Question about seats for Phantom in Vegas
 

This question is for anyone who has seen Phantom of the Opera at The Venetian --

Are seats in the Golden Circle, Row B, too close for this show?

I was there in June and had seats in the Golden Circle. Very pricy and I was very disappointed. Much too close. We had to turn around to try to see the chandelier effects and it would have been much better viewed from further back. Skip the front seats. Get back where you can take it all in.

I always prefer seats close to the action; I disagree with persians 2.

It is always better to sit as far away from the action as possible whether in the theater or at a sports event.

At Phantom, for instance, don't get seats that will give you a good view of what's happening on stage, because a falling chandelier is what the show is all about.

At football games, select seats in the last row at an end zone.

This principle can be used in other areas of life, such as when flying select seats in the last row, next to the toilets.

We sat in the Golden Circle and thought our seats were just perfect. I would not have changed a thing.

I haven't seen it in Vegas, but I have found that the best seats are usually in the first messanine. It gives you a full view of the stage but you're far enough away to keep the illusion (actors do drool when they perform).

Having said that, being close does have it's attraction. You get much more of a sense of being a part of the story rather than just a spectator.

Yes, just there and row B is too close. We were in G center which was perfect for us, but we did have to turn to see the chandelier rise and fall, if that matters to you. Have fun!

While I normally like being as close as possible and like seeing actors' faces, I will say that I saw two productions of Phantom before realizing that half the cast of the song Masquerade were actually statues. There's something to be said for getting a little distance on a big production like this rather than losing the "theatricality".

But all I know about the Las Vegas production is that much of the original has been cut to make it a much shorter version.

Have you ever noticed in movies that include a scene about the rehearsal of a stage production, the director sits in the orchestra about 8-to-10 rows back and smack dab in the middle?

Why? That's the best seat in the house, and that's where I want to sit: Row J in the middle.

However, when I can't get that seat (and I rarely can) I go for a seat as near to it as possible even if it is in row B and on the side.

having now seen Phantom in Vegas I can answer my own question.... we sat in row P which was supposed to have optimal view of the chandelier scene. Well, optimal is apparently a matter of opinion. We still had to look straight up and all around, though not backwards. In hindsight, I would have preferred to sit closer so I could see the performers faces better. The chandelier scene is so short, and unless you're sitting in the balcony you're going to have to either look up or back or around anyway...

oh and also,-- while I didn't think the Vegas version was that much shorter than the movie version (when it comes to the songs performed), the thing that bothered me about the Vegas version is that all the songs were sung at a slightly faster tempo than the movie version. Anyone else notice that? I didn't like the faster tempo.

Well hunter, since you asked. I have seen Phantom many times before seeing it last week in Vegas.

What I loved: Technicaly superior to bway and road shows. Artistically mor impressive as far as scenery and drapery. Loved the flyfloor stagehands pulling the goods up and down. Loved that action.

What I Hated: Madame Gerrie was horrible. I have seen at least 6 different woman in this role, and she should not have been casted. The whole show was rushed. Haven seen the show very intimately many many times, I kept saying slow down!!! One thing to cut a show,another to speed it up to fit too much in. The tempo was distracting.

Final thoughts: Technicly it was superior. The fact that it takes 39 winches to make the chandelier work is staggering. The side boxes off the orchestra are an impressive reveal.

However, like everything in Vegas, something was lacking. No matter how glossy Hal Prince made it, it was a replica of Phantom, just as the grand resorts are replicas. It lacked that spirit of a broadway show. It felt like a cheap copy with some amazing scenery.

That said I didn't like the first few scenes with the Phantom, but he came thru for the finale, which is really what Phantom is all about.
All in all, I would recomend this, and don't get me started on how much I HATED the movie!

oh gee, I loved the movie!!

Now, I haven't seen Phantom anywhere but the movie and Vegas, so I really can't compare. I'll have to see it in NY sometime.

My favorite scene in the movie was when the entire opera house is engulfed in flames and several characters are running though as the roof is falling in, etc. The ballet mistress is heading off to look for Christine below the theatre and her daughter says something like "should I come with you?" The mother actually replies, "no you stay here." What a wonderful way to get rid of a daughter you don't want -- stay here in the building that is burning and falling down on top of you! Bet they don't do that in the Vegas production!

I liked the movie, but it doesn't hold up to a good stage production (but then how many movies do?). I do like Gerard Butler quite a lot though. :)

HappyTrails - I find I have a hard time seeing 8-10 rows back because I always get some irritating person who has to constantly move around sitting in front of me. I definitely think it's the best seat at rehearsal when no one else is around.

When I sat in the 2nd row in SF, I was situated directly in front of the mirror, directly under the path of the chandelier, and directly below the roof angel. There was something truly magical about that.

I like Gerard Butler as The Phantom quite a lot, too :)

I've seen Phantom 12 times (London, Los Angeles, Phoenix all several times). I am seeing it in Las Vegas this week (Thurs.) so I will certainly be able to add to this thread :-) We are in "Golden Circle" Row E, Center.

I might add that I thought the movie version was quite horrible, I would never want to see it again.

My favorite Phantom was Michael Crawford, we saw him in London and several times in LA. The "other" Phantoms were all good, but Michael was tops.

Lori, I am so looking forward to your review!!! Have a wonderful trip!!!

well, gee, I must just be a bassackwards idiot to have liked the movie so much.


sure wish i wuz as sophisticated as you guys so I knew what a bad movie wuz when i seen it

Hunterblu - it's OK. I enjoyed the movie a lot too, but then I knew it was going to be the different than the stage show and I was prepared for it. I also have the soundtrack and I quite enjoy it.

