The Point of no Return comparison - Phantom's part

Requested by Tina Zelda. Happy birthday, Tina!
Who's your most/least favourite???
The video includes Michael Crawford, Colm Wilkinson, Steve Barton, Ethan Freeman, John Owen-Jones, Earl Carpenter, Ramin Karimloo, Marcus Lovett, Geronimo Rauch, Jonathan Roxmouth, Hugh Panaro, Norm Lewis, and James Barbour
PS Audios vary in age and quality, so some are clearer and louder than others.

[@jackiep594]

They are all such different phantoms: some (especially Crawford) transcend to actual supernatural beings (one of the reasons I think Crawford's influence is unquestioned is because he truly raised the question of what exactly Erik was), others like JOJ are authoritative men at the end of their victimization, Ramin's is a young man, powerful but out of control, striving to take the future, Hugh is a genius gone mad in the dark, Geronimo/Norm are romantics who are the hero of this story and Colm is JVJ in a hat (did they drop the key for Barbour?).

[@snaake9389]

Jacob Price It’s quite amazing, because the Phantom can be interpreted as any of those tropes.

[@hellofriends2649]

Who is JVJ?

[@theghostinthemirror8158]

Hello Friends John valjean I think.

[@blackngoldcuttlefish3390]

Jacob Price interesting analysis. Crawford for the win lol

[@swanben11]

Oh god, I just reached Barbour. No key change here, he’s just horrifically flat the entire intro section.

[@nsswll]

0:05 Michael Crawford 1:02 Colm Wilkinson 1:50 Steve Barton 2:44 Ethan Freeman 3:45 John Owen-Jones 4:43 Earl Carpenter 5:40 Ramin Karimloo 6:35 Marcus Lovett 7:34 Geronimo Rauch 8:41 Jonathan Roxmouth ✔️ 9:32 Hugh Panaro 10:29 Norm Lewis 11:25 James Barbour

[@TheBlondeBomb1000]

Ramin. The only Phantom I know of that's added the attempt at a faux-Italian accent to better mimic Piangi, while he's in the Don Juan disguise. It helps me suspend my disbelief that nobody knows its him under the robe in that scene. Ramin acting as Phantom, who in turn is acting as Piangi is such fun. Plus he has such a gorgeous and rich voice. He wins.

[@fem953]

listen to the john owen jones segment

[@PhantomofDB]

Literally every aspect of Ramin's phantom is carbon copied from John Owen Jones. While JOJ was phantom, Ramin was Raoul.

[@tonykelly717]

Matthew cammele also does it , he was understudy to JOJ , I think they both liked what JOJ, Matthew cammele was a seriously underrated phantom

[@natekrieger5741]

Luv Steve Barton’s Baritone. Rest In Peace Messieur!!!!!!!

[@lu_ul3543]

9:44 Oh... His voice is so perfect and maybe not human (I secretly presume he's an Angel... THE Angel)

[@catherinebracy4332]

Right after Michael.

[@autumncaudell1352]

I saw Hugh live right before he left Phantom and he was absolutely amazing! His voice in person is so haunting and truly fits the role of The Phantom

[@Pango5697]

Michael is the original. Hugh portrayed the phantom perfectly. Love them both for those reasons❤

[@yinyu7148]

I adore Ramin's voice and acting.And I feel Geronimo and JOJ are awesome,too

[@3c2b1aaabc7]

My favorites are Colm Wilkinson, Hugh Panaro and Ramin Karimloo

[@jaybonn5973]

As many have said before, it comes down to 3 Phantoms: 1. Supernatural Phantom, extreme Michael Very ethereal. 2. UNHINGED Phantom, extreme Ramin Very tragic. 3. Domineering Phantom, extreme Norm Very strong and grounded vocals. 4. Pretty Phantom- No discernable motive, it just sounds pretty.

[@user-xc8pw3zq3n]

JOJ!!!! He is PHANTOM

[@user-xc8pw3zq3n]

He acts like Piangi perfectly

[@whjk11b80]

Alright, so my personal favourites are: Michael Crawford, Ethan Freeman, Jonathan Roxmouth and Hugh Panaro

[@Silver54ful]

+Weronika K This is great. My favorites are as follows. All done as you chronologically put them. John Owen Jones, Geronimo Rauch, Jonathan Roxmouth Hugh Panaro and Norm Lewis. :)

[@jaybonn5973]

No Ramin :"I

[@Pango5697]

Agree with Crawford and Panaro ❤

[@Pango5697]

Michael Crawford and Hugh Panaro are the best phantom❤ Steve Barton will always be the best Raoul, RIP

[@budhenry426]

Roxmouth all the way with JOJ a close second.

[@nadjavandermerwe8671]

Jonathan Roxmouth❤ all the way!!!

[@JSBrown303]

My favorite will always by Michael Crawford.

[@adrianafonseca8830]

John Owen Jones, Marcus Lovett, Ramin Karimloo, Geronimo Rauch were my favorite voices in this song

[@stargirl2477]

Michael Crawford is my favorite. I've listened to his performance so many times on the Original London Cast CD, that the way he sings just says it all.

