Phantom of the Opera discussion

So, I was wondering what everyone's favorite version of the Phantom of the Opera is?

It can be anything. A certain theater that performed it, the movie, the book, the musical, a medley, an orchestra version...

I think my favorites are the onstage version, as well as Lindsey Stirling's Phantom of the Opera Medley on Violin.

Here it is on youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCL94...

So beautiful.

I love her Version, a few if my friends recently saw her on concert, but no phantom stuff, sadly :(

anyway, my favorite versions are definitely Leroux's book and the 1925 silent film version, with Lon Chaney as the Phantom. I recommend it to everyone, it's a fantastic interpretation that is very close to the book.

That's so sad! I have it on itunes. I get so excited every time my iphone is on shuffle and it plays!

I actually haven't seen the silent film, but I'll have to check it out

I've only seen the broadway stage musical...I am currently "obsessed"...I guess you could call it...and I love it. I want to see it again soooo badly!!!!!

Yes, the broadway stage musical is so amazing..... You should watch the movie too. Just as a comparison :)

Oh yes. I'm currently borrowing the movie from my friend, and I'm halfway through it. I want to continue watching it, but I've been very busy...sadly. Hopefully I will see the stage show again this summer...

Yeah, Emma, I want to see what you think about the movie when you finish it :)

It's so far, so good, but well see...

My friends mom asked me if I like the Phantom of the Opera the other day because its one of her favorites, and my other friends laughed and said "she loved it..." They know my love so much...

The version at the Royal Albert Hall. The cast was PERFECT, and I mean that in every sense of the word :)

Yes, Royal Albert Hall was wonderful :) the Phantom's voice made me want to melt

Ramin karimloo!!!!!!

I loved the book, although I think some parts had a bit too much detail.

The musical was to die for. PERFECT!!!!!

Ooo so I read "Phantom" recently by Susan Kay, and it is a must read for Phantom lovers. For reals. It is basically the Phantom's life, from his birth to his death, and it is soooo good and so incredibly sad. Might be my new version of the Phantom of the Opera

Ooh. I would love to read that!

It's really good! It's going to break your heart from the very beginning, on though... Just a warning :_(

I read Kay's Phantom too! It was interesting..

The version at the Royal Albert was awesome, mainly cause of Ramin, Hadley and Sierra who I love! Their voices were incredible and wow they really brought those characters to life. And Emma, I agree with you. The book was great, but some parts were too detailed.

I want to read Kay's novel though...

I love RAH. But even though I love the musical, I'd have to say my favorite versions would be Leroux's original novel and the 1925 silent film version. I just love the original story. That being said, just about any version is better than Kay's version in my honest opinion (a very unpopular opinion) :)

Hi! I'm new to Goodread and this group, but I'm a huge Phan, so I'm happy I found you guys!

The silent movie is definitely one of my favorites, especially because they manage to include the Persian (even though they just call him Ledoux). I also love the 1943 version with Claude Rains, because although it has nothing to do with the original story, it completely captures the feminism of the novel and takes it further since Christine chooses her career over her suitors. I completely recommend the miniseries with Charles Dance in 1990; a lot of the acting is kind of campy, but Charles Dance and Terri Polo are my favorite Erik and Christine. They are so sweet together, and Terri Polo really embodies the goodness and purity that is supposed to inspire Erik to believe he can be redeemed.

Hi! Welcome Lauren! I haven't seen the silent movie but I will try see it in the future. And I'll look up Charles and Terri. It's great to find another Phan!

I haven't watched any of those versions but I probably will someday.

Thanks! Not to blather, but I also recommend the Robert Englund (Freddy Kruger) version from 1989, because they make use of the Faust references, and there's some adorable fashion (although the actress who plays Christine is pretty bad). The movie A Monster in Paris is AMAZING, but it actually draws from all Parisian monster stories, so it's not strictly POTO.

My last adaptation remark-- Have any of you read "Girls Next Door" on DeviantArt? It's a fancomic where Christine Daae and Sarah Williams from Labyrinth are roommates, and Erik and Jareth obviously move in below them. You should totally look into it: http://pika-la-cynique.deviantart.com...

PS: Did you notice that the picture of Christine's father in the ALW film was Ramin Karimloo?

YESSSSS. I DID.

Yes I noticed Ramin!

I freaked out when I realized it was him :D

Yeah, I've noticed. I like Ramin :)

Ramin is really talented. He has an amazing voice and stage presence.

I know! He even has a band he shares with Hadley Fraser (called Skeytoons). Check it out, their songs are amazing!
I love Ramin :)

Nikita wrote: "The version at the Royal Albert Hall. The cast was PERFECT, and I mean that in every sense of the word :)"
I totally agree with you! Ramin had the best voice in the world. He is my favorite Phantom yet.

For reals. His voice made me want to melt :)

If I could bottle up Ramin's voice and keep it, I would. His voice is heart melting.

Emma wrote: "If I could bottle up Ramin's voice and keep it, I would. His voice is heart melting."

Yep......