Behind the Mask - The Making of Toronto's Phantom of the Opera

[@silanganimation]

FYI, Ramin Karimloo saw this production of Phantom when he was twelve years old, as part of his school field trip. His role model was Colm Wilkinson who played him at the time. Years later, at the age of 30, Ramin donned the mask and became the Phantom himself! Talk about a childhood dream come true

[@NeilMaidman]

It was actually Peter Karrie that was his role model who he spent time with whilst on work experience.

[@jaredildefonzo]

I thought he was in his like mid 20’s?

[@musicalmagpie741]

I thought that Ramin was far too young to play the Phantom. The younger they are, the less dangerous and powerful the Phantom becomes. Talented for sure, but too young.

[@reyvenskyes]

I'm afraid you're incorrect. As previously pointed out, Peter Karrie was his inspiration. In fact, if you Google Peter Karrie Ramin Karimloo, you can see the picture.

[@kronos911]

@@reyvenskyes apparently you are wrong. It was Colm Wilkinson he saw. The Toronto Star has a story about it when they shared the stage for Les Miz.

[@Matt_Hatt3r]

I still remember being a toddler and seeing this. It brings back such good memories of being amazed by all the scenes and effects and wondering how they got a lake on stage and candles to come up out of it. Lol what I wouldn't do to go back in time and see this all over again. I wish the productions these days would still do the show like this. This was absolutely the best!

[@googleuser2874]

I wish they'd go back to the original orchestrations and performance styles.

[@singbike5832]

The boat scene, with the lake aglow with candles, is my favorite visually. So beautiful and clever.

[@ontologicallysteve7765]

I saw Phantom at The Pantages Theater in 96' with Ciaran Sheehan in the role (he was utterly superb). It was clear that Colm Wilkinson was the prototype for his performance (and I couldn't have been happier). I have such good memories of this. Thank you for bubbling those memories to the surface by the upload of this video.

[@bonnieashford5207]

great doc...I spotted Neve Campbell in the chorus dancers....wow!

[@singtweetypie]

Thank you. I knew I recognized her face - but couldn't figure it out who it was.

[@mikekaraoke]

I remember being a kid on holiday in Canada and would see her face in all the trailers/posters for it, also later on with this TV documentary which has been played many times etc

[@mslasvegashilton1509]

My late husband and I saw this in 1995 at, formerly, the Pantages Theater. To this day, I still get chills when I hear any of the music anywhere. I was completely fixated on the stage so intently that, I blocked out everything else around me, making it all feel so real.

[@raedroid1703]

My mom saw the show in 1994 for a school field trip and she learned all the effects of the show with her class. She and I saw phantom of the opera at my hometown in Newfoundland and I also learned that my favourite member of kiss Paul Stanley played as the phantom and I loved his performance. Phantoms of the opera is important to me and to my mom because of that

[@07foxmulder]

Toronto lost a bit of its heart when Phantom stopped production.

[@catherineannelockman3805]

That's where I saw it...a magical evening for sure...

[@egad6842]

I grew up in Buffalo, NY and I remember all the ads on tv for phantom at Pantages for years.

[@justinharvey1355]

Those up close "in your face" shots of Colm Wilkinson as Erik/Phantom were forever branded into my memory as a child. I'll never forget as long as I live, there used to be a rotation of promotion video ads for the Toronto Production of "Phantom" that would air at random with the late Graeme Campbell (whom like Colm Wilkinson, also stared in Les Miserables) providing this grim and terrifying background voice to announce the happenings of the show, the "BUY PHANTOM BY PHONE" slogan and so on. Those ads always used to scare the hell out of me as a kid. In fact, I used to leave my bedroom light on virtually every night fearing that sooner or later the Opera Ghost himself would suddenly appear. (Rest In Peace Hal Prince)

[@skycron]

Me too! -Cory

[@tomgallowitz4464]

The Christine for this production Rebecca Caine was also the original Cosette in the London production of Les Mis.

