The Phantom of the Opera - New Plymouth

[kari]

Toni Gibson
17 January
www.facebook.com/tonigibsonmusic

OMGOSH MY DREAM WILL FINALLY GET TO COME TRUE!!!! I will be playing the part of Christine in the big New Plymouth production of 'The Phantom of the Opera'!!!!!!!!!!!!

www.facebook.com/pages/The-Phantom-of-the-Opera-New-Plymouth/267475346728811?fref=ts

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Toni Gibson shared The Phantom of the Opera - New Plymouth's photo.
5 February

www.facebook.com/267475346728811/photos/a.268271486649197.1073741828.267475346728811/359895364153475/?type=1&theater

The Phantom has been announced!!
CASTING ANNOUNCMENT

Operatic crowing about Phantom casting

New Plymouth Operatic can today make the highly anticipated casting announcement for the title role of the Phantom in ‘The Phantom of the Opera’, with Chris Crowe today being officially announced to play the role.

Chris has made numerous appearances in musical theatre productions, corporate events and on the concert stage throughout New Zealand and in Australia. He has played some of the most demanding roles in musical theatre including, JESUS (GODSPELL), JUDAS, PONTIAS PILATE (JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR), ENJOLRAS (LES MISERABLES), JOHN (MISS SAIGON), ANATOLY (CHESS). He also received critical acclaim as TEEN ANGEL in the hit musical GREASE! Chris is delighted to be reprising the role of the Phantom for New Plymouth Operatic after starring in it in 2013. This is the role of a lifetime and he is excited to be given the opportunity to play the Phantom again.

In 2003 Chris was asked to perform the role of EISENSTEIN (DIE FLEDERMAUS) for the Australian Opera Studio in Perth, under the directorship of Gregory Yurisich.

He has also performed in GODSPELL, SMOKEY JOES CAFE and ON BROADWAY for Marshall Stack & CO, a collective of performers and musicians led by sisters Kate and Nic Marshall.
Chris has also been a featured soloist in numerous concerts including, Orpheus at the Movies and Anything Goes an Evening with Cole Porter, both with the Orpheus Choir and members of the Vector Wellington Orchestra, The Big Night In at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, The Magical Music of Disney, a multi-media concert at the CBS Arena with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.

Chris is also a member of La Forza, an Australian based cosmopolitan pop vocal group who are highly sought after in the corporate market. They have recorded a self-titled album and have performed in New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, South Africa, Fiji and Malaysia.

Also Chris has sung the New Zealand National Anthem in front of 65,000 fans at the 2007 Bledisloe Cup final at Eden Park between New Zealand and Australia.

“The role of the Phantom is one of the most iconic roles in musical theatre and the audition process has been very demanding’, commented New Plymouth Operatic president Kevin Landrigan . ‘We had some very good talent to choose from, which has made the decision even more difficult’.

The Phantom of the Opera runs at New Plymouth’s TSB Theatre from 3 July 2014. , where Mr Crowe is sure to make 'music of the night' on stage. Tickets are on sale now exclusively from Ticketmaster King Street.

Further casting announcements will keep rolling on through over the coming days and weeks, so keep your eyes on the dedicated ‘The Phantom of the Opera New Plymouth' Facebook page, where all the announcements will be announced first!

PLEASE 'SHARE' THIS FANTASTIC NEWS WITH ALL YOUR FACEBOOK FRIENDS



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Dale Adkins‎
1 July

The Phantom of the Opera - New Plymouth's photo.
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=685298281506819&set=p.685298281506819&type=1&theater

Here's the wonderful Toni Gibson in full rehearsal as Christine for The Phantom of the Opera. She certainly is an 'Angel of Music'.


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Ron Davis's photo

www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202930714422301&set=p.10202930714422301&type=1&theater



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Bonnie Anne Hudson Pinard
3 July
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152330222584064&set=a.71176599063.75326.553714063&type=1&theater

This was my very special birthday cake, given to me by my bff, Melissa J Bliss a few years ago. The text on the sheet music is from my song, The Bleeding Rose; beautifully recorded by Toni Gibson for my CD, who today, makes her debut as Christine Daae in the The Phantom of the Opera - New Plymouth — with Toni Gibson.




