More Phantom Musicals Trailer (S4E5) and Phantom Reviews Goodies!

[HorseyWitchOfTheEast]

that Erik pulshie is so cute! If the real Erik looked like that no one would hate him for his face

[phangirl1986]

"Toby's Dinner Production"? Where the heck did that title come from? But anyway, the song 'The Love You Never Had' actually had me almost in tears. And 'The Room Full of Shadows' was an interesting, well-written scene as well. It's too bad that musical's not playing anymore. It was a relief to listen to something good after sitting through two horrendous Phantom musicals!

[Elanchana]

Reviewer, I must thank you for giving an overwhelmingly positive review to my favorite musical of all time. To clear up confusion, Toby's Dinner Theater is the place where this musical was performed - Toby being Toby Orenstein, the director of the productions - and among phans I know this version is normally called by its composer's name, Alonso. The musical premiered in Columbia in 1992, but it was brought back to life in 2008 in Baltimore, with a few changes.

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[Elanchana]

@Elanchana CONTINUED

I was fortunate enough to be able to see it in Baltimore, by personal invitation of Tom Alonso himself. It has long since closed. Fortunately for you, Reviewer, Tom's email is reliable and he is extremely friendly, and would probably be willing to send you information about the musical - if I am not mistaken, he still has recordings of the original 1992 production. While I am here, having seen it, I should probably give my own review...

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[Elanchana]

@Elanchana CONTINUED

As I already said, Alonso's is my favorite Phantom adaptation, and my favorite musical ever. It stays extremely true to Leroux's novel, for a start, though because of a shortage of resources, some things have changed... like Erik coming from Christine's closet, instead of from the mirror. There are two major plot changes. One is the recurring courtroom theme, which sets up nice narration, but can get intrusive at times.

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[Elanchana]

@Elanchana CONTINUED

The other, at least in the 2008 version, is the ending. PM me if you would like a spoiler. The closeness to Leroux is what really sets this musical apart from all the others. But there is of course Alonso's music: If angels existed, this is what their music would sound like. It touches me in exactly the right place, and I hope it does the same for other people. I actually did cry the first four or so times I heard In a Room Full of Shadows.

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[Elanchana]

@Elanchana CONTINUED

But Alonso also gets the funny things right, as evidenced in TtWIDaH or the hilarious At the Opera. Braxton Peters reprised his role as Erik in the 2008 version, and he is, in a word, perfect. He completely nails the Leroux!Erik mentality, a tortured genius longing for love.

All in all, I felt honored to be able to witness this performance.

LAST POST! YAY!

[stardappledgreen]

The Tony's Dinner Theater one actually sounds pretty good from the few songs in the review, possibly tying with the Yeston/Kopit Phantom as the second-best Phantom musical

As far as the David Spencer version goes, the nice bowdlerized ending made me LOL. I doubt even the most idealistic band of 8 year old girl scouts would be able to stand that ending and would probably start kicking little old ladies into traffic to get the saccharine taste out of their mouths

[GingerFarnsworth]

Where did you get the recording for Tom Alonso's Phantom? I can't find it anywhere.

[EriksLadyOperaGhost]

The Toby's Phantom didn't sound to bad - YOU GO Erik junior, you tell the older you what a twit he is! Hmm...shame I couldn't find it to buy it.

'Break a leg, break a leg' uhhhhh WHAT! Who comes up with this stuff? My ears were bleeding. 'Weighed in the balance and found ASS!' Here, here. But the 'apart from you...' song sounded nice.

Never mind *skips off to find the Erik plushie*

Thanks for another great review you had me in stitches yet again :)

[MyOldName]

Gah! I've been looking all over for that one at the end, but I can only find little samples. >.<

[MewDenise]

Ok. I actually got creeped out when Christine and Erik was talking about an opera school and Christine said that Erik might ''teach her a few things'' and Erik was like:

Yes... (Grin-rape-face)

[PhangirlMusician]

I really wish that you would review Flying Rhino Junior High. It's a kids TV show WITH A FREAKING PHANTOM CHARACTER IN IT! I remember watching it when I was a tiny kid and had no idea what Phantom was. He has a rat sidekick named Ratticus, and he's a boy genius who got a D in shop class and went to the boiler room to... er... set up his lair, I guess.

