There is so much criticism of people filming performance, but this is a prime example of the importance. This is an incredibly important historical film -of course the quality is not that of a decent camera- in 1988, we only had gigantic VHS cameras! I am THANKFUL that someone filmed this - it's wonderful to hear and see the original Phantom. I saw the show in NY in 1990 and again in 1992, but this is just wonderful :)
I love this musical so much. I am completely obsessed with it. In fact, I saw it last year for my 22nd birthday in Tuscon, Arizona at the university. It was the reboot and the US Tour. The Phantom was Chris Mann and Christine was Katie Travis. My dad took me to see it. We had orchestra seats. It was just amazing! I got a souvenir before it started. It was the soundtrack for the 25th Anniversary performance. The one with Ramin Karimloo (Phantom) and Sierra Boggess (Christine). Even though I liked Chris and thought he was really good Ramin will always be my favorite. Same thing with Katie. I liked her very much but Sierra is my favorite Christine. Team Ramin/Sierra all the way! Oh and I am also on Team Phantom.
Seriously, it's rather tragic that we don't have quality recordings of this and so many other Broadway shows. This is awesome to find on here. I still remember being a kid and my mom driving us all the way across the border to see Phantom at the Pantages in Toronto in 89, it was awesome, but mom played the soundtrack tape on loop so long I couldn't listen for like 20 years LMAO. but now, I'm really happy to be able to see this.
I love how Michael makes the first you hear of the Phantom, kind of soft, calm, and haunting. Some of the more recent Phantoms have tended towards a very powerful, angry-sounding voice from behind the mirror, which is a great interpretation, too, but I forgot how amazing MC's lyrical and calm interpretation sounds. I remember as a little girl, listening to the OBC soundtrack for the first time after my parents brought it home from a trip to NYC, and stopping in my tracks, and goosebumps covering every inch of me when I heard the haunting, beautiful "insolent boy....", my first taste of the Phantom, and the rest is history. Haha
I always love these two together. While their have been Great Phantoms and Christines with beautiful voices, MC and SB have such a unique, almost otherworldly sound when they sing together.
4:21 -"it's me they hear" is a perfect example of why Michael Crawford is the perfect Phantom. His voice has such a floating, haunting, beautiful tone, that no one can really duplicate. First and best. Also, the way the audience applauds at 4:33, when the boat floats onstage, is so endearing to me. :) The show was so new then, and everything was unprecedented...The audiences now are no doubt awed, and amazed but breaking out in spontaneous applause like that is no longer as people have gotten used to amazing special effects. Gosh, I guess I could talk about Phantom to noone-in-particular all day long...ha :) yikes-I will stop now.:)
People do still clap and/or gasp at some things. I haven't seen the show in almost a year, but last time I went, you could hear a lot of the audience gasp when the staircase for Masquerade was revealed, and people still clap a bit for the part when Raoul jumps into the water. I've seen the show nine times, and hearing the audience react to stuff like that is my favorite part.
Oh, I'm so glad to hear that! I haven't noticed it in videos, but am so happy it still happens. I still haven't seen it on Broadway, but when I do, I hope I'm not the only one spontaneously clapping with joy and amazement at different parts. That will be embarrassing. :)
@@keelieak in the special performances, it's understandable when people clap more often. I listened to the audio recording of a few recent shows, such as the return to Broadway show post pandemic, and the audience is cheering all the time when characters appear on stage (even for the chandelier and the monkey). Such joy and enthusiasm is contagious and you can't help smiling. It's wonderful to hear audios like that and know the true passion of fellow Phans.
notsusan That is hilarious-you know they were practically on the ground! Lol Poor things! I think it's neat they were so impressed with the performance that they assumed was over, that they just clapped out of excitement, not even realizing at first, no one else was...
MC owns this role lol...seriously, I have watched just about every POTO vid on youtube...I seen it myself with hugh panaro as the phantom...no one like MC
yeh he is 1 of those people who did a little bit of everything. His television show "some mothers do ave em" that made him famous is worth a watch he did all his own stunts on that.
