The side of the Pantages, again! :-)

When I found out how long it had been since Alison had seen the show, I decided we needed to do something about it. :-) So we went! Now, the cast was supposed to be Peter Karrie, Elizabeth de Grazia and Kip Wilborn. However, that didn't quite work out. :-) Peter ended up being on vacation, so Kip was playing the Phantom, and Brian Duÿn was Raoul. Plus, it being a Saturday matinee, we had the Christine alternate...Glenda Balkan! This was the third time I'd seen her, and I knew it was her right away, even though there was no insert in the playbill to say she'd be doing the role. :-)

My main concern with all the understudies was Kip as the Phantom...I had seen him as Raoul before (see Sixth Experience), and hadn't really cared much for his Raoul, so the thought of him as Erik scared me more than a little. However, he totally proved me wrong!! I loved most of his performance. Music of the Night was just lovely, and he did this beautiful harmony during the graveyard scene that I've never heard anyone do before. The final scene was fabulous as well...his Erik had a very child-like quality that made him utterly endearing.

I had seen Glenda as Christine twice before (Third and Fourth Experiences), and I liked her just as much this time. She's a really great Christine. The only one I really didn't care for was Brian as Raoul...he seemed very uncomfortable in the role, often looking as if he didn't know what he should be doing, and even looking down once to check his mark! I'm sure he would improve with more opportunity to play the role on stage.

This wasn't at Phantom, but it was on the same weekend! :-) Alison, myself, Karen and Gill at the stage door of the Royal Alex after Rent

We did go to the stage door afterwards, but since it was a matinee, we only got to speak to Kim. She was lovely, as usual! I did want to talk to Kip to tell him how much I enjoyed his interpretation, but it will have to wait! :-)