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Dear Ladies and Gentlemen of
Warner Bros.:
First of all, let me congratulate Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Jeff Robinov,
and Steve Papazian as the newest additions to the company. I’m sure it
is a great honor to be a part of a company that has produced magical
moments in cinematic history.
However, from what I have heard, the magic that this company has made
isn’t being taken as seriously as it has in the past.
You see, I am speaking on behalf of the Michael Crawford Phantom Movie
Campaign- an organization of fans that not only wish to preserve Mr.
Crawford’s performance as the title role, but to also maintain the
originality of the stage play. There have been rumors circulating as to
how the movie musical should be done: the addition of new songs, cutting
some other songs out, adding more dialogue, a big star name in the title
role, etc. In my personal opinion, I don’t believe that this is right at
all.
First of all, I should point out that I am a sixteen-year-old girl.
Sadly, I was much too young to see, or understand what The Phantom of
the Opera was at that time. However, last year changed all that. In
August 2001, my mother had bought tickets for The Phantom of the Opera
as an anniversary present for her parents. My grandmother told her that
she didn’t wish to see it, and she suggested that my mother and I go.
My grandmother missed something beautiful, I’ll tell you that.
So, my mother and I went, and I was entranced from the moment it began.
I was still under the show’s spell afterwards, and I believe I still am.
But, the performer I saw was slightly more horrifying than romantic and
I probably wouldn’t have slept that night if my mother hadn’t looked
deeper into the show. She told me that this was a man who loved a young
woman and would do anything for her… even let her go with the man she
loved. I slept peacefully, but the performance was and always will be
with me.
Then I learned of the original phantom, a British actor by the name of
Michael Crawford. Needless to say, he is the best phantom I’ve never
seen. When I hear his voice, the hairs on my neck stand on end and I can
feel my heart beating faster. When I see clips of him as the phantom, I
see the romantic figure I have been looking for. It is a little
difficult for me to believe that this man was Cornelius Hackl in Hello,
Dolly! and Hero in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. He is
truly a professional if he can not only act, but become a role. Because
both The Phantom and him, I would like to become a performer and he is
the one I look up to for it.
While visiting a website featuring rumors and production notes of
upcoming movie projects. I then came across information about the movie
version of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical. This version would have
Antonio Banderas in the role of the phantom, with new songs and more
dialogue. I also found out that this move was supposed to star the
magnificent Michael Crawford almost a decade ago, and then the promise
was broken and production on the movie was put on the back burner. Of
course, I was outraged. On the same site, I came across the website of a
large amount of fans who did not want this to happen to the film- the
Michael Crawford Phantom Movie Campaign. I was interested in this and I
took a look at the campaign’s object of pursuit. I felt like I was on
the same level as these people, and I decided to help them make the
dream come true.
My family doesn’t take the matter as seriously as me, but at least they
pretend to listen and they agree with me when it comes to people such as
Antonio Banderas or John Travolta in the title role. In fact, my little
sister finally agreed with me when I showed her something that I found
hilarious. There was a clip that I found of Sarah Brightman and Antonio
Banderas singing “The Phantom of the Opera” at Andrew Lloyd Webber’s
50th Birthday Party. Afterwards, she said something very special that I
would like to quote. She said: “After that, now I’m Michael Crawford’s
biggest fan!”
But, for those who have seen the production, they will be very
disappointed if the show they love so dearly is overshadowed by big star
names. Would it make sense if someone with a popular name and/or
beautiful face playing a role where their recognizable looks are covered
up with deformed makeup? Why would someone try to hire a younger looking
actor when a character is considerably old? And what of hits such as
Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings; isn’t that proof that Hollywood
names aren’t necessary for works of art?
I know that Antonio Banderas is out of the running as the phantom, but
don’t look for someone with a famous name and face if the perfect
entertainer is right under your noses. I don’t wish to keep going back
to short clips of what has been if you have the perfect chance to use
the magic that you have used for generations.
Please, stay true to the original musical and let Mr. Crawford reprise
his brilliant role as the Phantom of the Opera.
Bring the magic back.
Sincerely,
Kasey Ryan |