I went to school with Steve Barton (Raoul) in Nederland, Texas. He was a wonderful, generous, very nice boy. I am so proud of him!! I mourn the fact that he died so tragically, but I treasure my memories of his beautiful talent. Thank you for posting this video.
What a memory...i went to NYC and saw this when it first opened. I met Michael Crawford and Steve Barton. Utter,beautiful magic.....there's a reason this has been running for 35 +years.
@rt3593 You're SOOO lucky! I've wanted to meet Michael Crawford for many years. I remember his voice from my young childhood, when one of my favorite animated movies was "Once Upon A Forest". I wouldn't know the full spectrum of his career, though, until I was 13, and the movie version of "Phantom" came out. As soon as I got my allowance, I bought the first CD soundtrack I found with the logo on it, though I forgot to read the proverbial fine print. A couple of weeks later, and home from school with a cold, I put on the CD and realized that they weren't the same voices. I turned over the case and saw a label beneath the track list: "Original London Cast Recording, 1986". I fell in love for the second time. As I learned about Michael's backstory, particularly with being raised by a single mother and the extreme school bullying he endured, the more I came to regard him as a kindred spirit. I hope you be able to tell him that face-to-face one day. (7/12/2023)
@daniellemusella1594 I saw many really good performers as POTO...Crawford literally performed Phantom as an ephemeral spirit I think, as opposed to a more physical figure....1993 Kevin Gray performed in Dallas,.he was wonderful, but got moved from POTO to MISS SAIGON..I SAW HIM PERFORM Phantom ABOUT 6 TIMES....Dallas would run a musical for about 2- 3 weeks. POTO ran there For over 6 months. We had to get tickets 18 months ahead of time...but due to previews being ran due to the technical requirements, I called 2 days to see if they had any tickets...I couldn't wait to see it again.. WONDER OF WONDER....2 days prior to opening, I carried my mom and brother, and we got tickets for 3rd Row. Center. WOW!! THE 5TH TIME IN NYC, WE GOT THE PRIME SEAT IN THE HOUSE...FRONT BALCONY, DEAD CENTER (my friend who had never seen it,was a bit overwhelmed by the rising,approaching chandelier....it gets quite close to the bslcony ....she asked, " That IS going to stop coming any nearer".... POTO, I believe, DID NOT CLOSE, because low tix sales...indeed, the tix were in a upswing. Lloyd Webber said as much on a recent mysterious interview on a late night TV INTERVIEW. you get the impression that it may have been out of his hands...closed due to the fact that NYC has become a cesspool of crime and crumbling society? Something with the Schubert organization over the Majestic theater... I dunno. BUT...on TH-cam. Andrew Lloyd Webber on Jimmy Fallon. ALW says things that are quite enigmatic, and maybe a little bit of quiet dissension...Anyway,he appeared about a week after POTO closed and his demeanor is....to me....a bit restrained. Fallon asked could there be a revival...Lloyd Webber quite wryly, says " Good musicals ALWAYS return," ....hhhmmmmmm...but Fallon then says, " somebody said to give you this...Fallon hands LLOYD WEBBER an envelope from.....THE OPERA GHOST....Lloyd Webber is,I believe, gobsmacked by this....the letter has the red skull seal and the calligraphy print....he opens the letter and reads it to the audience.. No spoiler here, but watch it...then you decipher the somewhat unhappy tone of the letter. It's a great footnote to the POTO legend. One that left me both sad and curious!! Thanks for Your wonderful letter and sharing your memories. 🥲
@@daniellemusella1594 I saw him in concert and he told the story about the night the computer-contolled staging "attacked "him and Brightman singing during the labyrinth scene,and they continued to sing while dodging flying drapery and rolling props from other scenes...he said the audience that night had a good natured laugh so they comically continued the performance... I read also that Crawford's shoe were painfully small to create a small tapering visual. But in his biography Crawford talks about during the first weeks of the new York opening his makeup was so constrictive and he had to wear a contact lens on the unmasked side of his face that really restricted his vision...one night after a performance, a well known celebrity visited him in his dressing room. He told her about his discomfort and she told him that even though she was sitting in the front, she couldn't even see the colored eye effect. She advised him to leave it alone, and he took her advice. In his book, Crawford said that no one seemed to be the wiser, and that it really relieved a lot of pain and discomfort plus it didn't obscure his vision . So he seemed to be quite appreciative of this lady's advice. Oh. The lady was Lucille Ball. As I said, I got to meet him...he signed my program and happily posed for a photo. Such a gentlemanly presence. It's lengthy but read.Lloyd Webber's UNMASKED autobiography.