[@princessJayNay22]

I have this on VHS, I've always loved how Colm's mask fit his face, like a second skin! I love this cast

[@victoriapontmercy1428]

This is the most footage I've ever seen of Rebecca Caine in Phantom

[@ontologicallysteve7765]

Victoria Pontmercy I love her! Sarah was great...but not like Rebecca.

[@davidlabelle361]

Was fortunate enough to catch this cast when I was 9 years old, on February 12, 1994.

[@pcteas]

The first time I saw the musical I was 25 and now I am 52 years old and I brought my husband and children. They loved it!

[@timc3478]

Went to see Phantom of The Opera for a field trip my Freshman year in High School. We got to tour backstage earlier in the day before the show. We were asked not to touch anything. Toured The Phantoms Dressing Room. I stayed behind the pack just a bit to see what the Phantoms mask was like. It was hanging on something, from what I remember on a table. Was a soft almost leather like material. I'll never forget it. Probably one of very few people who actually got to see that. I fell asleep during the play itself at some point.

[@heatherzwicker8031]

I laugh at the people who fall asleep. All the nervous anticipation of seeing the production, having travelled so far, eaten a bit once getting into town, sitting down, watching the chandelier rise, heart glowing as the overture swells and the calming effect of finally being there just knocks people out. The nap makes them ready to drive safely home though. I fell asleep during a sea creature Omnimax film. I needed Gravol to travel there and I said it was bad idea to go. The music by Sting was so beautiful that I dozed right off. I saw Phantom on a Grade 8 trip at Pantages. 1995. And again later as it was closing.

[@beatlemania1234]

Omg I think my parents had this on vhs (probably taped from the tv) and I used to watch it ALL the time when I was a young kid. I forgot all about it! Then oddly enough I worked for nearly 3 years at the Pantages Theatre (now the Ed Mirvish Theatre)

[@flouqis08]

I’d love to listen to Rebecca Caine sing or talk everyday. Her voice is sooo soothing and calming.

[@monosound81]

My aunt made costumes for this production

[@LucasBradleylpbproductions6]

So the late Maria Bjornson's your aunt? Or did she help make the costumes in the workshop?

[@ruthscott9026]

My mam helped too as a pirotecnicts person.

[@pyrozplayground9460]

That's so awesome!

[@Niqhtmusic]

Cool!

[@ayanamiayachanJ]

Cool

[@bawoman]

Aww I love that Rebecca Caine (the Christine actress) said Christine loved The Phantom. I think so too!

[@kyriacoscharalambous2304]

it feels really weird listening to the word "fun" all the time in the making of Toronto's Phantom, since there was so much misery in the orginal London production (until of course the opening night)

[@tomgallowitz4464]

Keep in mind, when it first opened in London it was still brand new and changes were constantly being done, at this point it opened in both London and Broadway was already a success so it was much easier to put on.

[@odilejones9129]

And in those months of misery produced one of the game changing shows in theatre history. Sometimes you have to suffer for greatness. I would love to see a movie/miniseries like Fosse/Verdon based on how the show came together there's certainly a lot to work with.

[@abbycareyyy7755]

Saw it when I was 8 or 9. Since I was a baby I loved my grandmothers decorative Christmas ornament that showed the boat scene and when you pressed the button the tiny candles lit up and go DUN DUN and Micheal Crawford would sing gloriously in my little ears “in ALLLL your fantasiesss” and it would continue to play. I wore that button out - my grandmother bought at least 4 more throughout the years. At 5 years old I was trying to sing opera in my elementary school classes and had to be pulled aside by the teacher to cut it out 😂 so I started taking singing lessons from an excellent teacher who happened to be my neighbour and getting involved in theatre productions. Then the movie came out in theatres and I finally got the real story behind it all, besides my grandmother telling me briefly, I was quite confused at what was happening because I was so young but still that made me more obsessed I knew it was deep. When I finally got to see it live in Toronto, I think that’s when it started to click that this situation was really really even more wrong, and high stakes than I imagined as a child. I never stopped loving this musical. I never stopped loving musicals. I went to college for performing arts, and I owe my own voice to the phantom, my entire performing career. I just landed my first professional role after college/covid, rehearsals start next month - and to that I owe the phantom.