@Belliole I haven't seen John Owen Jones perform, although when I was in London, I saw Scott Davies and Tabitha Webb perform. I love her vibrato. My first Phantom performance was with Howard McGillin and Jennifer Hope Wills, then Davies and Webb, then with Tim Martin Gleason and Kelly Jeanne Grant on tour, which I adore her voice too. If only the russian show was still playing. I would love to see them perform.
I was so surprised to hear Crawford live, Brightmans title is recorded, EXCEPT for the high E...oddly enough, sent shivers down my spine. Also, WHAT WAS THAT GUY THINKING who clapped after "belong to me"
Pretty sure that person simply didn't realize the song wasn't over yet, so they started to clap. They stopped when Crawford continued singing. This was probably early on that not everybody knew the soundtrack yet, so they didn't realize the song didn't end at that point.
@titanicfinatic Wow, that's a really hard question to answer! I'm not much for sets because I like the actors seperately. However, last week I finally saw Phantom live in London. John Owen-Jones and Tabitha Webb. Totally my favourites. I like Hugh Panaro and Gina Beck as well. I think they'd be awesome together.
If you mean when he runs his hands thru the hair after removing the cloak and fedora, that's because Crawford was originally making sure the wig stayed on after removing his hat. He needed to keep the wig on and so he ran his fingers thru his wig hair to ensure it stayed in place. Afterwards, it became the thing to do for everybody else because A) they needed to do the same re: wigs too and B) because Crawford set the standard and they all followed in his example for the blocking haha.
It's interesting to see the changes from then and now. In the title sing certain tracks (organ, added percussion, and claps). It also seems like the speakers and sound weren't that good (I mean it is 1988). If you see the the show now the overture, tracks and everything is very loud (a good loud)!
@bookboybrs90 Nope, sorry. I'm not really a fond of the original cast. Google something along this lines: "Phantom of the opera opening night Michaeal Crawford trading site" or something... I know they're out there somewhere, but where exactly I don't know.
@titanicfinatic Its hard for me to say as well. However I prefer Hugh Panaro and Sarah Jean Ford. I also like Ramin Karimloo for phantom. I would love to see Ramin and Seira to perform on broadway.
Victoria, why? I seriously never understood why people think Gerard is so great. He sang good for no experience but he did not have the Phantoms voice.
90% chance it's because he's dreeeeamy/it was the first version they saw As a George Hearn/Angela Lansbury Sweeney Todd fan I know this all too well. At least for ST Sweeney and Mrs. Lovett aren't supposed to be literally unbelievably amazing singers, but the Gerard Butler fans I can't even.
There is so much criticism of people filming performance, but this is a prime example of the importance. This is an incredibly important historical film -of course the quality is not that of a decent camera- in 1988, we only had gigantic VHS cameras! I am THANKFUL that someone filmed this - it's wonderful to hear and see the original Phantom. I saw the show in NY in 1990 and again in 1992, but this is just wonderful :)
I love this musical so much. I am completely obsessed with it. In fact, I saw it last year for my 22nd birthday in Tuscon, Arizona at the university. It was the reboot and the US Tour. The Phantom was Chris Mann and Christine was Katie Travis. My dad took me to see it. We had orchestra seats. It was just amazing! I got a souvenir before it started. It was the soundtrack for the 25th Anniversary performance. The one with Ramin Karimloo (Phantom) and Sierra Boggess (Christine). Even though I liked Chris and thought he was really good Ramin will always be my favorite. Same thing with Katie. I liked her very much but Sierra is my favorite Christine. Team Ramin/Sierra all the way! Oh and I am also on Team Phantom.
Seriously, it's rather tragic that we don't have quality recordings of this and so many other Broadway shows. This is awesome to find on here.
I still remember being a kid and my mom driving us all the way across the border to see Phantom at the Pantages in Toronto in 89, it was awesome, but mom played the soundtrack tape on loop so long I couldn't listen for like 20 years LMAO. but now, I'm really happy to be able to see this.