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Toni Gibson
3 July
www.facebook.com/toni.gibson.98?fref=ts

Opening Night of 'The Phantom of the Opera' tonight! Eeeeeeeeeee . Thank you everyone for all your support and belief in me. I am so lucky and I am over whelmed by all the kindness I have received, thank you! xox

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News:
The Dominion post
Last updated 10:30 03/07/2014

Singing the music of the night

www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/kapiti-observer/10227674/Singing-the-music-of-the-night

Kapiti starlet Toni Gibson is set to play her dream role in The Phantom of the Opera this month.

Starring as the Phantom's beautiful protege Christine Daae, the role is not only Gibson's biggest, but also the New Plymouth Operatic Society's most expensive production yet, costing $600,000.

Directed by Warren Bates, the show opens at the TSB Theatre tonight, bringing to life Andrew Lloyd Webber's tragic love story.

The shadowy character of The Phantom will be played by Chris Crowe and Christine's love interest Raoul by Bevan Williams.

Gibson, 22, said landing her role was a dream come true. ''I knew it was my time and I was so thankful to have been given the opportunity.''From learning scripts and choreography, to adding new notes to her vocal range, she believes she has fine-tuned her talents and learnt valuable lessons to support her promising career.

With no previous acting experience, Gibson began the production working privately with Bates to develop her character Christine.

''It is a great feeling to push out of your comfort zone. There have also been many personal challenges I have faced and overcome throughout my journey,'' she said.Her highlight had been working alongside the experienced team. Director Bates ensured everyone had been pushed to their individual excellence, she said.

''He is very patient and doesn't settle for anything less than your best, which is all I could hope for.''

Read the full article here www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/kapiti-observer/10227674/Singing-the-music-of-the-night

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Dale Adkins
4 July

www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=686303991406248&set=pcb.686304384739542&type=1&theater

From the program of POTO opening night in New Plymouth with Toni Gibson as Christine last night. First reports are a smashing success with standing ovations.









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Couple new photos:

Bonnie Anne Hudson Pinard
4 July
Excited to share photos from The Phantom of the Opera - New Plymouth's program, featuring the beautiful Toni Gibson as Christine! (thanks Ross Walkham!) (5 photos)

www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152332576549064&set=pcb.10152332581349064&type=1&theater






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News:

Taranaki Daily News

REVIEW: The Phantom of the Opera
JO HILLS
Last updated 13:47 04/07/2014

It cost the New Plymouth Operatic Society more than $600,000 to put The Phantom of the Opera on at the TSB Showplace - it was worth every cent.

The opening night audience gave it a prolonged standing ovation at curtain call.

This is a big show in so many ways - not just budget-wise. It has a team of 200 on and off stage, the talent of the performers is immense, the spectacular scenery is massive, the stunning costuming bold and colourful, the stage effects explosive, the music incredibly loud and it all results in huge audience approval. Congratulations to director Warren Bates and his team.

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As Chris Crowe (The Phantom), Toni Gibson (Christine), Bevan Williams (Raoul) and June Dams (Carlotta) reach notes of unbelievable heights, and dive up and down musical scales with apparent ease, you are constantly amazed time and time again. Their talent and professionalism are brilliant. You can almost hear the crackle of passion and emotion in the air as they perform.

Read the full article here www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/lifestyle/10232652/REVIEW-The-Phantom-of-the-Opera

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The Phantom of the Opera - New Plymouth
4 July

Massive photo from opening night of Phantom last night of the front page of today's Taranaki Daily News, feature Anthony Joines. We wait in anticipation of the review - due out tomorrow.¨

www.facebook.com/267475346728811/photos/a.321554367987575.1073741831.267475346728811/425992180877126/?type=1&theater




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Check out more news from FB site:

The Phantom of the Opera - New Plymouth
Community

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[kari]

