Starting

I'm starting some rehearsal on the concert tomorrow morning.  

I've put together a tentative list of songs, which I'll add to and subtract from as I go along.

I'm also going to work on some duets...just in case someone just "shows up" :)

Oh Holy Night is definitely on the list as is Believe.  I'm a fan of Silent Night and of course Mele Kalikimaka.  Thinking about Blue Christmas and Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree.

So much fun!  I also have a good friend who wrote a great Hanukah song that he wants me to sing.

OK the new art work is definitely here.  Here's the poster. 

We're getting the new artwork up on the website as well.  

And oh,  just so you guys know, since we're going past Christmas, I am going to change up the post Christmas shows a bit.  Adding more Broadway tunes (but keeping some of my favorite Holiday songs as well).  

And yes, Andrew...there will be a Tale song or two in the mix.

Tickets for the show:  Click Here

Turkey Overload

What a meal...I'm still recovering.

I ate so much it was scary.  Turkey, stuffing, two different kinds of cranberry sauce (of course), veggies, spinach salad with pears, goat cheese and walnuts, muffins and breads, mashed potatoes (didn't have any of those), a chocolate torte and 6 different kinds of pie.  (Apple being my favorite).

I sat frozen in a carbohydrate, L-tryptophan stupor. Wonderful meal, wonderful family.  The baby was in heaven and the dogs got to run like crazy. It was overall a tremendous day.

We're back home and I'm already fast at work on the concert.  The guests are lining up and I'll be announcing them one at a time as we get closer to the event.

Hope you all had a great Holiday.  And now, since Thanksgiving has passed it's officially Christmas music playing time!

We've got some new artwork for the concert coming today.  The poster is going to be really nice, can't wait until it's finished.  It should be up on the smarttix site later this afternoon.

Check here

And while you're there...don't forget to get you tickets. We've already come close to selling out the premium seats on the 12/28 show.  So very excited.

Lotte

I'd like to talk about Little Lotte, where the name came from, why Raoul called her as such, and what areas of Christine’s childhood molded her into the person we see with the Phantom that perhaps influenced the choices she made in her life.

The name “Little Lotte” is actually from a poem entitled, “A Child’s First Sorrow” by Andreas Munch, a Norwegian Poet in the early 19th century. Leroux in his original works writes the first verse as follows, “Little Lotte thought of everything and nothing.” He changes the remaining of the verse as follows: “Her hair was golden as the sun's rays and her soul as clear and blue as her eyes. She wheedled her mother, was kind to her doll, took great care of her frock and her little red shoes and her fiddle, but most of all loved, when she went to sleep, to hear the Angel of Music." Leroux writes that her father told this story in front of Raoul, who picked up the name Lotte. Interesting as well, Leroux states her father always wove the tale of the Angel of Music in any story he told. Perhaps that is why the verse is changed.

However, the original poem by Munch translates:

“Little Lotte thought of everything and nothing. Like a butterfly she flew about in the gold of the sun. In her golden curls she the wore the crown of spring, and her gaze was the like the heavens, so bright blue and clear.”

The poem itself is about a little girl who rescues a bird in the wintertime and nurses it back to health. When spring arrives, the bird wants to leave and fly away, but Lotte keeps the bird caged instead, not realizing it wishes its freedom in order to live. One morning as she comes to feed it, she finds the bird dead at the bottom of the cage, and this becomes her first introduction to sorrow and grief in life.

"The sweet childhood blush faded from her cheeks, and slowly from her heart a dark pain rose. She could not know, what this pain was; but sorrow had written its first rune in her heart. And marked its image deep on her soft features. No longer did it disappear with her last tear.”

In the original story, Christine Daee’s mother passed away when she was six years old. The following years with her father were filled with poverty and wandering. As I read the story itself, to me it seems her father truly never recovers from the death of his wife, and as a result Christine’s life is unstable for quite some time. She sleeps in barns, travels from fair to fair, sings for street audiences, while her father plays the violin and makes a meager living at it. It is only when a Professor and his wife befriend them that Christine begins to have any type of stability. She now has a roof over her head, and they provide for her education.