Hunterblu, I see exactly one person who mentioned hating the movie. Who are the "you guys" you are referring to?

Why does having a different opinion from someone else make you feel like a backwoods idiot? Do you feel every one has to have the same opinion you do?

My apology, I see two who hated it, but quite a few who liked it.

good lord neopatrick, it was a joke.... you are a sensitive little thing aren't you?

Why duz you call me yur gud Lord? Cain't you recugneyes a joke eithur?

I much preferred the stage production to the movie, but my sweetie liked the movie so that was good enough for me.

Ok, here is my review :-)

I saw Phantom in Vegas a few days ago. We were in Section E (5th row from Stage) Center. Having seen many productions of Phantom over the years I must say that the 'Vegas one was at least equal to or better then the others.

Yes, it was shortened somewhat, but for the life of me I could not readily tell what was cut out (neither could my friends who were with me). Whatever was cut was not important to the overall show.

The cast was excellent, the music devine. The theater is gorgeous and the chandelier effects wonderful. We did have to turn our heads to see the chandelier do it's thing but that was no problem. We did notice that some of the "people" on the staircase in the Masquerade number were actually mannikins (where as real people were in other productions) but that did not take anything away from the show.

All in all we thought it was a great show and one I'd recommend. I do not think there are any truly bad seats in the theater either.

We also saw "Love" ... it did not appeal to us at all. Personally I am not a Cirque de Soliel fan but I do like Beatles music. This show was too "in your face", too much everything going on at once, just too much "overload" for my taste. I have heard from employees at the Mirage that people either hate it or love it, hardly much inbetween.

Forgot to say, regarding Love .. we had seats in 4th Row from Stage. I think the show would be better from the second section, higher up is better in this case.

Lori, I wonder did you notice that the tempo was a bit too fast or had they slowed it down?

From what I understand, there are 2 people playing the Christine role and 2 people playing the Phantom role. I'd really like to see Phantom again in Vegas on a night when the Christine and Phantom roles are played by the two we haven't seen, but they will not say ahead of time who is playing what role. They say they can't disclose that info for "security reasons". That seems odd.

Honestly we did not notice that the tempo was speeded up, if it was it was just not that noticable.

Yes, there is a dual cast for some of the leads (Phantom, Christine, Carlotta) but they (theater personnel)told us they never know who is doing which show ... find that hard to believe :-) We saw Anthonty Crivello as Phantom, Elizabeth Loyacano as Christine and Geena Jeffries Mattox as Carlotta. We went to the 7 p.m. show so perhaps the "other" cast did the 10 p.m. show that night. My friends and I thought Crivello had a great voice and did a good job but was not as tall as many of the Phantoms we've seen in other productions (less imposing figure I guess you could say). I also would like to see the show with the other cast.

Geena Jeffries was Carlotta in the SF production - very good.

Lori,
So glad you loved Phantom. Isn't it technically amazing. I loved the cage for Raul and the sound effects! And Phantom in the chandelier was a wonderful trick. And I like that you didn't feel it rushed as we did. I always hate to burst theatrical bubbles, but,,,,,,, every tour has had mannequins in Masquerade. And they are pretty much, if not exactly the same in the Vegas rendition. Love that you never noticed! Theatre magic! We too saw Love, up high. I loved it and agree that up high would be better. mrlou fell asleep and he likes Cirque. Go figure, it's just one of those shows, where you either love the chaos of the details and the music or you don't. We really enjoyed the session talk from the original 4.

hunterblu, is there a reason you want to see one cast over the other - other than the fact I really really didn't like our Madame Girie? Everyone elso was wonderful. I could try to find out the schedule for you, if there is one, and there always is one, although nothing is set in stone, as in life.

sista-

I have already seen it with one cast, and would like to see it with the other.

This desire has nothing to do with what you liked or disliked. Perhaps you thought I hadn't seen the show yet?

If you can get a schedule of who is supposed to be playing which role at any given time I'm sure everyone would like to see that posted.

hunter
apologies to you. Although I had read thru this thread, when I returned I read your question and scrolled down and completely forgot that in the midst of your query, you saw the show.

Of course you'd like to see a new cast!!!

My friend that would know is out of town. I'm working 7 days and nights a week, but if I get the time to find the scedule, I certainly will. Forgive my lapse as short term memory loss!!!

Thank you very much to everyone who contributed to this thread. It has helped me make a decision on where to get seats. I have decided to get Golden Circle tickets in the front, hoping to get seats in the middle of the row. Does anyone know which seat is in the center for each row? From the seating diagram on the website, I am guessing it is seat 30. It is hard to tell since the seats are overlapped when they are shown on the seating chart.

I saw Phantom Vegas a few weeks ago having seen it 8 times in London (where i live). I wasn't sure what to expect about the Vegas production (having hated the movie) But I have to say I really enjoyed it. I liked not knowing what was going to happen like the first time I ever saw the show in London. Knowing nothing about the LV production, I got really annoyed when Masquerade began and the Chandelier hadn't dropped...I thought maybe they had cut it! but when it did it was a real suprise. I am going back this April with a friend and want to see it again. Last time I sat in the 3rd row of the golden Circle and felt this was perfect, however I think it would be fun to sit directly under the chandelier for maximum impact when it falls! Does anyone know which seats I would need to get for this?