Tony was VoicePlay's baritone before J None. He left apparently because he really wanted to concentrate on the making of the videos. At this point in time, they were still touring. Since then Tony & Layne began PattyCake Productions, which aside from being a space for filming, also puts together its own videos, including writing original music, directing, costuming, choreography, etc. In Phantom here, Tony actually made Rachel's dress. So this video is not only really the beginning of 'modern' theatrical VoicePlay, but also the costuming 'department' of PattyCake.
Another video with Tony Wakim in a prominent role is "Road Trip", done after VoicePlay competed on the 4th season of The Sing-off (which Home Free won). It was a tour that several competitors from The Sing-off were on - and Road Trip is a hoot, I think you'll both enjoy it a lot!
Oh! The guy in the mask is Tony Wakim, former VP Baritone. He and Layne co-own Pattycake Productions, where #Voiceplay now does quite a few of their videos. Some day you should look up Voiceplay's "Road Trip." Pure comedy/musical brilliance.
Having seen Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman (whom it was written for) onstage in this, I am VERY picky about my POTO. The first time I saw this I didn't know it was A Cappella and clicked off after a few seconds, and it's so different to the original. But I came back when I knew Voiceplay better and love it! Tony makes a good Phantom, Rachel an excellent Christine.
Rachel has been moving toward a country music career, but she has done Broadway, as well as Disney. She is Voiceplay's most frequent collaborator. As you've seen, Voiceplay always pays homage to the original, but will never do a cookie cutter version of anything. Tony left in 2016, J None replaced him in 2018 so everything during the gap will have a featured artist, as they have now. Definitely NOT a fail.
Funny you should mention their latest Christmas video where they were onstage and in the audience. Tony was there, filming the video for them on iPhone. (They hadn’t been able to schedule a cameraman since both of their usual cameramen had moved out of state). He was also helping Layne direct and teaching the guys their dance. Before he joined Voiceplay, he had done a lot of work for Disney, including being in the High School Musical movie. But his favorite role from that time was Dracula in the Beetlejuice show at Universal. (Yes, he already was great before this video at cape handling!) He liked being with Voiceplay, but hated traveling. He and Layne had become close friends (he is Layne’s youngest daughter’s godfather) and they wanted to write and produce their own music videos, so they started Pattycake Productions. First recording at Layne’s Raynes Room Studio and using various locations for their shoots, they stored all their props and costumes in garages. Later, when Orange Studios (which they and VoicePlay both used) shut down, they decided to open their own production studio. It’s moved several times, but I think they’re very happy in their current space. And I think someone mentioned Rachael’s dress. Tony’s mother and grandmother were both seamstresses. He took an interest at an early age and as his interest in theatrical costuming grew, so did that talent. He makes almost all the costuming for Pattycake. You might take a look through their page on TH-cam with that in mind. (I constantly have to remind myself when watching their videos!) You might want to react to one of their videos. Their best known are their web series Villains Lair. (The new episode is coming out on the 26th). But you might want to start with a stand alone video. Bump in the Night of one of my favorites, but I’d also suggest Born Bad (the song that should have been in the new Cruella movie, but wasn’t. ) That’s a catchy tune written by Layne and Tony that you’ll come out humming.
I think I'm right in saying that this was their first theatrical style video; what Tony calls a new venture for them. They've come a long way since then.The man in the mask is Tony Wakim, a former member of VP who now runs Pattycake Productions with Layne Stein. He wanted to concentrate more on behind the camera work but has a lovely voice. "In 2011, Tony Wakim, who knew Castellucci as a colleague in the Beetlejuice Graveyard Revue at Universal Studios Orlando, joined as the baritone. Near the end of 2016, Wakim decided to leave VoicePlay. This was announced in January 2017, as VoicePlay opened auditions for a new baritone.
Tony Wakim was the baritone for VoicePlay but really wanted to get into production. Layne and Tony bought Pattycake Productions where VoicePlay and Geoff's solos are often done in that studio. J None came on as the baritone. If you get a chance, look up VoicePlay's version of Road Trip done live on the Sing-Off tour. Eli is the driver, Tony the front passenger with Layne, Earl and Geoff in the back seat. Get the version with over 9 million views and you won't be sorry.
