I simply couldn’t be in Toronto and not go see Phantom. 🙂 We were there to see Colm in Les Mis, but I figured we could spare one night to spend at the Pantages, especially since Laurie and Lindsey had only seen the show once before each – Laurie 8 years ago!!
This time I did finally get to see Peter again, and I actually enjoyed his performance much more this time (though whether that’s because I actually had a decent seat for half the show, I can’t say. 🙂 He made me cry on the angel, and his final scene was very well done. I adore the sarcasm when he greets Raoul, the growled “you try my patience!”, and his wonderful reaction to the kiss. Elizabeth seemed to have grown a lot in the role (the last time I saw her was when she was the alternate), and I enjoyed her performance much more this time as well.Though I still don’t understand why she starts crying after she rips off Erik’s mask and wig at the end of Point of No Return. David Rogers as Raoul was a very typical Raoul…I didn’t particularly like
or dislike him. The rest of the cast was wonderful, as usual, especially Kim Stengel and the managers, though I missed Terry Hodges as Firmin. And, as usual, I was sobbing by the end!! 🙂
We went to the stage door after the show and ran into other Phantom phans (from Michigan!), one of whom was also seeing the show for her 11th time! We chatted with them in between talking to David, Catriona, Kim, Elizabeth, and, of course, Peter! Unfortunately Peter was a little distracted that night,was just slightly less than his usual amazing, giving self. 🙂 For example, I had him sign a program for my friend Margaret, but he thought *I* was Margaret, and so wrote on the program, “Nice to see you again!”. But I don’t think Margie minded that too much. 🙂 Anyway, it was a great night, and made me VERY excited for the anniversary, which was only three weeks away!!
The quotes:
“Raoul’s in the way!”
Lindsey during Act Two, actually meaning it literally. 🙂
“Is this the eternal Erik sanity debate?”
A fellow phan coming to my aid in my argument with Laurie at the stage door.
The Pictures:
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A Phantom tour bus we saw around Toronto! 🙂 |
The Victoria Street entrance to the Pantages |
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Lindsey, Catriona Ferguson and me! |
Lindsey, David Rogers and I at the stage door |
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Me, Kim Stengel, Elizabeth DeGrazia and Lindsey after the show |
Me and Peter! |
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Laurie, Peter and Lindsey at the stage door |
The cast:
| The Phantom of the Opera |
PETER KARRIE |
Christine Daaé |
ELIZABETH DEGRAZIA |
Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny |
DAVID ROGERS |
Carlotta Giudicelli |
KIM STENGEL |
Monsieur André |
KEVIN McGUIRE |
Monsieur Firmin |
SCOTT WATANABE |
Madame Giry |
KRISTINA MARIE GUIGUET |
Ubaldo Piangi |
BRENT WEBER |
Meg Giry |
CATRIONA DERGUSON |
Monsieur Reyer |
GERALD ISAAC |
Don Attilio (“Il Muto”)/Passarino |
TIM STIFF |
Porter/Marksman |
BRIAN C. DUYN |
Monsieur Lefèvre |
MICHAEL FAWKES |
Auctioneer/Joseph Buquet |
JOHN DODINGTON |
Lion Man/Fireman |
KELLY ROBERTSON |
Slave Master (“Hannibal”) |
KIRK HANSEN |
Flunky/Stagehand |
CHRISTOPHER KISS |
Policeman |
ROBERT MEILLEUR |
Page (“Don Juan Triumphant”) |
JAYNE SMILEY |
Porter/Fireman |
PAUL MULLOY |
Page (“Don Juan Triumphant”) |
TANIA PARRISH |
Wardrobe Mistress/Confidante (“Il Muto”) |
LISA GAASENBEEK |
Princess (“Hannibal”) |
SANDRA MARGOLESE |
Madame Firmin |
JANET COATES |
Inkeeper’s Wife (“Don Juan Triumphant”) |
MONICA WALSH |
The Ballet Chorus of the Opera Populaire |
SAMANTHA ADAMSON SARAH DAURIE RACHEL GIBSON PHILIPPA HAYBALL DEANNA PIDWERBESKI MIMI F. PINEAU |
Dance Captain/Ballet Swing |
ANITA BOSTOK |