We felt that this letter written to Antonio Banderas is one that should be showcased.  Marina, we will send your letter to Mr. Banderas in our next mailing, but even if he does not read it, this letter will remain here on the web site to be publicly read by all who visit.  Thank you for this wonderful letter and for your support.
TMCPMC

 

Record 270
Name: marina redford
Website: Le Fantome De L'Opera
Referred by: Just Surfed On In
From: United Kingdom
Time: 2000-04-09 12:05:27
Comments: Antonio Banderas, out of the hundreds of entries here, I don't see how or why you should read mine, but in case you do, I can only add my voice to the hundreds of others chanting "Michael Crawford is the Phantom."

I have only seen "The Phantom Of The Opera" once (with Mike Sterling as the Phantom). I couldn't see why everyone wanted Michael Crawford to be in the movie. I wondered how he could be different from Mike Sterling, yourself, and the other actors who have, or possibly will portray the Phantom character.

I had seen yourself in "Evita," and fell in love with the character Che, merely because of your voice and style. I thought that you would be wonderful as the Phantom. "What changed?" I hear you ask. Well, I had the wonderful experience of watching Michael Crawford perform last night at the Edinburgh Playhouse, and immediately I stopped wondering why everyone was obsessed with him. I have no idea whether you've seen him perform, or not, but I feel compelled to regale some of Michael's qualities:

1) The Phantom character is always seemingly present on stage. He knows everything that goes on in the Paris Opera house. Michael has the stage presence that conveys this. He has the ability to focus the audiences attention on himself.
2) The Phantom has led a solitary, sad life, and is experiencing love for the first time with Miss Christine Daae. The emotions that come with such an act are new, and powerful to him. Michael has a voice which can also convey this. His voice can be "hard as lightning, soft as candlelight" at the same time.
3) Michael does not move across the stage, he simply glides, with the grace of the Phantom.

All of my preconceived notions of what Michael would be like on stage, flew out of the window as soon as his voice possessed me and melted my soul. In that moment, I knew that he was the only one who could bring the Phantom's terrifying, yet beautiful qualities to life.

From what I see and hear, you have not yet been offered the role of the Phantom, and I do not know whether you have any wish to accept the role, should you be offered it. I (and the millions of Phantom Phans) can only hope that if you are offered, and accept the role of the Phantom, that you also will be able to portray the Phantom's magical qualities, for if you are not able to... well, I'm quite sure that you are aware of the possible consequences.

All that is left for me to say is: Consider yourself in the role of the Phantom. Imagine yourself singing "Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar..." powerfully and entrancingly yet with a softness likened to "candlelight, angel light, firelight and star glow" and then imagine yourself singing "You will curse the day you did not do, all that the Phantom asked of you" with the heart rendering force that is needed. Do you now still see yourself in the role of the Phantom?

I think that everyone involved in the casting of the Phantom, including yourself, Mr. Banderas, should remember those all important four lines, as sung by Michael, in the role of the Phantom: "I gave you my music, made your song take wing... and now how you've repaid me... denied me and betrayed me..."

Fate chose Michael for a reason, the same reason Lord Webber wrote the role of Christine for Sarah. Sarah and Michael created the roles of Christine and the Phantom, and for Sarah to be chosen for the movie, and not Michael, is a slap in the face to all of the fans.

Without Michael Crawford, the Phantom would simply not exist.

I am sorry to have taken up so much of your time, Mr. Banderas, but I hope that you now understand why a lot of Phantom Phans (including myself) think that Michael is the only actor for the afore-mentioned role.

In sixty or seventy years, I hope that I'll be able to tell my grandchildren about one of the greatest actors of all time, who stepped down to allow the fans the pleasure of seeing the only Phantom in the movie of "The Phantom Of The Opera."

In stepping down, Mr. Banderas, you not only earn my respect, but the respect of millions across the world.

Thank-you, with love, Marina.