Ahhh, I was just coming to the comments to say something like this, and was thrilled to see someone else felt the same. Barton's voice was naturally so warm and comforting sounding. And he really imbued the role of Raoul with nobility. He played him like a noble knight. He made you understand why Christine could be drawn to him as well as the phantom, which really added even better tension to the show. Barton and his warm voice gone far too soon. At least we have his wonderful self on recordings.
SIde note, I have to add, this is also why I hate the sequel.....they did the Raoul character so damn dirty....I wish I'd never seen it. For those who know the sequel, since Raoul ends up being the bad guy, then it cuts out that great tension of the original trio, when he was the good childhood friend turned noble knight who is in love with his childhood sweetheart. So if Raoul's not the bad guy, then you really understand how torn up Christine was at the end, and why it makes the ending so emotional. The sequel just ruins all that great angst. Ugh. Anyway. I've clearly spent too much time thinking about this haha
Barton was amazing as Raoul. Some actors play Raoul too aggressively and almost seem like they’re gaslighting Christine, and in the end you’re kind of pissed that he gets the girl. But actors like Barton who play the role as a strong but gentle protector make you really love the character.
@kelliep.8514 I thought they'd do a bigger tribute at the most recent TONY Awards, given its legendary status, but I still liked what we got. They used "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" for the "In-Memoriam" portion of the show. Also...I have to admit that I audibly winced, when they showed a brief clip of the "Phantom" marquis, being switched off for the last time. Andrew has hinted that it may not truly be goodbye forever, but it still hurt to see, especially because I never got to see a live performance. (7/12/2023)
What a show. 35 years on Broadway, 10 years in Toronto, still running in London. It been part of more than 1/2 my life. Have lost count how many times I’ve seen this show. Never grow tired of this music. It just resonates with my spirit. Long live The Phantom.
I went to school with Steve Barton in Nederland, Texas, and I felt the same way about him then as you do now. He was a very fine boy, and a magnificent talent even then. I loved him then, and I love him now. I'm so sorry he's gone.
I was too young when this original cast broke out. I grew up listening to it on my CD. What a shame I didn’t get to see them on stage, but I saw the next best thing in Hugh Panaro!❤
15:23 little did he know at that time in 1988 that the show would be in that same theatre for 35 years following, breaking all records and expectations. I can’t wait for them to redevelop this gorgeous musical and come back in 10-15 years with the new version. I have confidence this will take place!!
I agree, they will definitely revive it, just a matter of when. Its not going to be a super long time. I think your guess of 10 -15 yrs is probably pretty good.
I doubt it will take 10+ years for a revival. They scaled down the London West End production post pandemic. They can potentially bring that scaled down production to Broadway within the next 3-5 years if there's enough interest.
@@Kris-fq9bi I've read they cut the orchestra from like 27 to 14. I don't live in London (I live in America) so I can't verify via a playbill or anything about how large the modern West End orchestra or cast are nowadays. I've also heard they changed aspects of the theater, like the ornaments around the stage etc.
@@l.n.3372 Thanks for the heads up about the scaled down version, I didn't even know this had been done. Actually I just remembered that a shortened version was playing Las Vegas for a while, but with more bangs and sparkles, typical of Vegas. I wonder how similar that is to the shortened version in London. I'll have to do some Googling about this when I have more time.
I've seen phantom numerous times in London, I've sat under the chandelier, I was at the anniversary concert at the Albert Hall. Personally, I firmly believe that if it was for Hal Prince, Maria Bjornson and the creative staff, this musical wouldn't have been as successful as it has become xxx
One of my fav-Mega Musicals from the great 1980's along with the likes; Cats, Starlight Express, Les Miz, Mutiny, Dave Clark's "Time" , Chess, Miss Saigon, Metropolis etc......