[@KyaunneeRichardson]

The more I watched this, the more I am fascinated and amazed at this show! Thank you for this!

[@silentobserver3791]

Thank you so much for posting this!

[@mcaducker]

I remember watching this on TV with my parents. They taped it with our VCR, and it was shortly before we saw the actual show.

[@Thescwisp]

I love how In the middle of this documentary there’s just a random music video

[@dohaperson1]

Wilkinson and Caine were spectacular.

[@erracht]

They were. I saw them at 10 years old. Caine's voice was pure silver.

[@colejk67]

Absolutely... 1st musical I went to.. fortunate to see them both.

[@Al.W7263]

Phantom (Toronto) was my introduction to live theatre and what an introduction.

[@catherineannelockman3805]

Cats was my first...

[@FelizNAVIDad293]

Crawford played the Opera Ghost, Wilkinson played the Distressed Soul. Two different and original performances

[@chatbud]

34:46 Would be absolutely thrilling to hear Colm Wilkinson belting out those JVJ high notes and intensity!

[@emmadumais2337]

You know he could do it! My man has lungs!!!

[@ichi1957]

We saw The Phantom at the newly renewed Pantages. We got advanced tickets for more than one showing and it was so well worth it. The entire experience, the beautiful theatre were part of the experience. I loved it and still love the Phantom, one of the best memories of my life in Toronto as a newly wed. I have to see it live again, the music touches my heart and soul. Love it, love it, love it.

[@PyrozPlayground]

I JUST ACCIDENTALLY FOUND THIS! AND I AM SO HAPPY THAT I DID! THIS IS FUCKING INCREDIBLE! :')

[@kaber759]

WOW. THATS NEVE CAMPBELL AT 10:01 !!! I SAW THIS IN TORONTO IN 1993 IN THIRD GRADE. IN HINDSIGHT I CANT BEILEIVE I SAW THE LEAD OF LES MIS AS PHANTOM. AS A KID I LIKED IT BUT DIDNT REALIZE THE RELEVANCE AND GRANDURE THAT I WAS EXPERIENCING

[@WDI2008]

Isn't Colm Wilkinson best known for the playing the original Jean Valjean?

[@LucasBradleylpbproductions6]

He was. And little known fact that Wilkinson portrayed the Phantom in the original production at Sydmonton, which was Lloyd Webber's country home.

[@singtweetypie]

And he was Andrew's first choice but was already committed to the role of Valjean in Les Miserables so could not accept the role. It worked out wonderfully for the Toronto production as he was spectacular.

[@henryanderson6752]

He was also Che in the concept album for Evita!

[@singtweetypie]

And Colm Wilkinson also played Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar in Ireland (1974) and in London (1975) - so the relationship with Andrew Lloyd Weber goes way back!

[@lordpickle8424]

I saw the show in the very late 90s when Paul Stanley was the Phantom during a grade 8 class trip to Toronto from NW Ontario. Before the show we all had dinner at the Spaghetti Factory, lol. I'll always remember those two things for the rest of my life.

[@catherineannelockman3805]

Nice class trip...

[@Andrewhasgoals]

It really is a whole different experience seeing POTO in a theatre designed around the show and a travelling cast.

