Phantom of the Opera 30-Day Challenge – Day 30

So I am on the last day of the Phantom of the Opera 30-Day challenge. It’s a bittersweet ending. So much has happened throughout the time it took me to complete the challenge. My grandmother got sick and passed and I had to put the challenge on hold. Seasons have officially changed. It’s just been a lot. But, alas, we are at the end, so we persevered!

Your Favorite Thing About the Phantom Story

Oh my, this question is difficult to answer too because there are so many great things about the Phantom story. The music, the opulent setting…there’s so much to love about it. However, I think my favorite thing about it is how it’s overall a story about the redeeming power of love.

Poor unhappy Erik was probably the loneliest soul to ever live. He was desperate for love and tried to take it by force. However, in the end, it was his true love for Christine that ultimately saved his soul. By setting her free and putting her happiness above his own, he redeemed himself. That is the truest type of love – when you’re willing to sacrifice your own happiness for that of the person you love.

I also love how the Phantom story seems to touch everyone who comes in contact with it. Although we might not all be disfigured in the way that the Phantom was, I think almost every one has felt different or like an outcast at one point or another. The Phantom’s pain speaks to all of us, I think, on some level and our innate desire to be loved. It’s just a touching tale that so many people can identify with in some way or another, whether you identify with the character of Christine, Erik or another.

Phantom of the Opera 30-Day Challenge – Day 29

Your Favorite [Personal or Otherwise] Headcanon

My favorite headcanon for the Phantom and Christine are Gerard Butler and Emmy Rossum. Again, I’m probably biased towards them because they are the first interpretation of Phantom that I saw, but they are my go-to images of the characters. When I’m reading a phanfic, I always imagine Christine with Emmy’s young, cherubic face and the Phantom with Gerard’s darkly alluring features. I know their images aren’t in sync with the description of either characters from the original novel, so when I read Gaston Leroux’ s novel, I usually picture a Lon Chaney-type Phantom and a Christine who basically looks like Emmy Rossum, but with blonde hair, blue eyes and a shorter frame.

Who are your favorite headcanons? Are they Broadway performers or from a movie adaptation? Or from elsewhere?

Phantom of the Opera 30-Day Challenge – Day 28

Your Favorite Phanart

This question is difficult for me to answer simply because there is so much great Phanart out there. It’s truly amazing just how many artists have been inspired by the tale of our beloved Phantom. If I’m forced to choose my favorite Phanart, though, I’ll go with this painting by Raffi Jacobian. I stumbled upon it one day while doing a Google image search for “Phantom of the Opera paintings.” I love the colors and style as well as the masked figure standing with the lady (who is obviously Christine) at the top of the staircase.

What about you? What’s your favorite Phanart?

Phantom of the Opera 30-Day Challenge – Day 27

It’s been nearly two months since I paused my participation in the Phantom of the Opera 30-Day challenge. As many of you know by now, my beloved grandmother was diagnosed with amiodarone toxicity and after a month-long battle with it, she died on March 11th of this year. I’ve had a little over a month of grieving and am now back to continue onward with the challenge. She wouldn’t want me to discontinue my life, and I know she is much happier and better off up in Heaven where she belongs.

With that being said, I’ll pick up where I left off on Day 27.

Your Favorite Cast Member Ship

This question is kind of difficult for me to answer since I don’t think it’s right to ship the actors themselves together. That’s kind of disrespectful to them, especially if they are in relationships with others. Therefore, I’m going to look at this question from the viewpoint that this means which actors are your favorites paired together when playing their roles.

Looking at it that way, I love Emmy Rossum and Gerard Butler as Christine and the Phantom, respectively. I like their chemistry and how well they played their characters together. Of course, I am biased because they were the first pair I saw play the roles, but they are always the faces I imagine for my Phantom and Christine.

Below is one of my favorite scenes of them together. You can see and feel the passion emanating from what was arguably their steamiest scene onstage.

What about you? Who is you favorite cast member ship?

Phantom of the Opera 30-Day Challenge – Day 26

Today is Day 26 of the 30-Day Phantom of the Opera challenge! Today’s topic is fun too!

Favorite Phantom Item You Own

It is so difficult to choose a favorite item, but I will choose my illustrated Deluxe Edition that I recently got from Easton Press. This is definitely the most expensive book I’ve ever bought, but it was worth it. It is simply GORGEOUS, and I know that I will treasure it always. I think it was well worth the investment too because I figure it will only increase in value over time since only a limited number of copies were printed.