Her father, however, is still depressed and eventually passes away. From what I can gather backtracking the story, her father’s passing comes much later in her early teens, rather than as a young child portrayed in the movie. Christine, as we all know, grieves over the death of her father for quite some time, and I find the last few verses of the poem revealing – especially the words that death, “marked its image deep on her soft features.” Truly, the death of her father had a profound effect upon her need for someone to fulfill a father figure in her life.

As I think about her reasons for the choices she makes in this story, I believe they were motivated by her childhood in many ways. Christine was seeking security and found that in Raoul. She wanted someone to care and watch over her. Her childhood, riddled in its early years with isolation, had a profound effect on her development. No doubt life with her father wandering from village to village, produced a life of instability and great dependence upon her father, which made it so difficult for her to let go of him in many ways.

The choice the Phantom gave her, a life of isolation in his world, may have played a role in why she ultimately choose a life with Raoul. A life with the Phantom would have been one reminiscent of her childhood. Instead, in essence, Christine yearned for a life of security and provision in the arms of Raoul, who she could trust to care for her. (Of course, this comment may produce screams from certain friends of mine she was a money-grubbing Diva after all! See! See! Private joke there.) Perhaps, as well, she wanted a sense of family the de Chagny's could provide after being orphaned at a young age, which she would otherwise not have with Erik. In the end, how we grow up as children does influence the decisions we make in life and the and motivations behind them.

So what else can you glean from the poem above about the poor bird that was locked up in a cage and died because it wasn’t granted its freedom? I suppose that if you dig hard enough, you might find symbolism in that morsel as well.

Your obedient servant,
The Phantom's Student

Order Lessons From the Phantom of the Opera Here

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.  

This is a wonderful time, "thanks" "giving." Thanks for all of the giving, but most importantly it's a time for giving thanks.  

I look back on the months that have past and see so much to be thankful for, a wonderful life, an amazing wife, the most beautiful and healthy child (who makes me laugh and cry with joy), the blessing to have performed one of the most incredible roles I've ever had the honor to play, a tremendous family and great friends.  So much to be thankful for, so very much.

I've been thinking of my parents these past few days.  The holiday season is a time for family and I miss them both greatly.  But each time I look into the eyes of my daughter I see them and I hope they are looking down to see her.

Ya know, I used to dress up as an American Indian every Thanksgiving (believe it or not I have Native American blood in me on my father's side) in celebration of the traditional "first Thanksgiving" in 1621. 

My mother made me take off the Indian garb and don more modern dress for the actual diner but it was fun while it lasted.  

I hope this Thanksgiving is great for you all.  Thanks to each and everyone of you for your support. You are all in some way extended family.  We are all in this world together and I'm looking forward to greater things to come.

Oh one anecdote...I used to drink coca-cola (only drink water and tea now) but when I did I could never eat the cranberry sauce and then drink a Coke.  They don't go together.  Anyone ever experience that?

See you at Sardi's...and don't eat too much stuffing.  (OK I eat a ton of stuffing and of course, cranberry sauce).

Sardi's

Getting Ready For The Big Day

Turkey Day that is...

I've been pulling 12 hour days over the past couple of weeks preparing for The Holiday Concert. It's almost midnight and I'm just finishing up the days work.  

I picked some of the songs today: definitely 'Oh Holy Night' and 'Believe.'  I'm also going over the songs that you all suggested.  So cast your votes now cause I'm starting in on the program. 

Don't forget to get your tickets soon: Click Me

By the by, there was a little glitch in some of the artwork that went out.  It lists a show on January 1st and that's incorrect. There is no show on 1/1 but there is a show on January 2nd. Sorry about that.  

We might be getting some cool new art work soon with poster and all the works.

I love producing stuff but it's a ton of work...then again...I love work so I'm in heaven.  Good thing for me is that most of the work I did today was on the computer and the phone so I could stay home with the baby.

I can't believe how amazing she is.  The smiles, the cooing, the farts (oh my god).  Dana and I actually get startled sometimes because they sort of come out of nowhere, and they're loud.

We laugh and then the baby laughs at us laughing.  I love it. 