This is #VoicePlay delving into their theater side early-on. And it's still a beautifully haunting creation. Their patreon shows Tony still doing whatever part is necessary to make things happen, like all of the group does, but he's with Pattycake now. And that's another rabbit hole to follow as Tony and Layne have a whole set of musical theater originals over there.
Great reaction as always! As the other Voice Players have said in the comments the Phantom is Tony Wakim, former baritone singer and co-owner of PattyCake Productions with Layne. Tony is still very much a part of the Voice Play family but he wanted to focus more on production and day to day operation of PattyCake Production. He does costumes (he made Rachel's dress here), camera work (he was the one that did the camera work on their recent Christmas video on his phone when their regular camera person was not available) and helped them with the dance and choreography as well (he was also the guard in "Hellfire"). Tony is in their older videos I would highly recommend checking out more of Tony in "Road Trip", "ACA Top Ten Old School Rap", and "Once Upon A Dream" for starters. I wish Tony would do some minis or occasional featured guest appearances with Voice Play but he stays busy behind the scenes now.
This is one of their early theatrical videos, along with "My Shot" from Hamilton. They did a bit of this one in their Top 10 series ( most of the Top 10s are live) "Top 10 Broadway Shows". If you like Broadway you may like "The Wicked Medley" with Rachel And Emoni Wilkins which is a newer video. You'll find Tony in their older videos but he retired from performing (except the guard in Hellfire) to go behind the camera and production with Layne in Patty Cake Productions. #Voiceplay#HighlyReActive
So the guys sampled this one in a video from their aca top 10 series, "Broadway." It's one of the older videos on their page and has virtually no production on it. It's like watching a live performance. It's maybe my favorite of the ACA top 10's too, because it's hilarious. And if you watch all the way to the end, past the credits, there's a little blooper reel of Earl on there. Definitely suggest that one for a fun time! ❤️
I personally love their version of Phantom of the Opera. Maybe I am not too picky, but I found it quite enjoyable. I might not know music very well, but I know what I like.
That is former member Tony Wakim. He was with Voiceplay 2011-2016. He left to go behind the scenes. He and Layne bought Pattycake Productions where they make their own original videos from concept to TH-cam and beyond. All Disney related videos. Mostly villains. Their latest video 2 videos are "Ariel Evolution/Fish Out of Water" and "Cinderella Evolution/If The Shoe Fits". My favorites are "Villains Haunted Mansion", "Bump In The Night" and "Villains Lair series" they will be releasing "S2E5 Life's Not Fair" on January 26th. About a bunch of Disney villains getting together to get revenge on those that wronged them. "Will of Oz" is Dorothy going down the yellow brick road singing to Will I Am songs. This is also where Voiceplay and Geoff Castellucci film most of their videos. With Tony doing directions, puppeteering and various other things to help with the videos. In Jingle Bell Rock he showed the guys how to do the dance from the Mean Girls movie. And puppeteered the cd player at Layne's face. I'm a Patreon of Voiceplay, Geoff and Pattycake Productions. And just joined the $1 tier Patreon for Clamavi De Profundis. These guys are amazing as well. They do mostly dwarven, fantasy type songs. My favorite of theirs is "Last Goodbye". But also "Diggy Diggy Hole", "Son of Durin" and "When The Hammer Falls". Geoff Castellucci and Clamavi are very close in best "Far Over The Misty Mountains Cold" versions.