[@baditan3518]

Michael Crawford, the one and only phantom for me

[@anna-eliszabetmoger8923]

Past the point of no return No backward glances Our games of make believe are at an end Past all thought of if or when No use resisting Abandon thought and let the dream descend What raging fire shall flood the soul? What rich desire unlocks its door? What sweet seduction lies before us?

[@elizabetesantiago8051]

Muito legal poder ouvir a interpretação de artistas que fizeram o espetáculo a muitos anos atrás.

[@isostormgamer5584]

It seems that they changed the lyrics after Michael Crawford stepped down from the role. So what was the reason that they changed lyrics?

[@jaybonn5973]

Who knows, maybe it just didnt sound right

[@JSBrown303]

They changed a bit here and there throughout the entire thing over the years. I think ALW just thought it was better and liked to change things up like Lucas with Star Wars.

[@mcab5577]

I’m biased, because I’ve never cared for any other phantom with exception to Michael who always manages to make me tear up or compel me to involuntary close my eyes and wince at the vulnerability - Rob Guest not sure if here is second (RIP). I don’t even know what to do with myself as I was too young to have seen Michael perform on stage T____T

[@mcab5577]

Lovett is not bad....

[@jamesoniris2647]

I love how the masks constantly seem to vary in quality during the video. Like Ethan Freeman’s looks like one you would buy at a party city.

[@surreallane9730]

Oof, they all give me many different interpretations of the phantom. I can't choose! Hugh Panaro is ethereal, I will definitely believe he is an angel. I'm going to read the book and come back to make a final decision.

[@surreallane9730]

Hugh panaro. he's the most like the phantom in the book

[@winterwithawhyknudsen5166]

Fun fact: earl carpenter played the auctioneer in the 25th anniversary

[@D_Doyle]

I personally dont think the italian accent fits the Phatom, though I do believe Ramin is amazing is amazing

[@theghostinthemirror8158]

D Doyle I believe it’s only Italian because they’re trying to imitate Piangi, as Christine believes he is for the first half.

[@Branflakes1522]

Ramin is the only person that I can hear the Italian accent with. The whole point is to deceive Christine. Even though they have the cloak, she's heard him sing. While I think it's crazy that an accent could disguise the voice, it worked. What I love with Ramin's version is that you can hear him slip out of the accent with each phrase

[@vasilavladescu9030]

James barbour

[@jaybonn5973]

Lovett while sounding like Michael falls closely under Ramin. Theres a serious tinge of sadness and heartache in his inflection.

[@bawoman]

Crawford, Panaro, JOJ for me

[@zoegoodman2000]

Thank you so much for posting this!! I never knew that any audio of Steve Barton singing Point of No return even existed. Do you have the full audio of him singing the full song or do you know where it is posted? It would be so interesting to hear him in this song because not a lot of audio of him exists(at I haven't found very much.)

[@whjk11b80]

+hetty goodman Hello :) Thanks for commenting my video! I have two full audios of Steve Barton as the Phantom, but the one I used is definitely clearer.

[@whjk11b80]

I think on youtube there is only a short part of Steve's PONR, but I can upload it if you wish

[@zoegoodman2000]

I have seen the video that you are talking about.I think that he was performing in a reading/workshop of some sort...Is version that you are offering to upload the full song??Either way,thanks so much for the offer!!

[@whjk11b80]

+hetty goodman I've just posted the audio :)

[@zoegoodman2000]

Thanks!!!

[@jaybonn5973]

I have to give points to Ramin for how he slips out of the accent the more aggressive he gets.

[@narissanimi757]

I think I’m in love with Jonathan Roxmouth’s voice.

[@texasveggie]

Favorites-James Barbour, Jonathan Roxmouth, MC,

[@lu_ul3543]

WHO DISLIKED THIS PIECE OF ART ?!

[@TwitchyGizmo]

I realize its due to scarcity of recordings, but half this video is like that old "Listening to RedBone but you're in the bathroom" meme

[@twilightfox1013]

my favorite ramin karimloo in my opinion.

[@hellofriends2649]

Does anyone know which production Ramin's performance was from? It's hard to find anything with him due to the popularity of the 25th anniversary.

[@xxwolfyxx1448]

I think the one with Gina Beck Idk tho

[@xxwolfyxx1448]

I just relized this was 2 years later 😂😂

[@Branflakes1522]

You picked literally the worst clip available for Ramin Karimloo. Did him no justice.

[@sombra_rex1212]

I wish we had a version where ramin sang with his natural voice I like the fake accent to minic piangi but I also just want his voice

[@TheMsiaddict]

Ben Forster had a good PONR before The Red Death trap door accident.

[@Sarabara113]

TheMsiaddict what happened

[@TheMsiaddict]

Sarabara Back rib dislocation.

[@mortalkombat9733]

Past the point of no return No backward glances The games we’ve played till now are at an end Past all thought of if or when No use resisting Abandon thought and let the dream descend What raging fire shall flood the soul? What rich desire unlocks its door? What sweet seduction lies before us

[@jasminnemcdonald94A]

James Barbour and Steve Barton. My two choices

[@gerr2035]

No John Cudia?