With all of the love and life we had some sad news on Broadway today, Gerald Schoenfeld of the Shubert Organization passed away today.  He was/is an icon in our business.  He represented what Broadway used to be and was instrumental in many of the biggest shows.  He was 84.  His legacy will live on, however and what a legacy it is.  Hats off, lights dimmed.  He will be missed.

Holidays and Family

So the concert is coming along wonderfully and tickets are going fast.

Wow...this is going to be so much fun. 

Here's another posting from Playbill.com

Don't forget to call in early. 

December 23, 26, 27, 30 and January 2,3 at 8:30 pm

December 21, 24, 28 and January 4 at 3:00 pm

Tickets $45, $60 (premium seating close to the stage) and $25.

There is also an additional $25 minimum per person.

212-868-4444 or www.smarttix.com

See you all there.

The Holiday Concert

It's Official.

I'm doing a Holiday Concert beginning December 20th.

I'm a huge Holiday guy, so is my entire family. Every year I do a Holiday concert in Los Angeles and I thought...why not this year...and why not in New York.

And so...The Holiday Concert at Sardi's was born. 

It's going to be a fun event with Holiday Classics and great Broadway tunes.

We run from December 20, 2008 - January 4, 2009.

The actual dates are:

December 20, 23, 26, 27, 30 & January 2, 3 at 8:30 pm
December 21, 24, 28 & January 4 at 3:30 pm

Tickets are $45, $60 (VIP seating) and $25.  There is also a $25 minimum at Sardi's per person.

I suggest that you come and have dinner or lunch then see the show.

I've also decided to take after my in-laws and do something special. My father-in-law is a  Lt. General in the Marine Corps (ret).  Amazing man. 

Each year they invite "displaced" military personnel to their home for the holidays.  Ya know, folks that aren't near their familes during this special time.

Dana and I are so fortunate to live happy, healthy lives and also to have the miracle of this new little life among us that we want to share the love of our family with others. 

So, we're offering up the same to those military folks who might here in New York away from their families. We're inviting them to come in, have a nice meal at Sardi's and enjoy the show on us. It's the least we can do.

And by the way...you never know who might be stopping by to sing a song or two.

You can get tickets by calling 212-868-4444 or visiting www.smarttix.com

Here's a great article the Broadway.com did on the event.

Click the link below to see it.

The Holiday Concert

Natalie's CD

Tonight is Natalie Toro's CD release party.

I'm going to stop by for a bit and see the gang, listen to Nat sing a few songs. It'll be nice to see everyone again.

I know that she's worked hard on this project for a while and it's finally complete.

There's a ton of info about the CD below. So sift through and pick up a copy.

ABOUT THE CD
Entitled NATALIE TORO the new CD is Broadway themed with a twist.

The arrangements are ground-breaking; her vocals are breath-taking; the results are sensational.

Produced by: Natalie Toro
Co-produced by: Dawn Makay
Executive Producers: William Broderick and Tony Fusco
Recorded at: Manhattan Center, NYC
Recording Engineer: Craig White
Assistant Engineers: Sheldon Yellowhair and Maki Suzuki
Mixed by: Edward B. Kessel
Mastered by: Edward B. Kessel
Duplicated at: Media Technologies Limited
Photography by: Leslie Hassler Studios
Cover Design by: H&M Graphics

ABOUT THE CD’s SONG LIST


SOMETHING’S COMING
Music by Leonard Bernstein
Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Arranged by David Loud
Piano: Will Reynolds
Bass: John Lang
Drums: Roger Cohen
Reeds and Sax: Charles Pillow

HERE I AM
Music/Lyrics by David Yazbek
Arranged by Matt Perri
Piano: Matt Perri
Bass: John Lang
Drums: Peter Grant
Guitar: Manny Moreira

I DREAMED A DREAM
Music by Claude-Michel Schonberg
Lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer/Alain Boublil
Arranged by Will Reynolds
Piano: Will Reynolds
Bass: John Lang
Drums: Roger Cohen
Violin: Maxim Moston
Cello: Sarah Seiver
Reed: Charles Pillow