I agree with Badger77722 that you would enjoy a great laugh with Voiceplay's "Roadtrip". Another song that will have you wondering just what they were thinking is "The Chicken Song"
This was epic! Up until this video, they guys mostly used videos to promote their in-person performances. Layne saw that videos in and of themselves would be a good thing to get into for a performance medium. They all have backgrounds as performers at various theme parks (they're from Orlando) so it wasn't much of a stretch. Baritone Tony Wakim, awesome here as the Phantom, was Dracula in the Beetlejuice Revue at Universal where Geoff was Frankenstein's Monster (and Kathy was Bride of Frankenstein long before she and Geoff married), which is where Geoff recruited him for VoicePlay. Tony didn't like touring, though. He and Layne co-own PattyCake Productions, where Tony is fabulous as a producer, director, costumer, choreographer, and writer/composer. He's often involved in video shoots for Geoff and VoicePlay, just behind the camera. If you want to hear more of Tony, check out VoicePlay's Road Trip (the version when they were on the Sing-Off tour has professional audio/video), One Minute Musicals: Stuck in Traffic, and an audience-recorded version of The Chicken Song. Then go to Pattycake Productions and watch Quarantine: The Musical, written by Tony and Layne. Tony plays a dad trying to work at home during the pandemic shutdown, borrowing Layne's dog and youngest daughter. (Layne's daughters all call him Uncle Tony.) Tony's sister Maggie is the gal planning her wedding, and is the persona Tony is channeling in Chicken Song.
Not going to lie, I saw the video title and thought, "What?!? Fail!?" (Out of shock, not anger, you're obviously allowed to like or not like whatever 😂) - but then I laughed because this is a great cover, and I was pretty sure yall would enjoy it! 🙌🏻🙌🏻
Tony Wakim in the mask, who is a business partner with Layne in Patty Cake Productions, and is a past member of VoicePlay and who J. None took his place. Geoff with short hair and a Bow tie.
One of my favorite #Voiceplay videos Phantom of the Opera is one of my favorite musicals. Love your reactions ♥ one of my favorite things about #Voiceplay they are very theatrical
Oh, for other Phans, especially those who have read the original book, The Phantom Of The Opera, or even just those who like the musical I must recommend the book "Phantom" by Susan Kay. It's the story of the Phantom, Eric's life, told from different viewpoints, starting with his mother. If you've read the novel you'll get more references, but if you haven't I think you'll still live it. It's SUCH a good book, my second favorite book of all time, I reread it every other year or so, and adore it every time. And I'm a total bookaholic, average two books a week, too, so I've read A LOT of books!
It's funny that you thought maybe the masked Phantom was Geoff. It's surprising to see Geoff sitting in the chair when he takes off his mask because this video was before he grew his hair long and it was hard to recognize him at first.
I see what you did there, cheeky devils. 🙂 Like VoicePlay would ever give us an epic fail! Oh ye of little faith! In penance, go forth and -watch VoicePlay's cover of Once Upon A Dream. Don't worry, it's short. And then, once you're okay, go- watch their cover of In the Hall of the Mountain King. ** It has come to my attention that you are not the correct target audience for Once Upon A Dream. Please ignore this suggestion and carry on.
Normally I’m allll about encouraging folks to check out Once Upon a Dream, but I think LeeJaay has a heart issue? It worries me a little, knowing what that video is like, thinking about what it could do to him. Not trying to criticize or make you feel bad or anything, and I apologize if it comes across that way-sometimes I don’t communicate well.
Tony was VoicePlay's baritone before J None. He left apparently because he really wanted to concentrate on the making of the videos. At this point in time, they were still touring. Since then Tony & Layne began PattyCake Productions, which aside from being a space for filming, also puts together its own videos, including writing original music, directing, costuming, choreography, etc.
In Phantom here, Tony actually made Rachel's dress. So this video is not only really the beginning of 'modern' theatrical VoicePlay, but also the costuming 'department' of PattyCake.
Oh damn. We never knew. Thank you for sharing ☺️
Another video with Tony Wakim in a prominent role is "Road Trip", done after VoicePlay competed on the 4th season of The Sing-off (which Home Free won). It was a tour that several competitors from The Sing-off were on - and Road Trip is a hoot, I think you'll both enjoy it a lot!
Sounds amazing Badger 😊
Oh! The guy in the mask is Tony Wakim, former VP Baritone. He and Layne co-own Pattycake Productions, where #Voiceplay now does quite a few of their videos. Some day you should look up Voiceplay's "Road Trip." Pure comedy/musical brilliance.