[@douyoop2283]

Roxmouth owned this comparison

[@pxp1233]

its not marcus lovett! i think that this JOJ!!!!! ITS NOT MARCUS LOVETT!!!

[@whjk11b80]

Whoops! That's right, my mistake! I most likely unzipped the wrong recording :P

[@Lucillelf]

JOJ forever!

[@spungbarb]

Do you have a link to Crawford’s performance here? His tone is a lot different here than most other recordings

[@Barbies1994]

when you posted this on my birthday ❤❤

[@dayanacampillo7696]

Ramin Karimloo lml

[@natekrieger5741]

I Luv James Barbour

[@justoneguy2487]

That's Scott Davies in the thumbnail.

[@hellofriends2649]

8:05 flub

[@theskinthiefs6301]

Just saying Kevin Gray ...

[@jaybonn5973]

It's hard to discern some of these performances without the rest of the acting.

[@theghostinthemirror8158]

Is it just me or is Ramin really off-tempo here? Like, I’m not a fan of him in phantom normally but y’all did him dirty with that clip ooF.

[@blackngoldcuttlefish3390]

I think he's more off key than off tempo haha, he hits some notes way too sharp. He does that a lot and no one ever seems to notice/comment on it lol. I'm not even sure the "abandon thought" were the right notes at all

[@theghostinthemirror8158]

blackngold cuttlefish exactly. Everyone can mess up, Ramin is not immune. ( though Stans May try to convince otherwise.) lol. He always seems a little sharp, and at worse shrieky. I completely agree, also the diction on “ Abandon thought” seemed off. “ Nyahbandon thougT” ***the reason I say off tempo is because he seems to be struggling to keep pace with the pit.

[@blackngoldcuttlefish3390]

@@theghostinthemirror8158 Lol I'm glad someone else sees it! (hears it). I don't hate him or anything, I was fine with him being the Phantom in the 25th Anniversary, etc., because you can tell he put thought into each action/movement/inflection he made, etc. But he's not as flawless as people seem to make out. And I definitely agree about the shrieks...his voice is harsh and sort of hard to listen to sometimes.... And yeah, maybe he was overly trying to inflect/emote upon certain words that he got off key and off tempo haha (haha "Nyyyaaahbaandon thought" * wrong notes * ) Also in the 25th Anniversary, during the graveyard trio, he was definnnnetly glass-shatteringly off

[@theghostinthemirror8158]

blackngold cuttlefish oh during that scene he could bust your eardrums. Don’t hate him though. Always just found him a little young for phantom, ( and perhaps a touch sharp) my main problem with the 25th is Sierra ( like her in other things but she’s just _not_ Christine.) lol. But fans are annoying though that’s neithers fault

[@Branflakes1522]

I’m almost mad they used that clip. A video comparing different Phantoms and he uses what could very well be the worst clip available for Ramin.

[@Flickymcbean825]

Aside from being one of the worst quality recordings, Colm Wilkinson’s was just awful. He was a great JVJ but a terrible Phantom choice. I didn’t like Steve Barton as the Phantom either.

[@ln4719]

Totally agree. Colm just doesn't have the smoothness or seductiveness or sustain for that matter. And Steve has too much vibrato, it's distracting. I love him as Raoul, it suits his voice, but as phantom, no.

[@Pango5697]

Colm will always be JVJ. Not the Phantom😂

[@the.kathy.sophia]

What about gerry?? He's the best in my opinion. ..

[@isostormgamer5584]

Katharina Krause Are you talking about Gerard Butler? If you are I personally think he was great as The Phantom and he's my favorite.

[@the.kathy.sophia]

Isostormgamer 558​ yeah I am and he's also my fav! I grew up with him as the phantom.

[@truth8883]

I think Gerard butler as the phantom gets more women wet !!!

[@jaybonn5973]

The worst phantom is the phantom that has no take

[@jaybonn5973]

In all fairness, not the greatest performance on Ramin in this take

[@jaybonn5973]

Hugh isn't bad

[@crimsonstang]

Ramin is my least favorite phantom. And my least favorite Christine also happens to be Sierra.

[@mamacita9064]

PCMasterRace I can't even begin to imagine the amount of dislikes your comment has lol

[@theghostinthemirror8158]

Alaska Fish & Game I find Ramin a little young for the role, and Sierra just b o t h e r s me, just the way she plays it....like a love affair when (in my opinion) it should be played like a twisted obsession. And then she awkwardly garbles her words sometimes. Idk, both are great in other shows, just not my favourite in Phantom.

[@melissam597]

The ghost In the mirror I completely agree with you, both are miscast

[@bawoman]

omfg let's be besties. I find them so supremely overrated. They both have strong voices, and are very attractive (Ramin being waaaay to young to play the role btw) but I always thought acting wise they were subpar. I never felt much genuine emotion from them, its always either just not there, or exagerrated and played for the cameras.They are talented but miscast

[@jaybonn5973]

Barbour is a little flat