Do you have a fascination or unhealthy obsession with the many men who have graced the Great White Way in a half-mask and elaborate makeup while riding in a boat under the Paris Opera House? Do you prefer the sounds of a real Broadway Phantom to the sketchy, scratchy vocals of Gerard Butler in the recent "Phantom" film? If so, Theater Scene has found the CD for you.
"Broadway's Fabulous Phantoms," a unique idea for an original studio show tune album, features the vocals of eleven different actors who have played the Phantom of the Opera on Broadway: Howard McGillin, Gary Mauer, Hugh Panaro, Brad Little, Davis Gaines, Steve Barton, Ted Keegan, Mark Jacoby, Kevin Gray, Michael Crawford, and David Gaschen. However, none of the songs featured in the album are actually from "Phantom of the Opera." They range from Cole Porter ("I've Got You Under My Skin") and Jerome Kern ("Ol' Man River") to Frank Wildhorn ("This is the Moment").
Perhaps it was Hugh Panaro, the current Phantom of the Opera on Broadway, who had the most unusual selection: "You're Already There," a song by David Friedman. Fascinated by his performance on the CD as well as on Broadway, Theater Scene recently spoke with Panaro about what it's like to be a Phantom.
Hugh Panaro
Theater Scene: What's life like to wear the Phantom mask on Broadway?
Panaro: I won't lie – pretty good. I can't imagine that this isn't every guy's corny dream role. It's the most fulfilling role that I've ever had, probably right ahead of Jesus in "Jesus Christ Superstar," another Andrew Lloyd Webber role. It's the most complex role. I've been in "Phantom" for two years and I'm still working on the role. I'm always suspect to anyone who thinks they have the role down. It's always a work in progress, at least for me.
Theater Scene: I once acted in another "Phantom" musical written by Maury Yeston.
Panaro: There's also another one by Ken Hill which is a more tongue-in-cheek, comedic version. I've never heard the music. And Maury Yeston is an amazing composer. I love so much of his music.
Panaro as Phantom
Theater Scene: So, how did you get started in "Phantom?"
Panaro: For me, it started way back in 1990. I was doing "Les Miserables" and I got a call to audition for Raul in the Broadway company. The man playing the Phantom, Kevin Gray, was on the younger side, so they needed a younger Raul. So I auditioned for the Broadway company when I was 25 or so and they cast me. Hal Prince liked me, thank goodness. Then I left to do a horrible show called "The Red Shoes" which flopped. Years later Prince cast me as Gaylord Ravenol in "Showboat," which I did in Toronto, Broadway, and London. Upon my return, man who was playing the Phantom's voice was shot. He asked for a leave of absence, and then they asked if I'd be interested in playing the Phantom for nine months.
Theater Scene: What did you say?
Panaro: I said of course! It wasn't too excruciating. I had just worked for Hal in London and I was just there for six to nine months. Then I got cast in the title role in "Martin Guerre." Then three and a half years later, the role became available because Howard McGillin left to do " Bounce." Luckily, I was able to step back into the role I had only done for six months.
Theater Scene: How does playing the Phantom now compare to back then?
Panaro: I think I'm much better now than I was in 1999. Things happen for a reason. So It's been kind of a long road.
Theater Scene: How did you decide what song you'd perform on the "Fabulous Phantoms" album?
Panaro: They asked if I had anything special that I'd like to do on the CD. I had another number I had done at a big benefit in California, but there were some copyright issues so we couldn't do it. So at the last minute, I said that there's this beautiful song by David Friedman that I love.
Theater Scene: What show is it from?
Panaro: It's not a Broadway song. It's just a beautiful song that I love. And they said it's different than everybody else's, but you can do it. David played the piano for it. It's one of my favorite things that I've ever done. It's a small moment. I like it.
Theater Scene: How long have you been a fan of David Friedman?
Panaro: Well, this is funny because I have been a fan of David Friedman for – I don't know how many years. My friend who is no longer with us, Laurie Beechman, sang a lot of David's music on her CDs. So I met David and he asked if I'd like to do his show "Listen to My Heart." And when it rains, it pours! I had to make a decision between doing David' s show and "Phantom of the Opera." And I won't lie – I went for the money. And I also knew that "Phantom" was probably a longer commitment and I could get my teeth into it a bit more. I told David and he understood. He wished I could have done his show, and he was gracious. He' s amazing.
Hugh Panaro and Julie Hanson
-Is that you, Angel of Music?
Theater Scene: Do you have any other favorite tracks on the CD?
Panaro: It's so funny because I don't know if I've heard the entire CD yet. I'm partial because I know some of the guys on it, so I play their songs, like Mark Jacoby. When I was Raul, Mark was a Phantom. I have really great memories of performing with Mark and Kevin Gray. And I did play Michael Crawford's track to hear what he sounded like.
Theater Scene: What do you think of the title "Fabulous Phantoms?" Is "fabulous" the right word?
Panaro: I think….well, you're a writer. You get the alliteration. A lot of the show's fans do stuff like that on their websites. I don't think it's too serious in taking itself too seriously. I hope it doesn't sound like we're a bunch of egotistical Phantoms.
Theater Scene: On another subject, how long does it take to put on the Phantom makeup?
Panaro: It takes a full hour. If we rush, we can do it in 45 minutes. You want the glue to have enough time to set in. Between the bald cap and the prosthetic pieces, a microphone gets glued onto my face. I get two wigs and the white fiber glass and leather mask. So it's a full hour in the chair.
Theater Scene: How much longer do you want to do the show on Broadway?
Panaro: I want to do it as long as I still enjoy it. I'm still working on it. I never want to become one of these guys who's bored or over it. I think that's deadly to your art. It's not fair to an audience. Our audiences are amazing. Every night is a different audience. Tickets are like $100, and I'm going to go out there and give 100 percent. We had two shows yesterday. It's very hard on Wednesday night. You have to find it within yourself to give that audience the same show that you gave the Wednesday matinee. I don't even know if I have a time frame in my head. I just know that I'm not bored and I really love my job.
Visit www.BroadwayPhantoms.com for more information about "The Fabulous Phantoms"
The Phantom of the Opera
Majestic Theatre
245 West 45th Street
212-239-6200
$55-100