UNUSUAL WAY
Music/Lyrics by Maury Yeston
Arranged by Craig Barna
Piano: Will Reynolds
Bass: John Lang
Percussion: Roger Cohen
Guitar: Ralph Agresta
Reeds and Flute: Charles Pillow
Violin: Maxim Moston
Cello: Sarah Seiver

SOMEONE LIKE YOU
Music by Frank Wildhorn
Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse/Frank Wildhorn
Arranged by Ethan Popp
Piano: Ethan Popp
Bass: john Lang
Drums: Roger Cohen
Guitar: Ralph Agresta
Cello: Sarah Seiver

ANOTHER HUNDRED PEOPLE
Music/Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Arranged and Produced by Chino Nunez
Drums: Roger Cohen
Sax: Ivan Renta
The New Yorkers: Craig White, Carter Calvert, Catherine Porter,
Maki Suzuki, and Sheldon Yellowhair

I REMEMBER
Music/Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Arranged by Matt Perri
Cello: Sarah Seiver
Violin: Maxim Moston
Piano: Matt Perri

WHERE IS IT WRITTEN
Music by Michel Legrand
Lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman
Arranged by Andy Einhorn
Piano: Will Reynolds
Bass: John Lang
Oboe: Charles Pillow
The Angel Boys: Matt Perri and Kevin Osborne

OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND
Music/Lyrics by Jill Santoriello
Arranged and Produced by Ed Kessel

EASY AS LIFE
Music by Elton John
Lyrics by Tim Rice
Arranged by Ethan Popp
Piano: Ethan Popp
Bass: John Lang
Drums: Roger Cohen
Guitar: Ralph Agresta
The Ladies: Carter Calvert, Catherine Porter


IF I COULD
Music/Lyrics by Marti Sharron, Ron Miller, Ken Hirsch
Arranged by Ralph Agresta
Guitar: Ralph Agresta

Bonus track:
GET HAPPY/HAPPY DAYS
(DUET WITH SUTTON FOSTER)
GET HAPPY: Music/Lyrics by Harold Arlen/Ted Koehler
HAPPY DAYS: Music by Milton Ager/Lyrics by Jack Yellen
Arranged by Matt Perri
Piano: Matt Perri
Bass: John Lang
Drums: Peter Grant
Guitar: Manny Moreira
The Cool Singers:
Margaret Dorn, Emily Bindiger, Matt Perri, and Kevin Osborne

Lessons from a Babe

I was having dinner with a friend of mine tonight who I've known for nearly 20 years and we were discussing "the future."

He asked me when it was that I knew my life was changed in regard to the baby being born. My answer was...instantaneously.

I pondered where my daughter would be in 20 years, what would the world be like. There are so many concerns and worries, the economy, politics, the war all sorts of things that take up our time and in some ways force us to look into the future.

But what I've learned from the little being that now shares my life and my house is that she's simply focused on today. My buddy said, "That's because she doesn't know that there's a tomorrow" and I said..."Excatly!"

She lives her life moment to moment, second by second. And even though there is a tomorrow she's not focused on it. It's a true lesson isn't it? I mean obviously we, as adults, have responsibilities and there certainly indeed is a tomorrow, a future.

But so often we forget to live for today and cherish the wonders of life moment by moment, second by second.

So for me each day is a lesson and I'll be reminded of this one every time I look into the eyes of my daughter.

Waiting and Waiting

So I've been waiting and waiting to announce this really cool thing that might happen...

...and I'm still waiting. The anticipation is killing me. It's like seeing all of those Christmas presents under the tree, knowing that the big red one has my name on it but I'm forbidden from opening it until Christmas morning.

Arrrrggghhhh! (as Charlie Brown would say).

I should know by tomorrow though and then I'll be unable to wrap it.

Here's a question...why do the Peanuts never do laundry? They always wear the same clothing...in fact most cartoons always wear the same clothing. Look at Fred Flintstone. He had a car, a stereo and later on even a Martian hanging around...yet he still wore the same old orange and black frock. Hmmmm.

Cold ears warm heart

I don't know why but it's the ears that get me all the time.