Oh wow! I wanted to see so many of those imported mega-musicals...I had the recording of " Time" and was really interested in seeing the Olivier hologram. I did see Starlight Express, and I thought it was a blast....I saw the original before the dozens of rewrites that completely altered the show....:" There's Me" was definitely an underrated pop anthem, a tear-jerking moment in an otherwise bombastic spectacle...but it made me feel like a kid again for a couple of hours. I have a soft spot for STARLIGHT. I saw TOMMY and was pleasantly exhausted by the end. That cast worked their asses off for 2 hours!! MISS SAIGON was good. Did you know the complete show is available on bluray. One of the better films of a show.
It's looks like queen mary ship name jackie scary Mary part of the same time lullaby maze Tim burton movies same place looks good books documentary about biography history channel VIP tickets tour New oasr awesome picture awards TCM channel on money made into store story about how much money does app magic key new number was looking for wicked musical show
I went to school with Steve Barton (Raoul) in Nederland, Texas. He was a wonderful, generous, very nice boy. I am so proud of him!! I mourn the fact that he died so tragically, but I treasure my memories of his beautiful talent. Thank you for posting this video.
What a memory...i went to NYC and saw this when it first opened. I met Michael Crawford and Steve Barton. Utter,beautiful magic.....there's a reason this has been running for 35 +years.
@rt3593 You're SOOO lucky! I've wanted to meet Michael Crawford for many years. I remember his voice from my young childhood, when one of my favorite animated movies was "Once Upon A Forest". I wouldn't know the full spectrum of his career, though, until I was 13, and the movie version of "Phantom" came out. As soon as I got my allowance, I bought the first CD soundtrack I found with the logo on it, though I forgot to read the proverbial fine print. A couple of weeks later, and home from school with a cold, I put on the CD and realized that they weren't the same voices. I turned over the case and saw a label beneath the track list: "Original London Cast Recording, 1986". I fell in love for the second time. As I learned about Michael's backstory, particularly with being raised by a single mother and the extreme school bullying he endured, the more I came to regard him as a kindred spirit. I hope you be able to tell him that face-to-face one day. (7/12/2023)
@daniellemusella1594 I saw many really good performers as POTO...Crawford literally performed Phantom as an ephemeral spirit I think, as opposed to a more physical figure....1993 Kevin Gray performed in Dallas,.he was wonderful, but got moved from POTO to MISS SAIGON..I SAW HIM PERFORM Phantom ABOUT 6 TIMES....Dallas would run a musical for about 2- 3 weeks. POTO ran there
For over 6 months. We had to get tickets 18 months ahead of time...but due to previews being ran due to the technical requirements, I called 2 days to see if they had any tickets...I couldn't wait to see it again..
WONDER OF WONDER....2 days prior to opening, I carried my mom and brother, and we got tickets for 3rd Row. Center. WOW!!
THE 5TH TIME IN NYC, WE GOT THE PRIME SEAT IN THE HOUSE...FRONT BALCONY, DEAD CENTER (my friend who had never seen it,was a bit overwhelmed by the rising,approaching chandelier....it gets quite close to the bslcony
....she asked, " That IS going to stop coming any nearer"....
POTO, I believe, DID NOT CLOSE, because low tix sales...indeed, the tix were in a upswing. Lloyd Webber said as much on a recent mysterious interview on a late night TV INTERVIEW. you get the impression that it may have been out of his hands...closed due to the fact that NYC has become a cesspool of crime and crumbling society? Something with the Schubert organization over the Majestic theater... I dunno.
BUT...on TH-cam. Andrew Lloyd Webber on Jimmy Fallon. ALW says things that are quite enigmatic, and maybe a little bit of quiet dissension...Anyway,he appeared about a week after POTO closed and his demeanor is....to me....a bit restrained. Fallon asked could there be a revival...Lloyd Webber quite wryly, says " Good musicals ALWAYS return,"
....hhhmmmmmm...but Fallon then says, " somebody said to give you this...Fallon hands LLOYD WEBBER an envelope from.....THE OPERA GHOST....Lloyd Webber is,I believe, gobsmacked by this....the letter has the red skull seal and the calligraphy print....he opens the letter and reads it to the audience..
No spoiler here, but watch it...then you decipher the somewhat unhappy tone of the letter.
