Phantom in Las Vegas 2008

We went to see Phantom in Las Vegas on August 1, 2008. This included a backstage meet and greet with Tony (who played the Phantom) and a detailed tour of the backstage area by Daniel, who showed us how many of the wonderful effects in the show are done. Some of the photos are from the wig room, which shows wigs specially fitted to each of the actors/actresses and most are made of human hair. This is a fantastic experience, and I highly recommend the show. It is currently showing at the Venetian on the Las Vegas Strip, and this is a $35 million production! (Tickets are considerably cheaper than that!)

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• performing
• arts
• theater
• musical
• phantom
• of
• the
• opera
• andrew
• lloyd
• weber
• las
• vegas
• backstage
• show
• VIP
• tour

[hajhzu]

what is that bloody thing?

[flavtastic]

The bloody thing is a prosthesis that was part of the phantom's makeup. It covered the side of his face and is custom made EACH PERFORMANCE by the talented makeup artist. When you take the backstage tour, Tony and the makeup artist give it away to someone lucky!

[boardwalkman]

I heard that the chandelier in Vegas falls way faster than other productions. They says it free falls into the audience, there is a blackout, and it rockets up into the rafters. Is that true?

[flavtastic]

They spent a large sum (I have forgotten the figure) on a chandelier that is in 3 separate pieces that are each hooked up to cables and motors. Although the chandelier doesn't actually hit the audience, it is the fastest assembling and disassembling chandelier... Even more so than Broadway or London. The Phantom actually is inside the chandolier at one point. They take great pride in the chandolier and have even named it after one of the ladies involved in the production in years past.

[boardwalkman]

What do you mean by "assembling and disassembling"?

[flavtastic]

I'm sorry... what happens with the chandelier in Las Vegas is that it comes apart into 3 separate sections. This is how it looks in the auction scene... in 3 pieces instead of how it was represented in the other productions, as one collapsible item. Before your eyes, the 3 pieces of the "old" chandelier come together and rise up over the audience as one "new" chandelier that is all lit up and inspiring.

[RockyFan1965]

Vegas has the best chandellier

[Cyndane]

in my opinion, I think Anthony Crivello beats all the other phantoms in the Vegas production. if you plan on watching it, try go on a night when Crivello's playing. as for cutting out scenes, the producers, even Webber himself, have said that the only parts cut were the intermission and some dialogue that don't really affect the overal plot. they say songs remain untouched, but...they lied! Point of No Return was cut in half...Christine doesn't get her solo. only Phantom does.

[mrhalloweenman1]

I really like the music that you put with this

[talistur]

I believe the full backstage tours are like...$250-$300.00 or around that range (maybe more? I'm not sure.) Usually you'll be seated in the Golden Cirlce under the Chandelier and the back stage tickets are in addition to that.

Sometimes they come with rooms. :)

[esch927]

Ah, I see. Maybe someday...I'll start saving now haha

[rebekah457]

I agree. Brent Barrett was the better of the two original Vegas Phantoms - at least he sang with some emotion. Crivello just moves through the role on autopilot. They need to slow it down. It's not supposed to be a race to get to the end of the show, but Vegas demands shows be short.

[rebekah457]

There is a special Phantom package available for like $275+ that includes a backstage tour and meet and greet.

[esch927]

How did you get backstage? Was it just a special ticket package? I saw it a couple months after it opened with Brent, and it was so incredible. I would have given ANYTHING to get a tour like that!