I have these wrap around things called "180's" that wrap around the back of your head and cover up your ears. Like ear muffs but from behind.

If I have my ears covered then I'm good...except for the hands...gotta keep the hands warm. And it was biting cold for me today with the pups. Nothing a good warm soy chai latte couldn't fix though.

Cold and Wind

So what happened to the warmth?

I took the dogs out yesterday and realized that winter winds are a blowin'. Geez...even the dogs looked like they were cold and Buddha is a "roll in the snow" kinda guy.

The sky looked gray and the trees had most most of their leaves. There was a peacefulness to to the park though. Kinda quiet. The noise of the city seems to have a muffle on it during the winter time.

There is something about snow in the city too. (Not the after snow, slush and brown dirt colored snow banks left after the plows go through) but the first fall of snow. It creates a blanket over the city and slows everything down a bit.

People actually cross country ski down the streets on Manhattan. It's a cool thing to watch.

Which reminds me...I need new snow boots (the trouble with living in Los Angeles...no winter boots). My first Christmas in LA I played golf on Christmas morning.

That was a weird thing for a New Jersey boy.

Interviews and sing-a-long

The Sunday Salon was amazing. Such a great idea and Valerie Smaldone does a fantastic job. You guys should check out her show.

TheatreMania will be posting a link to the interview (it's video!) and I'll make sure that it goes up here as well. We talked about all sorts of things from theatre, to life, to babies and even diapers.

I'm going to be at the Drama League tomorrow night. Laura Benanti is hosting and I'll be singing!

Sunday Salon

Hey everyone...

I will be Valerie Smaldone's next live guest at the Sunday Salon with Valerie Smaldone at Etcetera Etcetera tomorrow night.
Join me when Valerie Smaldone and I have a conversation in front of an intimate audience.
Doors open at 6 pm.

At Etcetera, Etcetera , 352 West 44th street, between 8th and 9th.

For tickets, go to:
http://www.theatermania.com/content/show.cfm/show/148791

It promises to be a great night!!

Closer and Closer

So we might be getting closer and closer to a really cool project...

Had some meetings on it today and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it all works out. I'll keep you posted.

My old friend Hershey Felder was in town this week. What an amazing talent he is. For those of you who don't know him, he wrote and starred in George Gershwin Alone on Broadway and has taken it and his two other shows around the world over the past few years.

He's about to settle in LA again at the Geffen Playhouse. Go check him out if you're there. Loads of fun and an amazing journey to take.

Oh... finally got to watch the "final" table of the World Series Of Poker. I love it...it's a great game.

Cristo Reading

Great day...

I am constantly amazed at how much talent exists in the world...especially in New York...and especially with the cast of Tale.

Many of them were in the Monte Cristo reading and I have to say...we all learned a ton of material in just 3 days. That's a lot given this score.

The story, well the story is just incredible (good news is that I get to live in this one). I always seem to die or get brutally maimed in all the Broadway shows I do. Jack Murphy has adapted the novel wonderfully and his lyrics are poignant and often funny at the same time.

Frank score..I think it's some of the best work I've heard of his to date. There are the powerhouse signature Wildhorn songs but there are also these amazing pieces that have a musical delicacy and an incredible musical intricacy that takes the score to another level.

Conceptually the director (who also directed Frank's Dracula in Europe) has some amazing ideas. I wish I could see this production. It opens in Switzerland in March.

The way these reading usually work is that a small cast will be gathered to learn the show sitting around in a rehearsal room and then we do one or two presentations standing behind music stands. Generally these readings are not open to the public because it's a "work in progress" and not ready to be seen by the masses.

It would be like building half of a house and then bringing in prospective buyers way before it's complete. Some readings are much more together than others, it varies. That's also the reason there is no recording of the show. There are union guidelines as well that prohibit the recording of the show for much the same reasons.

I did speak with Frank and the goal is to indeed bring Monte Cristo to Broadway. As always its a question of timing. I'll definitely keep you posted as I know more.

Thanks for the Holiday song suggestions!

Crusty Cristo

Craig has shaved...Gregg has not.

I think Gregg is keeping it for this reading as he's playing 'Faria' the prisoner of The Chateau D'If who teaches 'Dantes' everything that he uses in his new life.