[@tomtalker2000]

So sad too see this WONDERFUL musical come to an end. I was lucky enough too see Crawford and Brightman back in the 80's when they finally made it over to NY. I also saw Sierra Boggess and Ramin in their respective roles. WOW JUST WOW too both of them...!!! They had great chemistry together for sure. I was also shocked but not surprised too hear Andrew Lloyd Webber discussing how much it costs to put this production on each week. Something like close to a million dollars...!!! That's just insane but worth every penny. Especially, after he commented on the younger generation really taking an interest in this musical now. And i understand it's a cost cutting measure after all as a singer myself music doesn't make a lot of money folks. But their is something VERY special about this musical because it's more than just a love story at it's roots. It's about acceptance of one's differences. And individual being The Phantom who feels like an outcast of society. If that doesn't speak volumes and hold A TON of relevancy in today's political landscape. Especially, in the LGBTQ+ community which i'm a part of. Then i don't know what does. It's a damn shame it's being pulled. They younger generation deserves too see this live and in living color not on a computer or TV screen.

[@1SpicyMeataball]

Phantom canceled Gays most affected 😂 And the plays not about acceptance. That's just *your* interpretation. (Puh-leeze you alphabets get a whole month, you're not oppressed. But one person says "stay away from our kids" and you think you're being gen*c*d*d.) The Phantom's main gripe is not just that he's deformed, he's twisted in his mind as well. It's a story of redemption. In the end the Phantom redeems himself with the selfless act of letting Christine go and not being a sh*t.

[@lesleyolson1324]

Brings back fond memories of Phantom faces over the years.

[@ameliazxdangelwzw3229]

Hahaha Andrew when he was younger oh my

[@sageantone7291]

Has there ever been a video recording of the Canadian production? What I wouldn't give for the entire show on VHS or DVD.

[@ontologicallysteve7765]

Sage Antone Yassssssss! Tell me about it! Colm is my favorite Phantom. Why on earth they didn't use him in the movie is an utter travesty. He wasn't too old in 03'. I saw Ciaran Sheehan at the Pantages in 96' as The Phantom and I can tell you this: he would have been perfect for the film role (and he definitely wasn't too old at the film's release). I would also love to see Colm Wilkinson on a blu ray release of Jekyll and Hyde.

[@PyrozPlayground]

Smooth Steve Oh good god! Yes! Colm is the best Phantom for sure! Everybody else sings it like they're in a school play, it's ridiculous. I can't stand the other ones. Colm has emotions, he feels the lyrics, he makes the audience feel the pain and beauty the Phantom feels! I saw The Phantom of the Opera with the original Canadian cast first. Saw it in Anchorage in 1995-96. It was my first show ever. And I absolutely fell in love!

[@pcteas]

My favourite musical with the best performers. Wilkinson is my favourite Phantom!

[@johnmcgahern3946]

No, just a CD of highlights in 1990, a copy signed by both Wilkinson and Caine that I have.

[@lancer525]

Wow... None of you have ever seen Michael on stage, have you? He feels it. The rest of them mouth the words.

[@andrewferguson5653]

I saw Phantom many times in Toronto, plus a touring company in 2006 and the new 25th anniversary production. Colm Wilkinson and Peter Karrie were my favourite Phantoms.

[@googleuser2874]

I like how Andrew says he was burned and disfigured and then Colm talks about him being born with birth defects. In the book, it's from birth.

[@TheMaestroCraig]

Not quite. Watch it back.

[@nevermorenovelist]

Webber's talking about a story he read about a guy in the Falkland Islands being burned. Colm's referring to the character of Erik from the book.

[@ckom0007]

I saw it with Michael Crawford in L.A. and Colm Wilkinson in Toronto. It’s a tough call but Crawford is the best Phantom.

[@LucasBradleylpbproductions6]

Well Crawford did originate the role in both the London and Broadway productions, so that might explain why.

[@syra1541]

yesssss

[@AdamSchoales]

@@LucasBradleylpbproductions6 *BUT* Wilkinson originated the role in Sydmonton, and ALW wanted him for the role but because he was busy with Les Mis they needed to find someone else. IMHO he's the best Phantom.

