Did 3 rounds of Phantom in STL this weekend because I have no chill and managed to find a last minute stubhub deal right before closing night. Final random thoughts before I let the US tour clear my system and return to reality:
I saw one Isaiah/JLG pairing and two Isaiah/Alexa pairings. I love (perhaps prefer?) the way Isaiah and Alexa blend vocally, but he and Jordan have obviously found something special in terms of chemistry and character choices through their more frequent performances together.
BNM marksman sighting tonight. I'll take my Bronson however I can get him lol.
Isaiah (as i've already raved) is truly doing something entirely him with this role and it resonates so deeply. But his work in the Pegasus and in his post-kiss choices are where he really shines. Vocally and acting-wise, "I Gave You My Music" is such a masterclass. Period.
Jordan's PONR = also masterclass. Period. I truly haven't seen someone telegraph Christine's thought process during the "reveal" moment the way she does.
Midori = queen. I have a whole new headcanon where Carlotta and Christine are actually friends/comrades in the end after Office Scene 2 because her Carlotta sees the pressure Christine is under and wants to console her.
Carrington Vilmont as Andre is a delight and his performance is so full-bodied, down to him sticking a leg out to keep Carlotta from leaving and then lowering her umbrella/weapon lol.
Jeremy Harr's Don Attilio is hands down my favorite supporting role. His theatrics are hilarious and he finally got the applause he deserves tonight after holding his low note.
I'm not a Raoul girlie [Masquerade is still doing some work on me, but I really be acting like replica Raoul doesn't exist unless he's Jordan Donica] but Daniel Lopez has thrown caution to the wind and said "fuck it, ima be a complete cheeseball during AIAOY"...but by the end you see him staring down the barrel of "I'm covered in seepage, almost hypothermic, and nearly asphyxiated and now I have to actively hold back the LOML from going to the man who kidnapped her and tried to hang me" and so the arc from cheeseball to badly-aging man bidding for all the items associated with his trauma makes sense. Also, I will forever love him for bearing with grace the burden of this tour's (beautiful) commitment to a soaking wet and half-shirtless Raoul.
Love Lisa Vroman down but could not hear her at all during any of the office scenes and that's my one bone to pick.
Isaiah is getting very HAND. I'm warning you now. Y'all better watch out. He is really starting to get it, and we may not be prepared for the consequences...the hands are doing things. They are doing. things.
Can't imagine what this cast is going to do to me after they return from war (the west coast) in 2027.