Crusty because it was so dry in the rehearsal space today. I must have gone through two gallons of water.

The music is big and beautiful and did I mention big? Well it's big. By big I not only mean there is a ton of it but I mean big as in sweeping and sincerely moving. And of course Frank has me singing in the stratosphere as only he can get me to sing.

I've been tired to say the least...haven't really had any down time since Tale opened (and closed) and that can be taxing. But I'm always inspired with new work, especially work that has a deep meaning to it.

Holiday songs...I do a Holiday concert every year in Los Angeles at the NOHO Arts Centre www.nohoace.com It's been great fun. I sang a bunch of tunes "Believe" and "Oh Holy Night" which was my mother's favorite (and one of mine as well).

I'm a huge sucker for Holiday music and yes, I'll confess I was listening to it on my iPod on my way to rehearsal today. There's nothing like Bing or Nat on a crispy morning.

I know, I know, the "official" Holiday Music start date is after Thanksgiving...but I just can't help myself. It always makes me happy.

Anyone know "Aspen Glow"?

Mon Dieu

Monte Cristo Started today...

First thing I have to say is that neither Gregg Edleman nor Craig Bennet have shaved their beards, thought that would have been one of the first things they did when they got home last night.

And...there is a ton of music. Frank has almost written an operetta of sorts. Amazing body of work for this show. We worked very hard and very diligently on Frank's music. Jack Murphy was on hand to share his thoughts on the lyrics and his book. I think this is going to be quite powerful. And the creative team as a whole is incredibly supportive.

We're just going over music first, haven't yet read through the script with the cast. There's really not a ton of time to get all this work done but as always, this group of pros will step up to the task.

Funny thing, Gregg and I ran into a "Subway" sandwich shop by the rehearsal hall to grab some lunch on our break and we ran into Anthony (a Tale supporter)...so shout out to Anthony and Andrew (another Tale supporter)...who didn't pick up his cell phone by the way. (Anthony called him and I left a message on his voice mail). Always fun to run into the Tale extended family. Thanks guys.

More later...and by the way...any favorite holiday tunes?

A New Day

Well what a day...

Emotions were high to say the least. it was a truly beautiful show with a sold out crowd.

Still amazes me that I'll not be on the stage of the Hirschfeld Tuesday night...dressing room empty, no music to fill the hall, no audience in the seats.

That said, I'm always looking forward and not back. Faith Prince told me once..."just keep walking." I keep her words with me often. There is always another door to open and eventually you'll come out of the tunnel and into the light of another day.

I wanted to address some questions about the CD. I do think the producers are working on it but it's incredibly expensive to record...we're talking in the 100's of thousands of dollars. There are unions to deal with and although we all want the Broadway cast saved on digital media forever, it's simply a money factor. But rest assured that the Tale team is working on it.

I'll talk more about our last day later...been a long one today and I've got rehearsal in the morning for Monte Cristo.

I am grateful.

Last Show

Today will be a difficult day...

There is no way around that. Many of us have worked long and hard to get Tale to Broadway and to have it close so soon is disheartening to say the least.

I began working on the show in 2004. Knowing that the message of love and hope was so important to us in our world today, it quickly became the driving factor in my professional life to see this show come to life.

In spite of all this we did it. We did what thousands of people only try to do...we got a show to Broadway and we got a good show...no...a great show to Broadway.

We are all extremely proud of the work we are doing on that stage and there is no question of our devotion to the piece. Our audiences have been nothing short of stellar and to me that is the true test of our show. So thank you all for your support and commitment to Tale.

There is much more ahead and much more to discuss, much more to see and much more hear.

Keep your eyes peeled for some fun and interesting news in the next couple of days.

And remember that Tale teaches us to look beyond the immediate, to look beyond self and to know that there is a larger purpose for life. No matter what you believe in terms of "spirituality" or even if you don't believe in "spirituality" at all...I truly believe that life is bigger than the individual and as a collective we can reach much greater heights.