Ohhh thats awesome Draven. Thank you for sharing 😊
@@highlyreactivereactions Happy to help!
Having seen Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman (whom it was written for) onstage in this, I am VERY picky about my POTO. The first time I saw this I didn't know it was A Cappella and clicked off after a few seconds, and it's so different to the original. But I came back when I knew Voiceplay better and love it! Tony makes a good Phantom, Rachel an excellent Christine.
Rachel has been moving toward a country music career, but she has done Broadway, as well as Disney. She is Voiceplay's most frequent collaborator.
As you've seen, Voiceplay always pays homage to the original, but will never do a cookie cutter version of anything.
Tony left in 2016, J None replaced him in 2018 so everything during the gap will have a featured artist, as they have now.
Definitely NOT a fail.
Thats amazing. Thank you for sharing
Funny you should mention their latest Christmas video where they were onstage and in the audience. Tony was there, filming the video for them on iPhone. (They hadn’t been able to schedule a cameraman since both of their usual cameramen had moved out of state). He was also helping Layne direct and teaching the guys their dance.
Before he joined Voiceplay, he had done a lot of work for Disney, including being in the High School Musical movie. But his favorite role from that time was Dracula in the Beetlejuice show at Universal. (Yes, he already was great before this video at cape handling!)
He liked being with Voiceplay, but hated traveling. He and Layne had become close friends (he is Layne’s youngest daughter’s godfather) and they wanted to write and produce their own music videos, so they started Pattycake Productions. First recording at Layne’s Raynes Room Studio and using various locations for their shoots, they stored all their props and costumes in garages. Later, when Orange Studios (which they and VoicePlay both used) shut down, they decided to open their own production studio. It’s moved several times, but I think they’re very happy in their current space.
And I think someone mentioned Rachael’s dress. Tony’s mother and grandmother were both seamstresses. He took an interest at an early age and as his interest in theatrical costuming grew, so did that talent. He makes almost all the costuming for Pattycake. You might take a look through their page on TH-cam with that in mind. (I constantly have to remind myself when watching their videos!)
You might want to react to one of their videos. Their best known are their web series Villains Lair. (The new episode is coming out on the 26th). But you might want to start with a stand alone video. Bump in the Night of one of my favorites, but I’d also suggest Born Bad (the song that should have been in the new Cruella movie, but wasn’t. ) That’s a catchy tune written by Layne and Tony that you’ll come out humming.
Awesome stuff. Thank you for sharing that knowledge with us. We appreciate it ☺️
@@highlyreactivereactions Ooooo, YES! "Born Bad" is great! And so well done!
I think I'm right in saying that this was their first theatrical style video; what Tony calls a new venture for them. They've come a long way since then.The man in the mask is Tony Wakim, a former member of VP who now runs Pattycake Productions with Layne Stein. He wanted to concentrate more on behind the camera work but has a lovely voice. "In 2011, Tony Wakim, who knew Castellucci as a colleague in the Beetlejuice Graveyard Revue at Universal Studios Orlando, joined as the baritone. Near the end of 2016, Wakim decided to leave VoicePlay. This was announced in January 2017, as VoicePlay opened auditions for a new baritone.
Thank you for sharing Christine 😊
Tony Wakim was the baritone for VoicePlay but really wanted to get into production. Layne and Tony bought Pattycake Productions where VoicePlay and Geoff's solos are often done in that studio. J None came on as the baritone. If you get a chance, look up VoicePlay's version of Road Trip done live on the Sing-Off tour. Eli is the driver, Tony the front passenger with Layne, Earl and Geoff in the back seat. Get the version with over 9 million views and you won't be sorry.
Sounds awesome! We will have to check that one out
This is #VoicePlay delving into their theater side early-on. And it's still a beautifully haunting creation.
Their patreon shows Tony still doing whatever part is necessary to make things happen, like all of the group does, but he's with Pattycake now. And that's another rabbit hole to follow as Tony and Layne have a whole set of musical theater originals over there.
