I suppose I have not ever written much about my favorite musical on the face of the planet, so tonight seems like the perfect time. I have posted a video (that I only saw tonight for the first time) from the 1988 Tony Awards. I didn't know this musical existed back then. I was in high school, and I had heard of the story, and I think we may have heard the title song in choir, but that was about it. I also did not know the stars--Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman. Where shall I begin?
I will begin with my first exposure to Michael Crawford. It was in the 1969 musical Hello, Dolly! with Barbra Streisand and Walter Matthau. He played Cornelius Hackl, and I honestly thought that is all he ever did. I learned a little about him when I read a biography of Gene Kelly (the director of the movie). I always enjoyed him, but I didn't know he had a career anywhere else.
I was involved in a show choir my senior year in high school (1991-1992). We got to go to New York for a competition and see a real Broadway show. And it just so happened we were going to see Phantom. I remember thinking that I may not like the musical, but I was going to see a real, live musical, so who cared? Right before the show, we stopped at a little shop that sold musical merchandise. My partner bought the tape (yes, a cassette) of the highlights from the show. He proudly showed me, and I asked it they had the full musical version. Yes, they did, and I bought it. I wouldn't be able to listen to it until I got back home--no tape recorder. But I opened the tape, and I was absolutely floored. Michael Crawford?? Played the Phantom?? This had to be a joke! Cornelius Hackl as the Phantom?
Do you see why I was so confused? Compare that picture from Hello, Dolly! wish the video! (If you need to place him, watch the opening scenes of Walle. That's his voice!)
Needless to say, I became a Phantom and Michael Crawford junkie. I have seen Phantom three times live--once in New York, twice in Dallas. I saw him in concert in 1998 in Florida (against my then-husband's wishes). And I joined the fan club. I even met my friend from England due to this fan club. I acted the musical out once a week (at least) while in college. I sang the title song and another song Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again for my senior recital in college. I wrote an entire series of plays based on me (masquerading as Jeanette Norris) playing opposite Michael Crawford (and the entire original cast) in Phantom. In the plays, she marries him. I have a personal letter from dear old Michael. I organized a birthday party for members of his fan club. I even have an autographed copy of his autobiography.
As you can see, Phantom changed my life in many ways. I have seen the movie. I don't like it as much, but it has its moments. After all, I got to go see it the first time my soon-to-be-ex came for visitation. That's another long story. I know that currently is 70 (71 on the 19th of this month--had to look it up, I thought it was the 21st). He did play the part of the Wizard in the 2011 production of Wizard of Oz in London. While I do not live, sleep, breathe, and eat Phantom as I once did, it is still the musical that leaves me breathless. My only regret is that I never met Michael Crawford (probably never will), and I never got to sing with him! I would love to.
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Fun post. I've never seen Phantom, but I have heard some of the music, and M. Crawford has an *amazing* voice. My lifelong musical love is Camelot, but I have to say that Les Miserables is beginning to run a close second; I hope to see the movie sometime this week.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen Phantom of the Opera
ReplyDeleteI have not seen the Phantom but would love to. I had seen something on T.V. a long time ago like this. It was really good and I've wanted to see it ever since.
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