WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has a whole new look – and is beginning to use its “nickname” publicly. Always known to fans and cognoscenti as simply “Phantom,” the producers and the artists involved with the show have decided that the mask needed a facelift – so, in honor of the 20TH Anniversary of “Phantom” on Broadway – the show is using its nickname more and has a new look.
The rose is still there. The mask is still there. But now, rather than the mask hovering alone, or propped as if on a table next to the rose – the mask now has a face behind it, hovering in the mist. The rose is beautifully reflected in the surface upon which it lays. This is a more sophisticated look, matching the show itself – but then the title has been given a more casual feel – delving to the core of the show, to the Phantom himself…
We were concerned that this new look would be confusing – after 20 years of the blue “shattered” logo with rose and mask, this is a big change – but this really IS the National Broadway Tour of PHANTOM. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA directed by Harold Prince. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA that has held audiences enthralled all these years – but a “Phantom” that is attracting a whole new generation – with exactly the same level of thrills and romance. The show has not changed, just the look! (And, a quick note – you should know that if you DO see the “old” logo around town, on posters, etc. – it is still for this engagement of the “real Phantom” – sometimes these kind of graphic transitions take time…).
May 8th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
What in the world are these people thinking? You can’t rename The Phantom of the Opera! Despicable. Simply despicable. Being part of ‘a whole new generation’ I take it offensively that they have to shorten the title to make it appeal to us. Are we really that lazy that we can’t take the time to say “The Phantom of the Opera”? What is wrong with people! If the word opera scares someone away, then they don’t deserve to behold such beauty.
May 8th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
*sigh* I think it’s terribly sad that it’s being changed for ‘the younger generation.’ There’s nothing wrong with the good old classic Phantom of the Opera symbol that my Mother and her Mother recognize and love. Why does everyone feel the need now-a-days to conform for the young people?? I happen to be part of this younger generation (I’m 17) and it really saddens me to see these uneccesary changes brought on to supposedly draw us in. I garuntee that all my friends will agree that the old classic Phantom of the Opera shouldn’t be tampered with.
With all due respect to Andrew Lloyd Webber, I think he’s losing it. First the Phantom of Manhatten rumors, and now this! *deep sigh* I for one wish it would be left alone. Why, ‘Phantom’ means merely that. It could be the Phantom of the Button Factory, and the sign wouldn’t make the distinction anymore. It really should say Phantom of the Opera in all it’s glass-shattering glory!
May 9th, 2008 at 9:27 am
Wow - this blog not only generated lots of comments, but I see it is getting forwarded a quite a bit. I love it! the thing is, the SHOW ITSELF — THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is the same show - despite the “powers that be” changing the title in ads and the classic logo for its 20th anniversary. You will see the classic shattered glass, the rose and the mask artwork around town - on our website, on the Broadway show’s official website and on “window cards” (posters) all over San Diego. Meanwhile, the very same show will have the NEW ads in the paper - so please, don’t despair - this is the “real” PHANTOM, direct from Broadway. I think you will enjoy.
May 12th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
We understand that the show itself hasn’t been changed. We’re still very irked about the name/title/advertisement switch up. It just reminds me of the whole text speech creeping into schools now-a-days. I mean, we all use “Phantom” as the title from time to time, but that’s mostly when typing an e-mail or having a quick conversation with a close friend who already knows what we’re talking about. It kind of scares me into thinking… They’re not going to change Les Miserables to “Lay Miz” because that’s how the young folk say it in casual conversations, are they??? Or how about The Scarlet Pimpernel to just plain, “Pimpy?!” Ew. If The Phantom of the Opera is allowed to be tampered with, I fear NOTHING on Broadway will be safe anymore.
May 18th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Sorry to leave so many comments, but I do feel strongly about this, and I just thought of another point… the iconic Phantom of the Opera shouldn’t have a face. It COMPLETELY takes away from “the man and mystery.” Now it’s a decapitated Ken with some mist, and not a mysterious, empty mask. The lack of a human head in the original looks so much more poignant and striking.
May 18th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
I totally agree. Takes away the sense of mystery… How do others feel?
May 29th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
I found the name change confusing enough that I didn’t jump to buy tickets when I saw “Phantom” advertised. Only now (end of May) have I realized that it’s the real “Phantom of the Opera”.
Some may remember that a condensed version of the show played in Las Vegas a few years ago and was dubbed “Phantom”. I seem to recall that this version also played in Escondido and was met with many complaints after-the-fact due to ticket buyer confusion.
When I saw the ads for San Diego that said “Phantom”, I assumed it was for the shortened Vegas version, not the ‘real’ one. Now on to try to find some decent seats…
Booo “Phantom”.
July 14th, 2008 at 7:39 am
Calling it just “Phantom” will confuse some people. Some will think it’s the Yeston and Kopit version. Also, the logo itself looks like something from the Sims computer game. There was nothing wrong with the original logo, it’s a classic. That old saying comes to mind, “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it!”. Take a hint Lord Andy!
~Christine~