Michael Crawford POTO - Behind the Mask- part 2

[@pegfurm]

I was privileged to hear Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman at one of their last performances in New York City. I will always treasure seeing the original Phantom and Christine! No one compares!!!

[@KrystalHarwood-z1b]

i saw hm in concert fiveyears ago and was amazed. saw him also in dotv and still was in love even though the show closed shortly after. how could it do so bad? its michael freakin crawford for crying out loud!

[@jennyjpbr]

"I think he was drunk"... oh poor Michael. 😂😂 I adore him. My favorite Phantom 😍😍

[@jurajkovac9965]

I have seen the Phantom many times in the West End and on Broadway and Michael Crawford is not only the best Phantom by far but has an unique voice.

[@DanTDrac]

After hearing Michael Crawford sing I tried to fly to London to see POTO, alas I couldn't afford it. When I heard he retired from the role I no longer had a desire to see the production. He will always be the Phantom in my book.

[@alexaz730]

It is worth to see even without Michael Crawford. It was really great. Both I and my sister were impressed

[@mypersonalstuff8456]

I was lucky enough to see he and Sarah perform in LA. It will always remain one of the high points of my entire life.

[@sfranc01]

I too was blessed to see him in San Diego. He is the phantom. But I have to say Ramin Karimloo finally allowed me to consider someone else.

[@terrib627]

My Mom was a huge fan of Michael. My Dad died in November, and shortly thereafter, an ad was in the paper for "The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webeber" starring Michael Crawford coming to our local theater. I gave her tickets to that show for Christmas. She didn't need to see the entire POTO. Just seeing Michael singing these songs in regular clothes was enough for her. She said it was the best Christmas present ever. I wish I had known at the time about backstage passes or Meet & Greets, because I would have tried to get one. When I told her that she said it didn't matter. She got what she wanted, to be in the same room when he sang. When she died 14 years later, I had "Music of the Night" played during her funeral service. The minister wasn't exactly on board with it, but that's what she wanted so she got it. I'm kind of the same way with Ramin Karimloo now. I wish he'd do a tour like that (preferably with Sierra).

[@lefantomer]

@@terrib627 The concerts were wonderful, and he was the most amazing Phantom. I got to see him 3 times! Some of the others, like Ramin, are excellent as well, but Michael was the first and no one has been better.

[@tootsla1252]

And I got to see him in it TWICE! Thrilling!

[@CynthiaWaldrop]

I've seen every performance of POTO (not in person), and the original will always be the best. Sarah is excellent, but so is Sierra Borgess and many of the other Christines. Michael Crawford has a warmth in his voice that reminds me of the "bel canto" that no one has been able to replace.

[@kikiwebster3246]

Where is the Crawford version recorded?

[@ericthomas7195]

​@@kikiwebster3246 The original cast album.

Phantom was my very first stage play. In LA at the Music Center. Yes, Michael and Sarah. I will never get over how in awe I was. I was hooked. This was the most perfect performance. Nothing I have seen since compared to Phantom with Michael and Sarah. I still get goosebumps and cry as I listen to the soundtrack. Incredible...

[@yotube1ful]

“I knew they WERE the days when I was doing it,” -Michael Crawford

[@mac420p]

This whole thing is absolutely wonderful!

[@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.

[@metalinyourhead3604]

My mother was their opening night in the 80s. She and her roommate saw the Princess of Wales.

[@mikekaraoke]

You mean during previews?

[@trodairebeag]

You had me and my sister in tears and goosebumps ALL night I Spokane, WA, 20 years ago!!!

[@lynnellis2062]

I was there and saw this with my 2 stepsons as I had been following him for years, I have never been able to stop watching Andrews with Micheal, shows they were all amazing !!!

[@MrWfpk4life]

I love this show!💗🎵

[@carolecarr5210]

Andrew L.Webber showed his brilliance more so just with music but casting Michael & Sarah as leads. Sarah was spectacular also.

[@altf1279]

"Oh my god! That was Michael Crawford! ...I think he was drunk.."

[@joshuagarnham9703]

I love how he used the Frank Spencer voice for that.

[@hepzebahsu]

Hadn't any of these people seen Michael Crawford sing in Hello Dolly? He definitely had a show voice.