[@Flickymcbean825]

@@AdamSchoales and I’m eternally grateful Colm wasn’t available and Michael was cast instead.

[@jena6587]

I would love to know if the Pantages is haunted. A theater that old had to have some ghosts right? I’d love to know about that.

[@ARKHAMxMaverick]

Ok, I'm 99% certain that is a young Neve Campbell at 29:11.

[@thephantomoftoronto2692]

+Actorsstudio2777 Indeed it is!

[@dertobis5318]

+Actorsstudio2777 Yes, for sure! :-)

[@curtwhite7418]

+Actorsstudio2777 she is also seen in close up at 10:00

[@emilygracey]

Also at 1:51 as the Christine double.

[@jeromeferguson8]

This was her professional debut. :)

[@rhymeandreasoning]

Neve "Scream" Campbell was in this? I knew she took ballet/ dance, but had no idea she was in this production.

[@subebxsubebx198]

I saw the phantom in montreal in the early 90s Looking like a madman on the internet to find who christine/phantom (that evening I got the alternate christine).

[@chris220387]

Hey! Just seeing this now. My parents also saw Phantom in Montreal at that time and the Phantom was played by Jeff Hyslop. Not sure about Christine though...

[@ameliazxdangelwzw3229]

I can't help but fan girl when is see the real palais garnier

[@jaysalvoro9834]

I've been the real Palais Garneir and went on the rooftop

[@c_s_fox_1695]

Joseph Ray Moretti Can you just go up there, or do you need a permit like you do for the lake/cellars?

[@jaysalvoro9834]

xxkewldudexx You need permission

[@c_s_fox_1695]

Oh. Does it cost extra, or do you just need to ask for a guide or something?

[@tomtalker2000]

What an IMMENSE production. So glad i watched this because it just shows how much went into making this happen. It's still VERY VERY sad too see it go. I'm quite sure over public demand they will bring it back again. Once it's had enough time too cool off. It's just to popular not too.

[@mariamoore6130]

It was awesome play I love it

[@pcteas]

Wilkinson is my favourite Phantom!

[@misssparkles7520]

gosh you havnt seen any others then, he's awful.

[@artmayer391]

@@misssparkles7520 he is one of the best

[@Flickymcbean825]

@@misssparkles7520 I agree 100%. I’ve seen better understudies. All I can say is thank god he wasn’t the OLC because I don’t think the show would’ve had half the success it has today if he had been.

[@spiceupyourafterlife]

“The story of the Phantom has gripped the imagination of people for centuries!” All one of them.

[@daniellevinson6975]

I think he meant to say "decades"...

[@nathankelly3509]

26:41 represents art, basically. It can be so beautiful yet tun into a nightmare.

[@guada_cristina]

Love this versión.

[@jasminnemcdonald94A]

Now I wish I had seen the musical live.

[@djgraph404]

My grandfather was there when this show was built.

[@reservaify]

I will never forget meeting Colm he was so rude to me and my family I will never forget his bad attitude

[@kittyflarekatarina]

Tea, what happened

[@kittyflarekatarina]

Well I still wanna know what happened, please tell

[@emmadumais2337]

@@kittyflarekatarina I will say, Colm did get a big head during doing Phantom, but I've heard more stories of Colm meeting fans and meeting their expectations. They say he is a very nice relatable man.

[@daniellevinson6975]

@Five lamps Sounds like you caught him.on a bad night.

[@alyzu4755]

I hate to say this, but Rebecca Caine has been very open about the abuse she received from him during "Phantom". 😞

[@PhantomPhoenix1]

It's weird to hear the actors talk. I only know them by their singing voices.

[@csp1977]

Still remember Grade 7 school trip back in early 1990. Not sure who the performers were back then.

[@Sylvi3D]

Does anyone know the narrator was for this? I can't find a name in the credits.

[@MDkid1]

+Sylvi3D I know! And he sounds so familiar!