@_@... Phantom-y goodness...

On another note, I love "The Love You Never Had". It's so... NYAAH!

[urnako]

"destroy the burn victim!" That made me laugh so hard. Your reviews are great - thank you for suffering through all these bad versions on our behalf.

[DarthxErik]

OH MY GOSH I'm spazzing about the 3rd one you were reviewing! I like it. XD

[ExidoSutrin]

Did someone say 'Vampire' during the song about how awful it is to be different? How does burnt face = vampire? Jesus, that reminds me of that lyric from Pocahontas... "They're different from us, and so they must be evil!" Hooray for the triumph of logic and reason!

[MyOldName]

@ExidoSutrin

At least 'vampire' isn't as obscenely brick-to-the-face blatant. Is that different = evil line really in there? It's been several since I saw Pocahontas, but I have a hard time believing that Disney would have done something so artless and crude...

Wait, I just remembered "We don't like what we don't understand; in fact it scares us." Disney can be pretty bad about getting their point across...

[ilovemybishies87]

@ExidoSutrin '"They're different from us, and so they must be evil!" Hooray for the triumph of logic and reason!'

I thought racism as a whole was illogical. Besides, that line of "logic" is bit of Truth in Television, no matter how stupid it sounds to us now. Remember, it wasn't too long ago that other races weren't even considered human, especially when compared to the more "civilized" whites.

[LerouxsPhantom]

2:26 I love that picture of Biskuits! XD

[littlelottej]

Haha buy you're crap! So if the male species were to buy your shirt, would he acquire moobs!?

[ghostoftoast]

Unfortunately, that last version WAS playing, last year. But a limited engagement. I had hoped it was the start of something that might lead to it opening somewhere other than Baltimore.

[EmilyGreene1984]

Maybe it was a good thing you couldn't see these horrible versions of the story. :) Nice new intro to the PR theme :)

[LerouxsPhantom]

Please do more movie commentaries, Reviewer!

OMG these musicals are SO. BAD.

[DarthxErik]

Ah, thanks. Merry Christmas!

[jazzandmint]

More Phantomy goodness! Yes!

[Onasariel]

"sadly you have to share your ears with this"

WIN. X'D

[AnGeLoFmUsIcPOCD]

Hey Reviewer! Where would one such as myself be able to purchase these CDs? I have found one of them on Amazon and have found no luck in the others...i have spent a couple years looking for these recordings so hopefully you can help. Thanks

[Medusa0999]

Merry Christmas Phantom Review thanks for the podcast.... then again on hearing that music maybe i shouldn't be thanking you lol

[PhangirlMusician]

I AM GETTING! THAT! PLUSHIE!

[AngelofMusic902]

"We can't guarantee that you won't get jammed between walls while wearing this T-shirt, but we do guarantee that it will give you boobs! Boooobs!" XD OMG! LMAO!

[crazyphan18]

"so you can have my Mysterious Sexy voice in your ear!" oh YUM! hahaha

[Marlean]

Yay, more more more more more!!!! *Or I'll punjab your ass!*

[phantomcjs]

"so the least you could do IS BUY SOME OF OUR CRAP." xD

[Duszka]

YOU ARE BACK!!!!! *GLOMPS*

[PFXProductions]

I LOVE YOU <3

[mamimi2113]

I already have teh Eric plushy =')

[CharmedBalthazar]

I'd totally want some quality moichendise! *Looks at wallet* ... Know what? *Goes to add to christmas wishlist*

[joethulhuz]

I WANT THAT PLUSHIE! IT SHALL TAKE ITS RIGHTFUL PLACE BESIDE CTHULHU.

[xXJessWorldXx]

BOOOOBS

[ya0ish3lly]

Yes, your mysterious sexy voice in my head =D *shudders at music*

[MrsLovett112]

I might use Break A Leg as a mobile ring tone...

[PhantomPhan05]

Haha love it (not the musicals)! The review is great! :D Also love in this vid when you say "so you can have my mysterious sexy voice in your ear"! Haha, great! :)