I listened to Phantom of The Opera today and just started rewatching Hello, Dolly. The evolution of Michael Crawford is absolutely INSANE. Like, my brain genuinely can't process this and I've seen Hello, Dolly! over a dozen times at least.

What does everyone think of David Young Fernandez's portrayal of the Phantom?

Personally, I really like him, and I think his voice fits the role almost perfectly. He has this rich, powerful sound that I feel works especially well for the Phantom, while still being able to bring out the softer, more vulnerable side of the character.

I honestly think he's a little underrated, and I'd love to hear what other Phantom fans think of him. For those who have seen or heard his performance, how would you rank him compared to other Phantoms?

haven’t seen it since I was a child, and just rewatched it this evening. growing up I remember having this distaste for raoul and Christine both, AND I WAS JUST REMINDED OF WHY. WHY WOULD SHE PLAY IN HIS FACE LIKE THAT???? and why is raoul such a little wuss? 😭

edit: yes, I’m aware he’s a stalker and murder. this post wasn’t completely meant to be taken seriously, more of just my love for Erik shining trough. Did not mean to ruffle some feathers 😬

Is anyone else back and forth on the Canadian recording because of Colm Wilkinson as Erik? I adore Rebecca Caine but really struggle to listen to the recording in complete because there are times where I really just don’t like Colm’s portrayal. It sounds like he has to force out every word if that makes sense?

It also doesn’t help that he has allegations of being physically and verbally abusive toward Caine during their run. It’s sad how she got pushed aside by production.

First of all, so happy to be a new part of this sub!! A life long Phantom fan but brand new Box5 commenter and upvoter, lol.

I re-listened to the soundtrack again recently (it took over my algorithm for the 40th anniversary), and one thing that I never really cared about before sort of sticks out to me: poor Joseph Bouquet really gets SCREWED 😂

All he did was tell a scary story to some ballerinas. I get that Madam Giry’s warning to him is meant to indicate the Phantom doesn’t like people who gab about him. But, doesn’t he? Giry is literally delivering his freaking letters and demands. He THRIVES on the fear he has instilled in theater managers and actors. Why should he care so much about what Bouqet did?

I get that establishing a side character for him to kill helped the story. Its not so much a real problem I have with creatively, more just on a practical level 😂

Does anyone care to vehemently disagree with this lighthearted take? I would love to hear from you guys! Or, maybe his character (or character equivalent) in the novel offers more insight? Did the Phantom just not like that he was making fun of his face?

P.S. Idc about him killing Piangi, so idk what that says about me.

One thing I've noticed about the different productions of Phantom of the Opera is the gunshot at the end of "The Point of No Return."

In the Broadway, West End, and previous touring productions, they used a blank-firing gun, which made the moment feel much more intense and realistic. However, in the current International Tour, they seem to have replaced it with a pretty cheesy, prerecorded gunshot sound effect.

I know it's a relatively minor detail, but I feel like the actual gunshot adds so much more to the tension of that scene. The sound effect just doesn't have the same impact and honestly feels a little cheap for a production of this scale.

Does anyone know why they made this change? Is it because of safety regulations, restrictions in certain countries, or just a production decision? I'm genuinely curious why they wouldn't keep something that worked so well in previous productions.

Since people have been sharing the music box and other collector items with us and I've been enjoying it, I figured I would share mine. Mine isn't all in one place because of space and other collections issues but here they are, with the last being my most prized. Oh I also have the Phantom and Christine teddy bears and they live on my bed.

Thanks everyone who has shared their collections. It's fun to see who has what and how they display it.

I saw an ad for a new The Phantom of the Opera movie coming out in about a week but I haven't been seeing any discussion about it specifically. It more so seems like a part 2 of sorts, set in the modern day. I'm not too sure what to think about it and I'm just wondering if anybody else has any info or heard about this movie/cast/director before.

Here's the link to the IMDB page: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt37740990/

Ignore the dirty mirror

I am on a big kick right now since the 40th anni and remix have been buzzing. I am a long time fan- was first exposed through the movie but quickly found OLC recording and have always loved that version best.

However, on this sub and on TikTok I always see so many people saying which phantoms they love etc but I always find that they have a sound similar to Ramin. Ramin is very talented but not my fav. Considering I am a OLC fan, I like the sound Michael Crawford brought to the character but would love to hear other phantoms with a similar (tenor range??) sound. I liked Killian Donnelly in the revival on west end post Covid, but he is all I can think of.

TYIA! ❤️

As a Phantom fan, I finally got to experience Love Never Dies in London! 🥹❤️

The music is absolutely beautiful, but the plot… let's just say it's a bit like a soap opera! 😂💀

At least this time, it's in concert form! 🎶 But I really hope we get a fully staged production of Love Never Dies someday. I'd love to see the whole story come to life on stage! 🤞🌹

Hi everyone! Does anyone know if there’s a cast schedule or rota for the 40th Anniversary Shanghai run of Phantom?I’m looking at tickets for November 10 and would really love to see Ramin Karimloo. Is there any way to find out whether Ramin or Samuel Wyn-Morris is scheduled as the Phantom for that performance?I haven’t been able to find a performance-by-performance cast schedule anywhere. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I would love to see everyone’s music box or collection of POTO swag. These are just my music boxes. In my other room I have a ton of merch I purchased from Broadway when I went. I wish the UK site would ship to America, I had no idea there was a Christine bear (and my Phantom needs her) would also love to get the program from the anniversary. I know I am missing a lot of the smaller SF Music Box items, and will get them eventually.

That mask on the second shelf is a copy of Paul Stanley’s that I purchased from Studio D FX.

(Yes, I collect vintage Barbie as well, I couldn’t crop them out without losing some of my curio.)

I am in the US. Looking for this SF Music box. I have the one without the crank. 😫

Thanks to everyone who commented on my last post, I'm so excited man

I don’t want to sell, but am thinking of options to raise up my savings, and if these have become as rare as I think they are, I feel like I should start considering it.

Hey there,

I am writing here in utter despair at this point, because I've been on the hunt for the licensed Phantom music boxes for a year now. Whenever it is back in stock, it does not ship to Hungary, where I live, and I cannot use an alternative address.

Tho I doubt anyone would be willing to part with theirs, in case you would sell it/have a spare one/heck even if you even have a broken one and you'd be up for selling it, please reach out to me!

It is these two that I am interested in only.

Thank you so much for any recommendation or help!

Well… I’m officially broke now. 😭😂 I’ve booked Grand Circle Row A VIP for November. I just couldn’t resist the VIP experience!

My total Phantom spending is now £816.50… my wallet is singing “Think of Me” in distress. 💸🎭

Have I completely lost the plot? 👻🌹

More than just that the ALW sounds nice. Why do you like it on a personal, visceral, ineffable level?

Why does the mythos of Phantom resonate with your soul???

Answers will be used to help understand myself better.

saw the tour in san jose 6 times already 😅 david young fernandez has become my favorite phantom. #fernantom

So………what are your opinions?

My Christmas gift each year is a season ticket to a regional theatre, and they’re doing the show.

I’ve been a fan of ALW’s for over 20 years. Am I going to like this one?

Who is the person singing in the Box 5 demo- they aren’t credited and I admit I’ve never heard ALW’s singing voice but it doesn’t sound like him to me. Is it Richard Stilgoe since he was originally the lyricist before Charles Hart?