[@martinpatrick9915]

Micheal Burgess who was the original Valjean in the Canadian production of Les Mis along with Colm Wilkerson.

[@Sylvi3D]

@@martinpatrick9915 Ooh thank you! I remember his singing but not his spoken voice.

[@mcaducker]

I thought at first the narrator for this was Cedric Smith, (Alec King from Road To Avonlea), which I was watching at the time this special aired in my area.

[@lyndapies]

This is the musical I want to see. My Mom got to see Phantom in 1998. She wasn't sure if it was the Pantages Theatre or the Princess of Wales Theatre. But overall she said she loved the show.

[@tzinanechumah]

Promise, it's was Pantages. The Princess was hosting Miss Siagon.

[@ernshaw78]

Will it come back to Canada anytime soon for a long revival?

[@chatbud]

How long did the production run?

[@AdamSchoales]

10 years. The longest in Toronto theatre history, I believe. I think it might also be the longest *continuously* running musical in Canadian theatre history (I say continuously because Anne of Green Gables has been running in Charlottetown for over 50 years, but it only plays during the summer)

[@jena6587]

Hold on! Is that Neve Campbell at 10:00??? Holy hell if that’s not her then she’s got a great doppelgänger!!!!!

[@VerisimilitudeFilms1]

It's her

[@practicaldreamyr]

Yes! She started her career in show biz as a ballet dancer

[@reservaify]

Having met Wilkinson on more than one occasion I found him extremely regrettable rude

[@patrickdean282]

reservaify same here I worked backstage on one of his shows totally a diva and so rude

[@misssparkles7520]

me too, infact , and i dont know why, because actors singing JVJ and the phantom of which i think he was the worst ive seen, sing him off the stage.

[@nevermorenovelist]

You keep saying that but you don't say _how._

[@georgegatos8465]

What is the name that he says on 28:35?

[@thephantomoftoronto2692]

Alan Jay Lerner, famed lyricist who wrote shows like My Fair Lady, Brigadoon, and Camelot (among many others).

[@georgegatos8465]

@@thephantomoftoronto2692 Thank you very much!

[@ichi1957]

Was that Neve Campbell on 47.33? So young.

[@MDkid1]

I think they showed this to us when we went to see Phantom at the Pantages with my elementary school.

[@mkd20131]

I've seen Phantom twice. First time Paul Stanley was the Phantom. The second time was years later. I don't remember who played the Phantom. Paul Stanley was the best Phantom I saw.

[@martinpatrick9915]

I remember Paul Stanley in the role....the French musical star Rene Simard took over the role.

[@mikekaraoke]

Surly you bought the program/souvenir Guide etc ??

[@alanshore17]

I’ve always been wow-ed by Colm, but after reading how he treated Rebecca, it’s so hard looking at him the same way.

[@emmadumais2337]

They made up 2013-2015, Rebecca said so on her social media. I was disappointed when I first heard too though, but he's changed, she said so.

[@swanben11]

Hmmm?

[@monosound81]

that was Neve Campbell at around 10 mins.

[@pallafox]

I thought it was her.. I never knew she was in the Phantom

[@GeoffBarone]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neve_Campbell "she moved into acting at the age of 15, performing in The Phantom of the Opera at the Canon Theatre in Toronto while attending Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute in Guelph"

[@sageantone7291]

timestamp or gtfo

[@josephball2623]

10:00

[@sienna_paxton]

My grandma always talks about how she saw this performance when she was younger, and she said of all the POTO performances she’s seen, this was the greatest performance of the show as a whole, and the best performance in the history of musicals (and she’s seen many)

[@blissinchains]

Centuries? Dude, the novel was written just a bit over a single century ago!

[@maralisil]

Fascinating!

[@michaeloakleaf]

Rebecca Caine is my fav Christine ^^

[@eddieawesomeness]

why has it not come back to toronto?!?! i must seeit

[@subebxsubebx198]

eddieawesomeness Maybe you haven't heard but it is until Jan. 2016

[@sharonbeckerle7844]

+eddieawesomeness phantom has come back to our beloved toronto it is playing at the princess of wales theatre and is supposed to be new and improved.