Trap Doors

“I am a trap-door lover,

and I open and shut what I please and as I please.”
(Opera Ghost – Leroux)

So what was Erik’s fixation about trap doors all about? It’s an odd hobby, building trap doors everywhere to trip and trap unsuspecting individuals so they fall into holes and are swallowed up into darkness.

Trap doors are used by magicians and illusionists on a regular basis as tools of their trade, as well as stage productions. Leroux's version deals heavily with trap doors throughout the work, more so than the stage play or movie. In the movie, there are incidents of trap doors. We see the Phantom utilize a trap door in the masquerade scene. He makes his dramatic exit, and Raoul drops down to the trap door hole to follow. He uses a trap door on the stage to abduct Christine, and Raoul nearly perishes falling through a trap door.

Trap doors were the entrance to Erik’s underworld, his kingdom and domain. The doors had duel purposes. The first was to trap and harm those who would dare to enter his world; and the second, a tool for his own use to come and go unseen. His involvement in the architecture and building of the Opera House afforded him the opportunity to incorporate numerous hidden doors that only he knew existed or how to work.

Once again, as the Phantom equates himself as an “angel of hell,” you can see the familiar analogy drawn. The Bible describes Satan as a master of deceit and disguise, setting traps to ensnare unsuspecting humanity. The Phantom uses trap doors as tools to bring unsuspecting individuals into torture chambers. One is described entirely of mirrors (such as the one portrayed in the movie) designed to create madness in the minds of its victims trapped within its walls. How interesting that he uses mirrors to torture others, for no doubt each time he gazes into one himself, his own soul is tortured, which in turn feeds the madness in his darkened mind.

When I speak of the Phantom, I know many of you conjure images of handsome Gerard Butler, but in Leroux our Phantom is described a little more on the dark side. The Persian calls him a “monster” and describes what horrors he is capable of inflicting upon others. If you have not read the original work, I encourage you to do so. Fans tend to romanticize the Phantom of the Opera greatly, and I too am guilty as charged. However, the story does portray a darker side of the Phantom and the evils he is capable of inflicting upon others. He tortures. He murders.

How do I deal with such stark reality regarding the darker side of our dear Erik? I find relief in sequels to the Phantom of the Opera, many of which bring him to a point of redemption. The stories tend to lead him out of darkness and into the light of the world where he finally finds love and acceptance. It's just another human quality we can apply to our favorite story – our desire to find redemption from the darkness in our lives.

As always,
The Phantom's Student

Video Of Tale

So we got word that we're recording the show for the Lincoln Centre Archives Saturday night.

This is a good thing for the show and it will allow a record of this wonderful piece to be saved for all time. In truth I think the message that Tale carries can never be extinguished but it's nice to be able to have a visual reference.

By the by...Lucinda Dickens was at the show tonight. She's Charles Dickens great, great granddaughter. It was wonderful to meet her. Living history right in front of you. Can you imagine what she must have in her house? All those great original works. My gosh...how exciting!

Thanks to all of you who have written in by the way. You are so gracious and supportive. I can speak for our entire company when I say thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Now come to the theatre in the next couple of days and let's have a great send off!

Maya Angelou

I heard Maya Angelou say something a few months ago and it has stayed with me.

She said...

"Bitterness is like a cancer, it feeds upon the host but does nothing to the object of it's displeasure."

I mention this today not because anyone is "bitter" at Tale's closing but because I feel it's important to remember that although we can feel sadness, melancholy and even slight anger at certain situations in life we need to focus on the good things. Life is indeed change and without it we have no growth.

When I'm on stage at night looking out at the audience standing on their feet at the end of the show, I know that we've done something good. I know that we have moved folks in a positive way. I know that we have taken people on a journey that they will hopefully remember for a long time to come.

I made a promise to myself a long time ago that my work, whatever it is, be a catalyst for positive change in the world. If I can affect one person in a positive way then I've done something good.

Tale's message of love and hope is one that is universal in our world. It is one that I take each night as I don the character of Carton and is a journey that I am truly grateful to have trekked.

But most importantly grateful to have shared it with all of you.

Here's to a few more performances and a few more moments to cherish.