I love how Michael makes the first you hear of the Phantom, kind of soft, calm, and haunting. Some of the more recent Phantoms have tended towards a very powerful, angry-sounding voice from behind the mirror, which is a great interpretation, too, but I forgot how amazing MC's lyrical and calm interpretation sounds. I remember as a little girl, listening to the OBC soundtrack for the first time after my parents brought it home from a trip to NYC, and stopping in my tracks, and goosebumps covering every inch of me when I heard the haunting, beautiful "insolent boy....", my first taste of the Phantom, and the rest is history. Haha
I just realized remember him before Michael Crawford phantom and he knows all about voice was same thing as CD show on doing live concert
I always love these two together. While their have been Great Phantoms and Christines with beautiful voices, MC and SB have such a unique, almost otherworldly sound when they sing together.
He is one of the rare people who sounds just as good live or even better than when is recorded.
Sarah and Michael , all the others who follow step in their shoes. Wonderful . She has an otherworldly voice, his IS the Phantom.
4:21 -"it's me they hear" is a perfect example of why Michael Crawford is the perfect Phantom. His voice has such a floating, haunting, beautiful tone, that no one can really duplicate. First and best. Also, the way the audience applauds at 4:33, when the boat floats onstage, is so endearing to me. :) The show was so new then, and everything was unprecedented...The audiences now are no doubt awed, and amazed but breaking out in spontaneous applause like that is no longer as people have gotten used to amazing special effects. Gosh, I guess I could talk about Phantom to noone-in-particular all day long...ha :) yikes-I will stop now.:)
People do still clap and/or gasp at some things. I haven't seen the show in almost a year, but last time I went, you could hear a lot of the audience gasp when the staircase for Masquerade was revealed, and people still clap a bit for the part when Raoul jumps into the water. I've seen the show nine times, and hearing the audience react to stuff like that is my favorite part.
Oh, I'm so glad to hear that! I haven't noticed it in videos, but am so happy it still happens. I still haven't seen it on Broadway, but when I do, I hope I'm not the only one spontaneously clapping with joy and amazement at different parts. That will be embarrassing. :)
@@keelieak in the special performances, it's understandable when people clap more often. I listened to the audio recording of a few recent shows, such as the return to Broadway show post pandemic, and the audience is cheering all the time when characters appear on stage (even for the chandelier and the monkey). Such joy and enthusiasm is contagious and you can't help smiling. It's wonderful to hear audios like that and know the true passion of fellow Phans.
Michael crawford performing music of the night was officially the night I became a broadway fanatic. Best ever.
I seriously cried when I found these videos. I am the happiest 15 yearold in the frickin world
This is seriously the most amazing thing of my life!! I wish I was alive then!!
Hearing Michael Crawford sing MOTN live...I could die happy now.
I love Michael Crawford's Music Of The Night better than any of the other Phantoms. It's so hypnotizing :3
11:26 some one clapped before Michael was finished😂 they must've been asleep and just woke up😂😂
Katie Tucker well have some jerk snore during the showing
Katie Tucker That is so rude. They must have been either bored or tired. 😭😥😩😤😡👎
Show was still very new, they might have mistaken that for the end. Whoever they went with probably shrank down in their seat though LOL
notsusan That is hilarious-you know they were practically on the ground! Lol Poor things! I think it's neat they were so impressed with the performance that they assumed was over, that they just clapped out of excitement, not even realizing at first, no one else was...
MC owns this role lol...seriously, I have watched just about every POTO vid on youtube...I seen it myself with hugh panaro as the phantom...no one like MC
Aww, when Steve finally enters, his "Christine?" sounds so adorable. :3
This discovery made my day
I love this scene. We first see and hear the Phantom--and Michael Crawford is wonderful.
hi :) I'm 15 and I really love this musical and all of its different performances by different actors/actresses
MICHAEL CRAWFORD. THANK YOU.
God, Michael's "Be!" note is so, so good here. Like, opera good.
Did you know Michael Crawford also played Barnum in the musical Barnum? He was also in Hello Dolly! And when he was younger he had his own TV show.
yeh he is 1 of those people who did a little bit of everything. His television show "some mothers do ave em" that made him famous is worth a watch he did all his own stunts on that.
:D I CAN NOT THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR PUTTING THESE VIDEOS UP!!!!!
This may seem weird, but I REALLY want to have a go on that boat!