[@Niqhtmusic]

eddieawesomeness it WAS coming in 2020

[@anneshields2010]

Iv only seen it on dvd and the follow up love the story it’s a tragic love story I feel also their is a lot of spin off books to do with the phantom also feel theirs something sexy about the phantom

[@movies_matteo7271]

Loved seeing Neve Campbell here!

[@jasonrusso9808]

"Beneath your dancing feet are the tombs of tortured men~ thus does the Red Death rubuke your merriment!"

[@angiel2710]

Nev Campbell is in this cast

[@miaoli3991]

why you guys so lucky?I dream this play for 17 years until 2015 ,i watched show.😭😭

[@cooljul1]

What song is Colm singing in 12:34

[@hansi6119]

cooljul1 It's called "Danny Boy".

[@davidlabelle361]

I was 9 in1994 on February 12th when I saw this at the Pantages. Religious experience, to be sure.

[@sofiez5900]

my mom loves this show but her favourite was when the kiss singer played phantom/erick

[@martinpatrick9915]

Paul Stanley had a run in Toronto as the Phantom.

[@jeromeferguson8]

WOW I DDNT KNOW NEVE CAMPBELL WAS PART OF THE ORIGINAL TORONTO CAST.

[@pyrozplayground9460]

Colm Wilkinson is the friggin' GOAT!

[@nevermorenovelist]

@Christine Freya Daaé GOAT means Greatest Of All Time. G.O.A.T.

[@EmilyGloeggler7984]

Honestly, I think Colm is better as Valjean and miscast as the Phantom.

[@davidnevils4676]

Who would have though the actors who played Jean Valjean and Cassette would play Phantom and Christine Daae in Phantom of the opera

[@jackdough8164]

This is actually who this role was written for (Colm Wilkinson)

[@narcisosoriano1359]

Are my favorite phantoms

[@dukethomas95]

How come the posters and such always show the Phantom's mask with two eye holes yet the one he wears only has one???? Hmmmmm.

[@AdamSchoales]

A great question! The short answer is, the promotional materials for the show were designed early in development when the mask covered the whole face. But, both the actor and director (as he mentions in this film) found it hard to show emotion by covering up so much of the face, so they ultimately decided to go with the half mask. But because so much promo materials were out with the full mask, and they didn't want to confuse the brand, they left it as is.

[@amarawoolery8404]

In addition to the other answer, they also found upon production that it didn't work well with the mics. Typically hidden in the hair or around the face as the one man said in the documentary, neither of these worked for the phantom himself because it couldn't fit under the mask and the wig would later be ripped off. An excellent question, though!

[@nevejodelle1fan67]

Neve Campbell was so young and cute.

[@queenmedesa]

I love Phantom of the opera! By the way, who said that Che from Evita is the Che Guevara ?

[@nevermorenovelist]

Who else would it be? Che from Evita is based on Che Guevara the person. Is this a trick question?

[@mcs-bl6sg]

The Phantom of the Opera, starring Sean Connery as the Phantom

[@phantom1592]

Colm Wilkinson will always be my Phantom.

[@LindsayFigurski]

saw this as a kid on a field trip from detroit - what a waste! i was lost, no clue what the story line was, what i wouldnt do to go back and be there now at my ripe old age..i would be obsessed

[@vince7735]

Why hasn't there been a sequel?

[@MyOldTapes]

There is! Look up Love Never Dies.

[@robertcook9328]

I saw phantom with Rebecca and Paul Gotshel? and the second tim with Colom he was not as good as Paul . RH cook

[@LouBrikanT]

Who else spotted Neve Campbell among the dancers?.

[@seanrstephens]

Neve Campbell at 10:01

[@deedragongirl]

RIP Byrron!