The Scoop

First of all, thank you all so very much for supporting Tale. It's been a long and wonderful journey and we did accomplish some amazing things.

So here's the scoop as I know it. In previews Tale saw a steady increase in ticket sales building up to our opening night. This was obviously due to the word of mouth from all those who came to see Tale and loved it. With those numbers everyone thought that we were going to do very well.

After opening night we got hit very hard by the reviews of the show and we saw an immediate drop in sales. Although this was disappointing it's not something that could not be handled. In fact we had plans in place should something like this happen. Many successful shows opened to reviews such as these and have battled through to survive and flourish.

The bottom line was that we had a show that the audience loved and that with a bit of time we knew we could build back to those pre-opening ticket sales and go beyond.

However...the economy then took it's downturn. We found ourselves in the midst of a real crisis and no matter how we cut it, it was difficult to generate ticket sales when people were simply hesitant to spend money.

We saw many shows that were running on Broadway begin to post closing notice. All of which were planing an early January closing date.

Our main issue: there is a thing called a "stop clause." A stop clause is a built in contractual item between the theatre owners and the producers of any show that says if tickets sales drop below a certain point for a given number of consecutive weeks, the theatre owners have the right to "Stop" the show. This is what basically happened with Tale.

There was another show that was looking at a theatre and they wanted to open in the Spring. Given our current situation (even though we were prepared to push through the holidays and then on into the spring) our stop clause was initiated and we were given a end date. This happens all the time and is not something uncommon.

The theatre owners need to make sure that they (in these hard economical times) can create income just like everyone else. It's simply business. I'm sincerely happy that they gave us a shot in the first place.

We could have run through to January but after much deliberation we chose to end our beautiful show in two weeks.

Now...the good news is that the money it would have taken to run the show into January can now be put toward our future touring production. This is still a very strong possibility and there are many people interested in the show...worldwide.

It's truly the nature of live theatre to end. It's rare that a show runs for what seems like forever and it's not like you can put in a DVD and replay the show. It's a live experience and without audiences theatre is not theatre.

As I said this has been a long journey for the Tale team and they have accomplished what many, many people cold not. They got a show on Broadway with an amazing cast and have been able to spread the beautiful message of love and hope to all those who came to share in the experience. That's the important thing to take away from this.

We began our fundraising for Broadway Cares this past week and as I address the audience from the stage I begin by telling them that Tale is closing. We are met with a shocking "Oh No!" from the audience. After being moved as they were with our story, they too are in amazement.

But I think I can speak for the entire cast when I say thank you all for supporting the show. We will all move on to other projects but will hold a very, very special place in our hearts for this one. The family that has been created through this process is incredibly tight and extends to many of you out there who love our show. You ARE a part of our group and without you we never would have made it this far.

We've got a few shows left and we intend to make those just as powerful as the ones that have come before. Please come back and join us in celebrating this amazing accomplishment.

I'm having so much fun with the blog that I'm gonna keep going with it. After all life goes on...and I've got some great new projects to talk about.

The Situation

I know many of you have questions about the closing of Tale and I'm going to write a longer blog on that this evening.

I just wanted to let you all know that the Tale company is doing great and we are all greatful for the support everyone has shown us.

Stay tuned... and you'll get the scoop!

A Tale of Two Cities and Broadway Cares

Now anyone can donate to the Broadway Cares program and give A Tale of Two Cities the credit.

Visit the Team Raiser page.

Please also spread the word.

James Barbour Cartoon

By popular request, here is a copy of the cartoon of James Barbour as Sydney Carton by Tim Hartman. We are working on a way to order this on-line, will update when it is done:

Saturday Soiree

Great two shows today. The theatre was pretty packed again, which is a good thing on Broadway during these weeks. General attendance is down for most shows in NY but we had some full houses so far this weekend.

The fundraising efforts for Broadway Cares continues and we are doing well on that front too.

Tim Hartman, who is in the cast, is also a tremendous cartoonist and has created a sketch of the principle characters in Tale. We're selling that drawing as part of our fundraising effort. Thanks Tim!

Tim is an incredibly talented man with a huge repertoire. Take a peek: http://www.timhartman.com/