The milestone birthdays of great theater composers are often heralded with tribute concerts and revivals. People give achievement awards and make speeches. It’s a good time.
So naturally, the Phantom of the Opera, as a composer himself, wants a piece of that action. His big bash — the 25th Anniversary Concert, which was recorded in London last year on the actual anniversary — aired in the US for the first time last night.
Here at The Craptacular, we love the Phantom. We love him because, as persons of a certain age, we associate him with our earliest experiences of theater. And because we love his continuing superstardom in the face of changing theater trends. And because we’ve never been able to answer this burning question: If the Phantom is such a magician and a genius inventor, and such a fan of creepy dolls, why can’t he just fix his face?
In an attempt to answer that question – and many others you undoubtedly have – here’s a roundup of stuff we’ve written lately about our favorite birthday boy – the OG himself. And some extras about his friends and associates.
- Q&A: Caught in the Act With… Sierra Boggess
- 3 Hadley Fraser Videos You Have to Watch Right Now
- 10 Hot Photos of The Phantom and Raoul… er… Ramin Karimloo and Hadley Fraser
- 10 Great Holiday Gifts for… The Phantom
- Better Than the First Time: Phantom in London
- Poll: The Phantom’s Newfound Hotness, Explained (But Not Really…)
- The Phantom of the Christmas Album
- 5 Hot Guys on (or Off) the West End; Two-Disc Special Edition
- 9 Things About Phantom Las Vegas that are Different than Phantom Everywhere Else
- 3 (Or Possibly More) Reasons Why Love Never Dies Is Completely Awesome
{ 1 comment… add one }
OK, so I’m a recent-comer to your blog. And now I know that I will be a longtime devotee, just because you, too, ‘fess up to your undying affection for the Phantom. “…because, as persons of a certain age, we associate him with our earliest experiences of theater.” Yes. Oh, yes.
That video of Michael Crawford singing Colors of the Wind is to die for. And I say this with all due love and respect, given that I wanted to marry Mr. Crawford for most of my teenage years. It really DOES sound like The Phantom of the Christmas Album.
Thanks, from my inner fourteen-year-old and me.