I know Jame's wife has since gone to Clearwater FL, so I think he agreed to extend for whatever reason at the last minute. I don't know him personally, so this is only speculation.
ThirstyThersites said: "As of about a week ago apparently he wasn't even sure when he's leaving. Something must have changed not sure why."
Casting updates as well. New Carlotta/Piangi, and Kaley Ann Vorhees returning as alternate. Barbour leaves in December, new Phantom starts a week or two before the anniversary performance.
Do we think they’ll go with a “diverse” Phantom for the 30th? There was such an emphasis on the diversity of the Christine and Raul in that announcement.
Dear lord is it Michael Xavier? He has never played the phantom in the phantom of the opera but he has done phantom before as Raoul. If kaylee is headed back over to phantom it makes me wonder if Michael is coming as well
starlightlocamotion said: "Dear lord is it Michael Xavier? He has never played the phantom in the phantom of the opera but he has done phantom before as Raoul. If kaylee is headed back over to phantom it makes me wonder if Michael is coming as well"
I was thinking the same thing. I really enjoyed his Phantom in POB.
Michael has said that after he did Phantom in London, he didn't want to replace again. He likes the freedom of originating roles. I don't know if he's changed his mind considering he's done Prince of Broadway, however that wasn't an exact recreation of all the shows.
johannabarker said: "Michael has said that after he did Phantom in London, he didn't want to replace again. He likes the freedom of originating roles. I don't know if he's changed his mind considering he's done Prince of Broadway, however that wasn't an exact recreation of all the shows."
I also asked him at PoB if he'd ever hop over to the Majestic and do the original, as he was splendid. but he said the contract was quite long doing it for 8 hows a week, and that he probably wouldn't want to. I was so hoping he would jump over. Still secretly hoping he said that to throw us off!
Part of me wishes they'd let Laird Mackintosh play the Phantom for the 30th anniversary. I know he's the understudy, but he's been with the show for a while now, and I think he's earned the right to be celebrated more thoroughly in the title role if they're not bringing back any popular veterans.
"Was uns befreit, das muss stärker sein als wir es sind." -Tanz der Vampire
actorgaedu said: "I think it's going to be Ramin Karimloo. ALW loves him and he just announced his departure from Anastasia. Great choice IMO. We'll see."
To my great relief, he's already announced a January concert series in London so he won't be available for the Broadway 30th. He's a good Phantom, but someone else also deserves to shine. I'm also hoping they don't do another Sierra stunt cast.
He's also said the 25th was basically the peak and he felt like it couldn't get any better, so I doubt he'd do it again.
Very excited to see what they do for the celebration on the 24th (strange as it is to have it on a Wednesday?), but I also have my tickets for the actual anniversary just in case it's a lotto again or something.
Elfuhbuh said: "Part of me wishes they'd let Laird Mackintosh play the Phantom for the 30th anniversary. I know he's the understudy, but he's been with the show for a while now, and I think he's earned the right to be celebrated more thoroughly in the title role if they're not bringing back any popular veterans."
Laird Mackintosh is excellent in the title role; he plays it very much in the Michael Crawford style, which I prefer, and I would've loved to have him on for the 30th. I also think Jeremy Stolle is brilliant and very deserving of a crack at it.
==> this board is a nest of vipers <==
"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene" - Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage
actorgaedu said: "I think it's going to be Ramin Karimloo. ALW loves him and he just announced his departure from Anastasia. Great choice IMO. We'll see."
I very much doubt this. Mr. Karimloo has made statements which suggest that his Phantom days are in the past now, and I think it would be too redundant in light of the fact that he already did the 25th.
==> this board is a nest of vipers <==
"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene" - Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage
Lot666 said: "Elfuhbuh said: "Part of me wishes they'd let Laird Mackintosh play the Phantom for the 30th anniversary. I know he's the understudy, but he's been with the show for a while now, and I think he's earned the right to be celebrated more thoroughly in the title role if they're not bringing back any popular veterans."
Laird Mackintosh is excellent in the title role; he plays it very much in the Michael Crawford style, which I prefer, and I would've loved to have him on for the 30th. I also think Jeremy Stolle is brilliant and very deserving of a crack at it."
I would LOVE to see Laird get the 30th anniversary. I really enjoy his Phantom and such a great guy!! I doubt they will give it to him, since they've announced he's taking over for the interim...have never seen Jeremy Stolle in the role, but I do love his voice!
I wonder if they will do a new photoshoot for the new 30th Anniversary and the new Phantom. New colors/logos/merchandise would be a great idea to keep things FRESH :). It would be super boring to still see James on the billboards and buses after the 26th!