Thats amazing Holly. Thank you for sharing that info with us ☺️
Great reaction as always! As the other Voice Players have said in the comments the Phantom is Tony Wakim, former baritone singer and co-owner of PattyCake Productions with Layne. Tony is still very much a part of the Voice Play family but he wanted to focus more on production and day to day operation of PattyCake Production. He does costumes (he made Rachel's dress here), camera work (he was the one that did the camera work on their recent Christmas video on his phone when their regular camera person was not available) and helped them with the dance and choreography as well (he was also the guard in "Hellfire"). Tony is in their older videos I would highly recommend checking out more of Tony in "Road Trip", "ACA Top Ten Old School Rap", and "Once Upon A Dream" for starters. I wish Tony would do some minis or occasional featured guest appearances with Voice Play but he stays busy behind the scenes now.
Thats awesome. Thank you for sharing that knowledge with us ☺️
This is one of their early theatrical videos, along with "My Shot" from Hamilton. They did a bit of this one in their Top 10 series ( most of the Top 10s are live) "Top 10 Broadway Shows". If you like Broadway you may like "The Wicked Medley" with Rachel And Emoni Wilkins which is a newer video. You'll find Tony in their older videos but he retired from performing (except the guard in Hellfire) to go behind the camera and production with Layne in Patty Cake Productions. #Voiceplay#HighlyReActive
Thats awesome. Thank you for sharinf
#VoicePlay! I’m a huge Phantom of the Opera fan and I love this version! ❤
It was magnificent ☺️
So the guys sampled this one in a video from their aca top 10 series, "Broadway."
It's one of the older videos on their page and has virtually no production on it. It's like watching a live performance.
It's maybe my favorite of the ACA top 10's too, because it's hilarious. And if you watch all the way to the end, past the credits, there's a little blooper reel of Earl on there.
Definitely suggest that one for a fun time! ❤️
Thats amazing Traci. Thank you for sharing the info with us
Phantom of the Opera is my favorite Broadway musical, and this cover is just phenomenal!!
Very beautiful
I personally love their version of Phantom of the Opera. Maybe I am not too picky, but I found it quite enjoyable. I might not know music very well, but I know what I like.
Nothing wrong with having an acquired taste Barbara ☺️
That is former member Tony Wakim. He was with Voiceplay 2011-2016. He left to go behind the scenes. He and Layne bought Pattycake Productions where they make their own original videos from concept to TH-cam and beyond. All Disney related videos. Mostly villains.
Their latest video 2 videos are "Ariel Evolution/Fish Out of Water" and "Cinderella Evolution/If The Shoe Fits".
My favorites are "Villains Haunted Mansion", "Bump In The Night" and "Villains Lair series" they will be releasing "S2E5 Life's Not Fair" on January 26th. About a bunch of Disney villains getting together to get revenge on those that wronged them.
"Will of Oz" is Dorothy going down the yellow brick road singing to Will I Am songs.
This is also where Voiceplay and Geoff Castellucci film most of their videos. With Tony doing directions, puppeteering and various other things to help with the videos. In Jingle Bell Rock he showed the guys how to do the dance from the Mean Girls movie. And puppeteered the cd player at Layne's face.
I'm a Patreon of Voiceplay, Geoff and Pattycake Productions.
And just joined the $1 tier Patreon for Clamavi De Profundis. These guys are amazing as well. They do mostly dwarven, fantasy type songs. My favorite of theirs is "Last Goodbye". But also "Diggy Diggy Hole", "Son of Durin" and "When The Hammer Falls".
Geoff Castellucci and Clamavi are very close in best "Far Over The Misty Mountains Cold" versions.
Thats awesome. Thank you for sharing
@@highlyreactivereactions
You're very welcome 🤗
I love reactions to this one! Fail? Cheeky! Great job, gentlemen 😊
😂 Defintely a pass ☺️
I agree with Badger77722 that you would enjoy a great laugh with Voiceplay's "Roadtrip". Another song that will have you wondering just what they were thinking is "The Chicken Song"
Sounds interesting ☺️
Just a suggestion If I were a rich man/girl from fiddler on the roof is a great cover as well!
