While never released to the general public, there is a video recording of an early performance of the musical with Michael Crawford that is only available to certain people involved with the Broadway show. Whether or not it will ever be released remains in question.
Officially of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Michael, Sarah, Steve's performance is not available on DVD, or VHS. You can watch them on YouTube, the film is crude done by someone in the audience.
Music of the Night is the only video that Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber had made it is a promotional video, a commercial a sneak peak of what the London stage Phantom of the Opera were to be in 1986. It then in 1987, it was released as a single went to charts of the top ten of the UK number #4.
If you are really interested in their performance, form a petition over 1000 plus signatures for the original London stage Phantom of the Opera play on DVD Michael, Sarah, Steve post it to West End Theatre .
In 1984, at the final preview of Starlight Express, Crawford bumped into the show's creator, Andrew Lloyd Webber. Webber had met Crawford socially several times and remembered him from his work in Flowers for Algernon.
He informed Mr. Crawford that he was working on a new project based on the Gaston Leroux novel and wanted to know if he was interested. Crawford said he was, but the show was still in the early planning stages and nothing had been decided. Several months passed, erstwhile Webber had created a pitch video featuring his then-wife Sarah Brightman as the female lead Christine and British rocker Steve Harley as the Phantom, singing the title song. Crawford was turned off by this, supposing the songwriter had chosen to do a more rock-inspired spectacle in lieu of a more traditional Opera/musical.
Since casting Harley, though, Andrew Lloyd Webber had begun to regret his choice, wanting instead a singer with a more classic, melodic voice, as described in the original book.
By coincidence, Webber's wife Sarah Brightman, who at the time took lessons with the same vocal coach as Crawford, suggested her husband audition him. Crawford was called in, and history was made.
In 1986 he began his performance in London, later going onto New York in 1988, and then Los Angeles a year later.
Crawford won Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical, a Tony Best Performance By an Lead Actor, New York 's Drama Award, Los Angeles Critics Circle Award For Distinguished Achievement in theater in Lead performance.
Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber wishes Michael Crawford would reprise his role as the Phantom. At this moment in time Michael is enjoying a break from playing the Wizard of Oz at his home in New Zealand.
Personally I do not know, but I have read some opinions from various articles, that Michael Crawford was filled with tears of joy, meaning he was too choked up to sing.
The three original cast from Phantom of the Opera, in 1925, Lon Chaney as the Phantom, Mary Philbin as Christine, Norman Kerry as Raoul. Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera in October 1986, Michael Crawford as the Phantom, Sarah Brightman as Christine, Steve Barton as Raoul.
Yes the London Stage Phantom of the Opera 1986 with Michael Crawford, Sarah Brightman, Steve Barton the CDs is sold everywhere even at Walmart Stores in the South of the US.
Michael Crawford created most of the role and won all the awards a stage actor can get. He played the Phantom role in London, New York City and Las Vegas. Sarah Brightman played Christine Daaé, but Dale Kristien took off since Sarah had left in 1988. Dale Kristien is the longest running Christine in history, since 1988 em New York City to Las Vegas. She played with both Michael and Steve Barton. Steve Barton played Raoul in London and New York City. The Phantom of the Opera is the longest running musical in the history of Broadway, because of the hard work of Michael, the cast and the producers.
For four years from 1986-1990. -Michael performed in London 1986, 1988 Broadway, 1990 Los Angeles.
Personally I think Gerard Butler did a pretty good job in the 2004 movie, however on stage Michael Crawford was brilliant in the original cast of Phantom, But also Ramin Karimloo who currently is playing Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webbers sequel Love Never Dies, played Phantom in the West End's production of Phantom of the Opera and cameo'd Christine's father in the 2004 movie Phantom of the Opera. He gives an breathtaking performance of Phantom in both Phantom and Love Never Dies and has a truly amazing voice.
Michael Crawford, he played the Phantom of the Opera on Broadway in 1988.
Steve Barton as Phantom( from March to October 1990)
Michael Crawford (not Ozzy Osbourne)
Sarah Brightman-Christine, Steve Barton-Raoul
The original Phantom of the Opera had come out in 1925 with Lon Chaney. Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera 1986 on London Stage with Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman.
If you're talking about Christine, it was Sarah Brightman. And for the phantom (Erik) it was Michael Crawford. Raoul was played by Steve Barton
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The three original cast from Phantom of the Opera, in 1925, Lon Chaney as the Phantom, Mary Philbin as Christine, Norman Kerry as Raoul. Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera in October 1986, Michael Crawford as the Phantom, Sarah Brightman as Christine, Steve Barton as Raoul.
Steve Harley was originally supposed to be the phantom on stage but instead Michael Crawford was the given the role of the phantom. Although you can find videos of Steve Harley and Sarah Brightman singing the song "The Phantom Of The Opera" it never went on stage. Andrew Lloyd Webber changed his mind for the part of the phantom at the last minute, giving it to Michael Crawford.
Michael Crawford is a British actor and singer, best known for originating the role of the Phantom in the stage musical "The Phantom of the Opera." He has had a successful career in both stage and screen, winning multiple awards for his performances.
Michael Crawford-The PhantomRosemary Ashe- CarlotteSarah Brightman-ChristineSteve Barton-Raoul
Michael Crawford, Sarah Brightman and Steve Barton.