Just saw him perform Sunday in Greenville, SC. He's my favorite Phantom. I just read that they were casting an African-American as Phantom. Neil Lewis is his name I think. Is that true? I think it will be interesting to see! :)
OK, just got back from the Phantom show tonight in Atlanta and I have to say I hated it. Well not all of it but a lot of it. I thought Julia Udine did a good job as Christine, and I thought the stage scenery was better than I thought it would be for a touring version of the show. But, the actor playing the Phantom, Cooper Grodin, was absolutely terrible. It was almost as if he had never actually heard the songs before. He seemed to rush through his lines and songs. Sometimes the songs sounded like he was just shouting words instead of singing. He really ruined the show for me. My daughter said he sounded like he was doing a Saturday Night Live parody of the Phantom, and not a very good one either. The show was not a total loss but it was by far the worst of the 6 version of it I have seen. Disappointing. Plus, unfortunately the sound at the Atlanta Fox Theater was really bad. Many people were commenting out loud that they could not hear the actors let alone understand what they were saying. There were also some key Phantom elements missing from the show such as Christine de-masking the Phantom. How can you remove that from this show? This version of the show may not seem as bad for someone who has never seen the show before but if you have seen the original show chances are you will feel cheated.
Any y'all ever heard Ramin Karimloo do it?... because you should. He's WAY better. Grodin does very well, but... I don't know. I guess I just don't think Americans play the part very well. When we sing ( a lot of us anyway) the consonants are too hard and held out too long, rather than the vowel. Oh well, he does do very well, and I'm excited to see him next spring! :) And does anyone know who the understudies are for the tour? Thanks! :D
I prefer Ramin singing the role of Erik best. In fact I would rather hear Gerard Butler sing than listen to this performance. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
He has a velvety, angelic, enchanting voice. He truly is an angel of music.
***** he is ridiculously attractive I just met him last night...and I met Christine too
Stunning, touching vocal by Cooper Grodin. He is the Phantom, Dude and the Angel of the Night.
Sorry. That would be Matthew Cammelle. His voice is floating.
Just saw it at Boston opera house and he was absolutely amazing I was crying!!
SAME HERE! OPENING NIGHT!
Goliath Landry I saw the last show just made it haha!
Amazing!!! Ah. I cannot wait to see him live. I love a deeper voice phantom. ❤️
Just watched him as the Phantom!!! GENUS!!!!!
Cooper did an amazing job! :) I loved seeing this on Broadway :D
I literally just got back from seeing this and it was absolutely amazing I loved it so much!!!!!
I have always wanted to hear music of the night on an organ like that.
I can't wait to see this cast in December!
My first broadway musical
I just saw him in greenville sc as well and he is absolutely amazing as the phantom!!
I have never heard the instrumental part on the organ before. That part is so cool
The only phantom who doesn't wear a wig?
Now this is a voice to send a girl into a trance. He's intoxicating! I really hope he stays with the tour long enough so I can see him live. :)
Just saw him perform Sunday in Greenville, SC. He's my favorite Phantom. I just read that they were casting an African-American as Phantom. Neil Lewis is his name I think. Is that true? I think it will be interesting to see! :)
Norm Lewis, rather.
Rachel Berens It is true. He has already began performances.
Live
A bit like Matthew Cammelle.
OK, just got back from the Phantom show tonight in Atlanta and I have to say I hated it. Well not all of it but a lot of it. I thought Julia Udine did a good job as Christine, and I thought the stage scenery was better than I thought it would be for a touring version of the show. But, the actor playing the Phantom, Cooper Grodin, was absolutely terrible. It was almost as if he had never actually heard the songs before. He seemed to rush through his lines and songs. Sometimes the songs sounded like he was just shouting words instead of singing. He really ruined the show for me. My daughter said he sounded like he was doing a Saturday Night Live parody of the Phantom, and not a very good one either. The show was not a total loss but it was by far the worst of the 6 version of it I have seen. Disappointing. Plus, unfortunately the sound at the Atlanta Fox Theater was really bad. Many people were commenting out loud that they could not hear the actors let alone understand what they were saying. There were also some key Phantom elements missing from the show such as Christine de-masking the Phantom. How can you remove that from this show? This version of the show may not seem as bad for someone who has never seen the show before but if you have seen the original show chances are you will feel cheated.
Any y'all ever heard Ramin Karimloo do it?... because you should. He's WAY better. Grodin does very well, but... I don't know. I guess I just don't think Americans play the part very well. When we sing ( a lot of us anyway) the consonants are too hard and held out too long, rather than the vowel. Oh well, he does do very well, and I'm excited to see him next spring! :) And does anyone know who the understudies are for the tour? Thanks! :D
You prefer Canadians like Ramin Karimloo then?
The best MOTN one was Matt Cammelle. Standby Phantom West end 2004-2006.
I prefer Ramin singing the role of Erik best. In fact I would rather hear Gerard Butler sing than listen to this performance.
Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.