[@glamdolly30]

Exactly, Michael Crawford also starred in the hit stage musical 'Barnum' before 'Phantom' - he was a legendary musical star before Lloyd Webber cast him. The idea Crawford was some kind of unknown comedy star and that Lloyd Webber had an amazing off the wall idea in auditioning him is absolute garbage!

[@sfranc01]

I was thinking the same thing. Apparently from part one a lot of the folks in Britain hadn’t seen Hello Dolly and weirdly enough weren’t aware of those shows. Crazy!

[@magick333]

Just what I was thinking

[@bawoman]

I think the surprise is more of him being cast in such a serious or even tragic role like Erik/The Phantom, when before alll he was known for is comedy/musical comedies. You have to give props to ALW for thinking outside the box there.

[@johnallen6039]

@@bawoman I think as a non english television watcher we hadn't type cast Michael as a physical comedian and remembered his as the musical stage actor he had been and were not as shocked as the English audience was

[@jamesdaniels8007]

Cliff Richard out of nowhere at 2:27. "A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one".

[@syra1541]

it's times like these when I wish I wasn't born in 2005

[@syra1541]

god I would kill to see this live omg

[@amyclarke41]

yes!😃

[@LanceKillerRyan]

Fire brigade radio frequency. So funny! Not even blue angels performances are perfect though they look it.

[@TheGameRazorOffical]

0:52 8:38 People, stuff like this still happens and it’s freakin stressful when it does but hilarious when it’s over 😂

[@clairewithanire]

Thank you for This x

[@bethhaines6340]

You are absolutely phenonmannal and i completely adore you always have and i always will

[@bowler8]

Michael was singing long before Phantom, he was in Hello Dolly with Barbra Streisand in the 60's

[@spoonetti]

Does anyone know what bass sound (soundfont) is used for the theme song The Phantom of the Opera?

[@mariashelly6392]

Jeffrey Archer said he did not know Michael could sing. Did you not see him in A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM? OMG he sings beautifully!

[@carlhsieh2615]

I don't care what people said but L.A. is Crawford"s favorite city

[@tootsla1252]

I saw him twice in the L.A.,production. Wonderful!

[@sharon102645]

I absolutely LOVE Michael ever since I saw him as Cornelius in Hello Dolly. He was the perfect Phantom for the stage, but Gerard was the perfect Phantom in the movie.

[@sharon102645]

Oh, and I first saw it on Broadway....4th row, center stage. I ducked way down in my seat when the chandelier fell because it landed only about 4 inches from my head! And yes, I cried buckets when he sang....Christine, I love you.

[@songdreamer142]

Goofy, did you do the editing to create these two parts of this documentary? I love how the Michael Crawford parts were edited together into this very cohesive 2-parter.

[@amyclarke41]

he is going to be in a new reality show with celebs learnng theatre skills if they get jordan he be stressed

[@JOURNEYIN2THEUNKNOWN]

4:28 is that princess diana?

[@Ellier215]

4:30 is that princess d?

[@terrib627]

Yes.

[@tootsla1252]

Sure is!

[@lauraleigh8744]

Whose the blonde lady at the beginning of the clip? It’s not Sarah bright man right?

[@theghostinthemirror8158]

It’s Claire Moore, Sarah Brightman’s original understudy. She must’ve been on for the boat mishap!

[@daniellemusella1594]

Michael: "I knew what I wanted to do with the pole." "Hello? Yes, I'm here. He's singing right now. Listen to this." Me: LOL! Also, I love that extra little story about the second backup Phantom, having to take over. I've seen this documentary elsewhere, and that part is left out. (12/5/2021)

[@michaelprice9484]

presumption don't judge book by its cover

[@imisstoronto3121]

Who is the actress speaking at 1:20-1:30?? ALso is 3:14 and 3:20 Michael or another actor?

[@lss74]

I miss the world when you had to camp out to get tickets .... in comparison with hitting a keyboard only for it to crash.....⌨️

[@googleuser2874]

I so miss the original orchestrations. The theme song was really destroyed with the obnoxious electric guitar playing.

[@rickramos1292]

I agree. I much prefer the reed instrument between when the Phantom sings "that man and mystery" ((((reed sound)))) "Were both in you" and Christine bookends it with that line. Now that reed is replaced with a lazy electric guitar sound and it just doesn't work as well.

[@37drdave]

I no

[@jeannescott1769]

Meditation on rain