It's a great footnote to the POTO legend. One that left me both sad and curious!!
Thanks for Your wonderful letter and sharing your memories. 🥲
You do know a very young Crawford is in the film version of HELLO,DOLLY, with Streisand.??
@@rt3593 I've seen clips. It looked like so much fun. Michael joked that he was able to sing so high, because of how tight his pants were. (7/13/2023)
@@daniellemusella1594 I saw him in concert and he told the story about the night the computer-contolled staging "attacked "him and Brightman singing during the labyrinth scene,and they continued to sing while dodging flying drapery and rolling props from other scenes...he said the audience that night had a good natured laugh so they comically continued the performance...
I read also that Crawford's shoe were painfully small to create a small tapering visual.
But in his biography Crawford talks about during the first weeks of the new York opening his makeup was so constrictive and he had to wear a contact lens on the unmasked side of his face that really restricted his vision...one night after a performance, a well known celebrity visited him in his dressing room. He told her about his discomfort and she told him that even though she was sitting in the front, she couldn't even see the colored eye effect. She advised him to leave it alone, and he took her advice. In his book, Crawford said that no one seemed to be the wiser, and that it really relieved a lot of pain and discomfort plus it didn't obscure his vision . So he seemed to be quite appreciative of this lady's advice.
Oh. The lady was Lucille Ball.
As I said, I got to meet him...he signed my program and happily posed for a photo. Such a gentlemanly presence.
It's lengthy but read.Lloyd Webber's UNMASKED autobiography.
Steve Barton's voice is so perfect for Raoul. I've never heard another Raoul who sounded that romantic and strong.
Ahhh, I was just coming to the comments to say something like this, and was thrilled to see someone else felt the same. Barton's voice was naturally so warm and comforting sounding. And he really imbued the role of Raoul with nobility. He played him like a noble knight. He made you understand why Christine could be drawn to him as well as the phantom, which really added even better tension to the show. Barton and his warm voice gone far too soon. At least we have his wonderful self on recordings.
SIde note, I have to add, this is also why I hate the sequel.....they did the Raoul character so damn dirty....I wish I'd never seen it. For those who know the sequel, since Raoul ends up being the bad guy, then it cuts out that great tension of the original trio, when he was the good childhood friend turned noble knight who is in love with his childhood sweetheart. So if Raoul's not the bad guy, then you really understand how torn up Christine was at the end, and why it makes the ending so emotional. The sequel just ruins all that great angst. Ugh. Anyway. I've clearly spent too much time thinking about this haha
He looked like Raoul as well, blonde with blue eyes. Sarah also had gorgeous blue eyes, porcelain face and youthful soprano voice like Christine.
Barton was amazing as Raoul. Some actors play Raoul too aggressively and almost seem like they’re gaslighting Christine, and in the end you’re kind of pissed that he gets the girl. But actors like Barton who play the role as a strong but gentle protector make you really love the character.
Officially closed ! 35 year run, nothing will ever come close to this masterpiece. RIP phantom on Broadway 😢
It will be closing but does NOT close until February 18, 2023.
So heartbreaking. It’s officially over now. The music of the night. 💔😢
@@originalkyliearnold Not entirely true. As long as music can be made in some form or fashion, Erik's story will never really be done. (7/12/2023)
@kelliep.8514 I thought they'd do a bigger tribute at the most recent TONY Awards, given its legendary status, but I still liked what we got. They used "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" for the "In-Memoriam" portion of the show. Also...I have to admit that I audibly winced, when they showed a brief clip of the "Phantom" marquis, being switched off for the last time. Andrew has hinted that it may not truly be goodbye forever, but it still hurt to see, especially because I never got to see a live performance. (7/12/2023)
"The show is all but guaranteed to run into the next decade." Try 3 1/2 decades! Still cannot believe this show is closing on Broadway.
There have been many Phantoms and Christines over the years...but Michael Crawford will always be No 1.
What a show. 35 years on Broadway, 10 years in Toronto, still running in London. It been part of more than 1/2 my life. Have lost count how many times I’ve seen this show. Never grow tired of this music. It just resonates with my spirit. Long live The Phantom.
A different time capsule and I lived in it.
