank you all for the Welcome Homes.  It is always nice to come home to family, even if only on the internet.

Yes, Jose, John Leslie Wolfe is still playing Andre.  He was hysterical, as was Lawson Skala as Firmin.  I was going to mention the actors by name, but I thought I was pushing my luck writing as long a review as I did.

Thanks, DR TCB, for the confirmation.

And one cool tidbit about Tim Martin Gleason - They gave him the option of alternating shows - like they switch off the actors playing The Phantom - but he said he preferred singing all the performances each week, and just having a regular understudy instead of an alternate.  And, if I recall correctly, he's actually singing almost the same amount of music as he did on Broadway when he was Raoul, but just in 90 minutes now instead of spread over two and a half hours.

[JoseSPiano]

Well, I'm playing the matinee of ACL tomorrow/today - my first show on Keyboard 2 - and then, apparently, there's some sort of cookout/party here at the apartment.    And then more ACL first thing Thursday morning, so...

Goodnight.

[TCB]

Thanks, DR TCB, for the confirmation.

And one cool tidbit about Tim Martin Gleason - They gave him the option of alternating shows - like they switch off the actors playing The Phantom - but he said he preferred singing all the performances each week, and just having a regular understudy instead of an alternate.  And, if I recall correctly, he's actually singing almost the same amount of music as he did on Broadway when he was Raoul, but just in 90 minutes now instead of spread over two and a half hours.

After the show Friday night, my friend, Mike, and I wandered down to the orchestra pit, where I asked to speak to the Stage Manager.  I told him I was here to see Mr. Barrett.  He asked if Mr. Barrett was expecting me.  I said, "Oh, of course."  He went back to the dressing room to confirm that Larry Moore had not yet reported me to Brent as a  stalker.  When he came back, the stage manager said that they were having some problems with one of the set pieces, so it would be a few minutes.

A few minutes later, the stage manager escorted Mike and I backstage and into the cast and crew elevator where we descended into Brent's labyrinth.

When we got off the elevator the first person we encountered was Elizabeth Loyacano (Christine) who was chatting with a few people.  Unlike what you would normally expect, Ms. Loyacano is even more beautiful close up than she is onstage.

After that, we were taken down the hall to the make-up room where the make-up artist was still removing Brent's makeup.  I went in and introduced myself to Brent; and Brent, the make-up artist, and I chatted for a few minutes while they finished up.  It takes about an hour to put on The Phantom's make-up every night and twenty minutes to remove it.  As Ron, the make-up artist said, the combined time is just about equal to the entire running time of PHANTOM.

(To be continued)