The 2 dislikes are piangi and carlotta
I wish there were video recordings like this of Timothy Nolen as the phantom, he’s my personal favorite
@Belliole I haven't seen John Owen Jones perform, although when I was in London, I saw Scott Davies and Tabitha Webb perform. I love her vibrato. My first Phantom performance was with Howard McGillin and Jennifer Hope Wills, then Davies and Webb, then with Tim Martin Gleason and Kelly Jeanne Grant on tour, which I adore her voice too. If only the russian show was still playing. I would love to see them perform.
if i could only go back in time... I wasn't even born when these were recorded!!
I was so surprised to hear Crawford live, Brightmans title is recorded, EXCEPT for the high E...oddly enough, sent shivers down my spine. Also, WHAT WAS THAT GUY THINKING who clapped after "belong to me"
Pretty sure that person simply didn't realize the song wasn't over yet, so they started to clap. They stopped when Crawford continued singing. This was probably early on that not everybody knew the soundtrack yet, so they didn't realize the song didn't end at that point.
The title song has always been on click track, mainly because the are off stage and their mics don't work off stage. :)
lucky to have this as a whole. thanks for posting this for others to see. 8)
My god...Michael sounds exactly the same as on the OLC CD...=D *squee* Thank you for this!
@cientaebella It normally is pre-recorded because it's a challenging note to hit live every night
Shouldn't have shut the door, Raoul.
Sarah's last note seems pre recorded.. But don't matter, this was perfect. Thanks for up this.. =D
@titanicfinatic Wow, that's a really hard question to answer! I'm not much for sets because I like the actors seperately. However, last week I finally saw Phantom live in London. John Owen-Jones and Tabitha Webb. Totally my favourites. I like Hugh Panaro and Gina Beck as well. I think they'd be awesome together.
Great recording, though he was a beat late for FLATTERING CHILD but picked up on SEE WHY IN SHADOW x
I know that Original Cast CD like the back of my hand, and I can assure you the title track (the vocals, anyway) is live.
The POTO song has always been on click track as they go off stage and their head mics dont work off stage :)
Noooooo! This vid is not available! Gutted!
EVERYONE does the hands through the hair as MC does towards the end of 'POTO'.
If you mean when he runs his hands thru the hair after removing the cloak and fedora, that's because Crawford was originally making sure the wig stayed on after removing his hat. He needed to keep the wig on and so he ran his fingers thru his wig hair to ensure it stayed in place.
Afterwards, it became the thing to do for everybody else because A) they needed to do the same re: wigs too and B) because Crawford set the standard and they all followed in his example for the blocking haha.
YESSS!!!! FINALLY :D
@Belliole Which set of cast members are you more inclined? I prefer John Cudia and Marni Raab.
can u hear anything from opening night or no?
It's interesting to see the changes from then and now. In the title sing certain tracks (organ, added percussion, and claps). It also seems like the speakers and sound weren't that good (I mean it is 1988). If you see the the show now the overture, tracks and everything is very loud (a good loud)!
Lolz at the early clapper.
To whoever clapped around 11:30... I feel you
do u know the links to the opening night audio?
@bookboybrs90 Nope, sorry. I'm not really a fond of the original cast. Google something along this lines: "Phantom of the opera opening night Michaeal Crawford trading site" or something... I know they're out there somewhere, but where exactly I don't know.
who the hell started clapping!?
Don't bore me with your logic lol ok the title song is a bad example but even in his other songs he sounds the same if not better when live.
@titanicfinatic Its hard for me to say as well. However I prefer Hugh Panaro and Sarah Jean Ford. I also like Ramin Karimloo for phantom. I would love to see Ramin and Seira to perform on broadway.
Dale Kristen was a better Christine than Sarah.
i like gerald butler's voice better.
Victoria, why? I seriously never understood why people think Gerard is so great. He sang good for no experience but he did not have the Phantoms voice.
90% chance it's because he's dreeeeamy/it was the first version they saw
As a George Hearn/Angela Lansbury Sweeney Todd fan I know this all too well. At least for ST Sweeney and Mrs. Lovett aren't supposed to be literally unbelievably amazing singers, but the Gerard Butler fans I can't even.
stop that.