Here’s the link to the product page on Easton Press if you’re interested in getting your own copy: The Phantom of the Opera Deluxe Edition. You can pay the whole whopping $375 upfront, or you can make 5 monthly payments of $75.

I have many other Phantom items that are very precious to me as well. Masks, a musical globe that my parents bought me one Christmas, jewelry made by dear Phantom phriends, notes from O.G. himself *wink,* and other handcrafted items from dear phriends. Just to give you a little idea. Here’s a picture of my Phantom collection at a glance:

What about you? What is your favorite Phantom item that you own?

Phantom of the Opera 30-Day Challenge – Day 25

It’s Valentine’s Day and Day 25 of the 30-Day Phantom of the Opera Challenge, so happy day to both!

Your Opinion on Love Never Dies

Oh dear. I know there are so many Phans who hate the sequel (I have one friend who renamed it Paint Never Dries lol), but I actually like Love Never Dies. Let me clarify, though. The storyline itself is ridiculous. It was based on the book by Frederick Forsyth, The Phantom of Manhattan, which was not one of my favorite books in the world. It’s been forever since I’ve read it, so maybe I should give it another shot before expressing my opinion, but I remember I didn’t like it when I read it over 10 years ago.

However, I love the music – all except that Bathing Beauty. I don’t believe the Phantom would ever have compromised his art to write such a silly song, but I digress. I also love the set. It is extravagant and wondrous to behold with all the Coney Island props. The costumes are amazing as well. Christine’s peacock dress she wears in the title song is simply stunning!

So overall, I am a Phan of Love Never Dies, although not like I am the original Phantom.

What about you? What is your opinion of the sequel?

Phantom of the Opera 30-Day Challenge – Day 24

Today is Day 24 of the 30-Day Phantom of the Opera Challenge.

Favorite Phantom-related YouTube Video

If you’ve been in the Phandom very long, then you’ve probably heard of Phan videos. These are basically just Phan-made videos were Phans have taken a song and edited scenes from The Phantom of the Opera to fit the song. My favorite Phantom-related YouTube video is a Phan video that’s set to Hayley Westenra’s Dark Waltz. Not only do I just love the song, I think the video is edited beautifully to go with the words. Check it out below.

What’s your favorite Phantom-related YouTube video?

Phantom of the Opera 30-Day Challenge – Day 23

It’s Day 23 of the 30-Day Phantom of the Opera Challenge! Today’s topic is easy and fun!

Favorite Phantom GIF

For those of you who don’t know, a GIF is an animated image that moves. There’s been a LOT of wonderful Phantom GIFs made over the years. If I have to choose a favorite one, though, I will go with this one:

https://giphy.com/embed/z0wkmu4uogGgUvia GIPHY

One of my favorite things about Gerry’s Phantom portrayal is the famous cape swirl, and this GIF captures that perfectly.

What is your favorite Phantom GIF?

Phantom of the Opera 30-Day Challenge – Day 22

Today is Day 22 of the 30-Day Phantom of the Opera Challenge! (Okay, well if you’ve been loyally following my blog, then you’ll notice that I missed yesterday. I admit it. I forgot to post yesterday. I’m sorry! *sheepish* I can’t believe I forgot our Phantom, but yesterday was such a whirlwind! I hope y’all will forgive me. Anyway, so I’m calling today Day 22. *ahem* Yes, Day 22.) Let’s be on with it, shall we?

Favorite Interview of Cast Members

Oh, gosh, this is difficult for me simply because I didn’t watch many interviews of the cast members. I know! I know! It’s horrible of me as a Phan to not watch everything I can find about Phantom, but I stay busy with writing and lots of stuff, you know?

If I have to choose one, though, I’ll pick this one simply because it was one of the interviews I actually did watch. I like learning how Gerry felt about preparing for the role and all. I bet it was a HUGE amount of pressure considering all the greats who have played the role before him on the stage and the fact that he’d never had any formal singing experience.

So what’s your favorite interview of the cast members?

Phantom of the Opera 30-Day Challenge – Day 21

Today is Day 21 of the 30-Day Phantom of the Opera Challenge!

Favorite Part of the 2004 Movie

My favorite part of the 2004 movie, without a doubt, is the Journey to the Lair. I love when we get that first glimpse of the Phantom and his lair. When she places his hand in hers and leads her into his subterranean domain, it’s just so magical. I love the music and the ambiance with all the flickering candelabras.

To watch the scene I’m talking about, click the clip below.

What’s your favorite part of the 2004 movie?