Thank you for the recommendation Betsy ☺️
This was epic! Up until this video, they guys mostly used videos to promote their in-person performances. Layne saw that videos in and of themselves would be a good thing to get into for a performance medium. They all have backgrounds as performers at various theme parks (they're from Orlando) so it wasn't much of a stretch. Baritone Tony Wakim, awesome here as the Phantom, was Dracula in the Beetlejuice Revue at Universal where Geoff was Frankenstein's Monster (and Kathy was Bride of Frankenstein long before she and Geoff married), which is where Geoff recruited him for VoicePlay. Tony didn't like touring, though. He and Layne co-own PattyCake Productions, where Tony is fabulous as a producer, director, costumer, choreographer, and writer/composer. He's often involved in video shoots for Geoff and VoicePlay, just behind the camera.
If you want to hear more of Tony, check out VoicePlay's Road Trip (the version when they were on the Sing-Off tour has professional audio/video), One Minute Musicals: Stuck in Traffic, and an audience-recorded version of The Chicken Song. Then go to Pattycake Productions and watch Quarantine: The Musical, written by Tony and Layne. Tony plays a dad trying to work at home during the pandemic shutdown, borrowing Layne's dog and youngest daughter. (Layne's daughters all call him Uncle Tony.) Tony's sister Maggie is the gal planning her wedding, and is the persona Tony is channeling in Chicken Song.
Thats awesome Shirley. Thank you for sharing
Not going to lie, I saw the video title and thought, "What?!? Fail!?" (Out of shock, not anger, you're obviously allowed to like or not like whatever 😂) - but then I laughed because this is a great cover, and I was pretty sure yall would enjoy it! 🙌🏻🙌🏻
😂😂 Defintely a pass! Great cover
Tony Wakim in the mask, who is a business partner with Layne in Patty Cake Productions, and is a past member of VoicePlay and who J. None took his place. Geoff with short hair and a Bow tie.
Thats awesome! Thank you for sharing
One of my favorite #Voiceplay videos Phantom of the Opera is one of my favorite musicals. Love your reactions ♥ one of my favorite things about #Voiceplay they are very theatrical
We did defintely love this is one ☺️
@@highlyreactivereactions can I suggest another group there not acapella
Oh, for other Phans, especially those who have read the original book, The Phantom Of The Opera, or even just those who like the musical I must recommend the book "Phantom" by Susan Kay. It's the story of the Phantom, Eric's life, told from different viewpoints, starting with his mother. If you've read the novel you'll get more references, but if you haven't I think you'll still live it. It's SUCH a good book, my second favorite book of all time, I reread it every other year or so, and adore it every time. And I'm a total bookaholic, average two books a week, too, so I've read A LOT of books!
Thats amazing Draven. Thank you for sharing ☺️
It's funny that you thought maybe the masked Phantom was Geoff. It's surprising to see Geoff sitting in the chair when he takes off his mask because this video was before he grew his hair long and it was hard to recognize him at first.
Haha yeah agreed 😅
Check out Dan Vasc's version of this song, featuring Dragica!
Thank you for the recommendation
I see what you did there, cheeky devils. 🙂 Like VoicePlay would ever give us an epic fail! Oh ye of little faith!
In penance, go forth and -watch VoicePlay's cover of Once Upon A Dream. Don't worry, it's short. And then, once you're okay, go- watch their cover of In the Hall of the Mountain King.
** It has come to my attention that you are not the correct target audience for Once Upon A Dream. Please ignore this suggestion and carry on.
Normally I’m allll about encouraging folks to check out Once Upon a Dream, but I think LeeJaay has a heart issue? It worries me a little, knowing what that video is like, thinking about what it could do to him. Not trying to criticize or make you feel bad or anything, and I apologize if it comes across that way-sometimes I don’t communicate well.
@@r.d.stratford106 No worries- I was unaware of any medical issues, so my apologies. I am certainly not intending to do harm to anyone out there.
All good, and thanks for being cool about it! Hope you have a great day 😀@@CynicalTesuji
Haha not going to lie that sounds really interesting! We may have to check that one out
#VOICEPLAY
💯