|
Comments: |
This is long, so Kathe or
Di, feel free to abbreviate it: I have been a fan of Michael's for just
over a year and have seen POTO four times during that year, needless to
say, without Michael. Recently I was privileged to view some videotaped
coverage of old interviews with and about him, and the consensus was
"Michael Crawford IS the Phantom." Fortunately, some of the videotaped
segments featured clips from POTO actually showing Michael in the
role--both in and out of costume--and he was/is awesome! I was moved to
contact the Today Show producers to suggest story ideas for their
program, and a portion of my letter to them follows:“Since Michael
Crawford, who ‘took Broadway by storm’ as the original ‘Phantom of the
Opera,’ is returning to Broadway this fall in ‘Dance of the Vampires,’
thousands if not millions of his fans would love to see an in-depth
interview with him on ‘Today,’ or, if his schedule does not permit that,
at the very least an appearance by him singing something from DOTV or
from his Disney Album or from (be still my heart!) ‘Phantom of the
Opera.’
“You may or may not be aware that Mr. Crawford originally was tapped for
the movie role of Phantom some 10 years ago (and, I understand from some
sources, that contracts were actually signed), but now that movie
appears in danger of being made with a ‘name’ film star rather than the
man who created the role and performs it as none other. An appearance by
Mr. Crawford on the Today Show could greatly enhance the chances that
this casting travesty (tragedy to Michael’s fans) would not happen.It is
grossly unfair that the “Powers That Be,” as those of us wanting to see
Michael Crawford reprise his fantastic performance as the Phantom of the
Opera call them, should ignore the outcry of the fans, as well as
promises made to Mr. Crawford as far back as 1992. I feel a story
entitled something like “Whatever Happened to the Phantom Movie Starring
the Original Phantom?” would help to make Mr. Crawford’s name, face, and
accomplishments known to more than his faithful fans, thus perhaps
avoiding casting someone the PTB see as a better box-office draw.Such a
story would need to be investigated by those of you who have entré into
the world of celebrities, something most of us who want to see Mr.
Crawford’s performance as Phantom preserved for all time do not have.
Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber would need to be interviewed in an effort to
determine just why he has let his personal affairs (specifically divorce
from “Phantom” female star Sarah Brightman) interfere with production of
the film, starring Michael Crawford. This is a performance that needs to
be preserved. Executives at Warner Brothers, who apparently now hold the
film rights, must be included. Another useful person to interview would
be Harold Prince, who directed “Phantom” both in London and on Broadway
(for which performances Mr. Crawford won the Olivier and Tony awards,
respectively). Producer Cameron McIntosh (maybe MacIntosh?) would be
another potential interviewee, as he is familiar with “Phantom’s”
reception worldwide and with Mr. Crawford’s unique position as the actor
who first characterized this Phantom. Whether or not Mr. Crawford would
agree to an interview on this subject is unknown, as he, being the type
of person he is, apparently is willing to do the movie if the role is
offered and quite happily to go on with his life, which is full of other
interests, if it is not. The sad thing about this, in my opinion, is
that in every interview I’ve seen, spanning ten or more years, Mr.
Crawford has expressed that he “adores” the Phantom, that he “loved
playing him and always will,” and, in one interview in direct response
to a question about the movie—again, some ten years ago—that he “doesn’t
know any more about it than anyone else right now. Hopefully, in a few
months, we’ll know more.” Well, it’s been ten years, and rumors have
been rampant about casting such “stars” as Antonio Banderas and John
Travolta in those roles (remember the movies “Evita” and “Grease”?—not
quite Phantom-worthy, I’d say). There is a website called “The Michael
Crawford Phantom Movie Campaign” which is devoted to the goal of seeing
Mr. Crawford cast as the movie Phantom. While I visit this site and do
what I can toward achieving the goal, I have no authority there and do
not feel free to name persons whom you might interview should you wish
to include them in this suggested story. I would, however, be more than
happy to contact them on your behalf should you decide to include them.
I am sure many would be appreciative of the opportunity for more
publicity for this cause. If you have any interest at all in this story,
information you will find on the website should be quite eye opening.Mr.
Crawford is very modest and, to quote him from a televised interview, “I
value my privacy.” In spite of his feelings, he is a gift to the world,
and more of the world—particularly more people in the United States—need
to know of him, even if the vast majority will never get to know him
personally. I daresay most people in the U.S. will never see him in a
live performance. The least the Powers That Be can do is give us a film
showing his glorious performance as Phantom, thus preserving for
posterity a performance that moved Bob Costas to say to Mr. Crawford
during a televised interview: “Watching your performance in Phantom was
one of the most moving experiences I have ever had.” Mr. Costas said
this following an introduction in which he stated—and I’m paraphrasing
here: I am not prone to exaggeration. Airing a story based on either of
these ideas could certainly help introduce a large portion of the
American audience to Mr. Crawford, thus enriching the lives of many.. I
must tell you that until approximately one year ago, I was one of those
who had never heard of Michael Crawford. Needless to say, I have enjoyed
this last year more than I enjoyed the first 62 of my life, and I so
desperately want millions more to experience the joy that I have felt in
being able to see (via TV and old movies) and hear this incredibly
talented performer.
So, PTB, if you are listening, get a clue! Michael Crawford IS the
Phantom! |