Steve!!!❤️
I went to school with Steve Barton in Nederland, Texas, and I felt the same way about him then as you do now. He was a very fine boy, and a magnificent talent even then. I loved him then, and I love him now. I'm so sorry he's gone.
I was too young when this original cast broke out. I grew up listening to it on my CD. What a shame I didn’t get to see them on stage, but I saw the next best thing in Hugh Panaro!❤
I saw Richard Todd Adams and Marni Raab, great cast, even better than the Joel Schumacher trash. but the 25th anniversary is my favorite
Meu musical favorito. Michael é o melhor fantasma! 😍😍
12:27 "3 top 10 hits"
I am guessing those 3 songs were:
All I ask of you
Music of the Night
Phantom of the Opera
I thought one of them would “Point of no Return”
@@mickenziedavis3068 you wouldn't give away an Act 2 song for free
14:30 "There is no end in sight for this one." Still true. I just saw it at the Majestic Theater in NYC on 2/07/22. Still going strong! 💪
Unfortunately there is an end in sight now! 😢 February 2023, the chandelier will come down one more time.
It’s over now: The Music of the Night
@@JadneParks😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
15:23 little did he know at that time in 1988 that the show would be in that same theatre for 35 years following, breaking all records and expectations. I can’t wait for them to redevelop this gorgeous musical and come back in 10-15 years with the new version. I have confidence this will take place!!
I agree, they will definitely revive it, just a matter of when. Its not going to be a super long time. I think your guess of 10 -15 yrs is probably pretty good.
I doubt it will take 10+ years for a revival. They scaled down the London West End production post pandemic. They can potentially bring that scaled down production to Broadway within the next 3-5 years if there's enough interest.
@@l.n.3372 Oh interesting. Hmm. Is there a general opinion about how good the scaled down version is?
@@Kris-fq9bi
I've read they cut the orchestra from like 27 to 14. I don't live in London (I live in America) so I can't verify via a playbill or anything about how large the modern West End orchestra or cast are nowadays. I've also heard they changed aspects of the theater, like the ornaments around the stage etc.
@@l.n.3372 Thanks for the heads up about the scaled down version, I didn't even know this had been done. Actually I just remembered that a shortened version was playing Las Vegas for a while, but with more bangs and sparkles, typical of Vegas. I wonder how similar that is to the shortened version in London. I'll have to do some Googling about this when I have more time.
Incredible. Stunning!
I've seen phantom numerous times in London, I've sat under the chandelier, I was at the anniversary concert at the Albert Hall.
Personally, I firmly believe that if it was for Hal Prince, Maria Bjornson and the creative staff, this musical wouldn't have been as successful as it has become xxx
I remember taping this episode so my friends and I could watch it over and over. I saw POTO in the spring of 1988. 😊
One of my fav-Mega Musicals from the great 1980's along with the likes; Cats, Starlight Express, Les Miz, Mutiny, Dave Clark's "Time" , Chess, Miss Saigon, Metropolis etc......
Oh wow! I wanted to see so many of those imported mega-musicals...I had the recording of " Time" and was really interested in seeing the Olivier hologram.
I did see Starlight Express, and I thought it was a blast....I saw the original before the dozens of rewrites that completely altered the show....:" There's Me" was definitely an underrated pop anthem, a tear-jerking moment in an otherwise bombastic spectacle...but it made me feel like a kid again for a couple of hours. I have a soft spot for STARLIGHT.
I saw TOMMY and was pleasantly exhausted by the end. That cast worked their asses off for 2 hours!!
MISS SAIGON was good. Did you know the complete show is available on bluray. One of the better films of a show.
Saw Phantom twice with Michael. At the Ahmanson Theater in LA in 91. I got to hug him at the stage door ❤
None compared to Michael Crawford ❤
Sarah Brightman will forever be Christine....❤
Christine loves Raoul instead of Phantom? No I refuse it 😂
Mr. Webber is so young here.
What a shock, a yank journalist makes it all about him.
i know no one knows him but they should have TOMMY JOHANSSON play him.
It's looks like queen mary ship name jackie scary Mary part of the same time lullaby maze Tim burton movies same place looks good books documentary about biography history channel VIP tickets tour New oasr awesome picture awards TCM channel on money made into store story about how much money does app magic key new number was looking for wicked musical show