The Phantom of the Opera - New Plymouth shared New Plymouth Operatic Society's status.
23 hours ago

www.facebook.com/pages/The-Phantom-of-the-Opera-New-Plymouth/267475346728811

Have a read of the 2nd review out today for Phantom New Plymouth
Check out the latest review of New Plymouth's The Phantom of the Opera by prominent local scribe and identity Gordon Brown. Help us spread the word about the show by sharing this review to your friends and family

Phantom Phantastic
Review by Gordon Brown

It’s been said before, the Phantom of the Opera is the most costly, ambitious show the New Plymouth Operatic Society have ever put on.
No doubt it will be said again, but almost certainly the accompanying sentence will inevitably read “and it is the best show the society has ever put on.’’That is a no brainer. The Phantom, as the show is known worldwide, is a superb production from start to finish. The singing is simply world class; the sets international class and the choreography first class.

Indeed, it is hard to find fault with this production, whoich ostensibly comes from an amateur company. Admittedly they are boosted by the inclusion of some exceptionally talented “imports’’ in the main roles, but to do otherwise would be remiss.

The Phantom deserves the best and in this rare appearance on the TSB Showplace stage, it gets the best. Director Warren Bates is rapidly compiling an impressive list of hit shows with the NPOS that is becoming one of New Zealand’s worst-kept secrets.

As always the real star of the production is the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, with the orchestra delivering unique power under the astute baton of conductor Christopher Luke. The Phantom demands extra grunt from the pits and the gifted ensemble deliver in spades.
The principals are superb. Chris Crowe’s wonderful voice brings the tortured Phantom to melancholy life. Toni Gibson is undoubtedly set for bigger things as her interpretation of Christine clearly
demonstrated. Society stalwart Anthony Joines stole a few scenes as the memorably unlikeable Ubaldo Piangi, while his opposite, Carlotta Giudicelli was played perfectly by June Dams who managed to show how satire should be played.

This is a non-stop performance which captures the essence of the Phantom in so many ways. At times we are tearful such is the emotion extracted by this talented cast. At other times, John Ainsworth and his colleagues have us laughing our heads off. But above all, there is the non-stop enjoyment of the quality of the singing, from the leads through to the choirs, who will always be the strength of the cast the NPOS manages to compile.

Don’t miss this show, it will not be here again in our lifetime – and nothing, but nothing, beats seeing it live in a superb setting of the TSB Showplace.

[kari]

The Phantom of the Opera - New Plymouth

Check our review #3 which was published in this week's North Taranaki Midweek, which is a weekly Taranaki publication.
www.facebook.com/267475346728811/photos/a.268271486649197.1073741828.267475346728811/428773053932372/?type=1&theater

[kari]

The Phantom of the Opera - New Plymouth
16 July
Good write up from local columnist Morris West in his section of today's Taranaki Midweek newspaper. Check it out below
www.facebook.com/267475346728811/photos/a.268271486649197.1073741828.267475346728811/431471200329224/?type=1&theater

[kari]

The Phantom of the Opera - New Plymouth

www.facebook.com/pages/The-Phantom-of-the-Opera-New-Plymouth/267475346728811

Final thoughts from Warren:

One of my greatest joys of Phantom, has been the positive attitude of this company and how so many of you were prepared to give unstintingly, your time, not only to make it happen, but to take it to a greater level than satisfactory.
I recognize and respect:
• The endless hours Sheryl and Andy (Company & Production Manager) contributed, eliminating a great proportion of our forests in paper work.
• The hours contributed to applying prosthetics by Jacqui, John and the work of her make-up artists
• The forward planning and execution of the many differing marketing team strategies steered by Patrick.
• The around-the-clock hours that Gael and her wardrobe/dressers did, in the weeks leading up to the show and the performances which followed
• How the catering team tirelessly looked after our weight gain
• The eye-for-detail efficiency of Eileen and her props team.
• The patience and energy of Brent and his lighting team. Always a pleasure to work with during our 3 day plotting sessions
• Glen and his radio-mic team who work to make us sound good
• The hair & wig team - & Amanda, who took a deep breath and ‘headed’ a department having never worked theatre before.
• The volunteer program sellers.
• The orchestra: - to witness individual orchestral members coming up to the rooms with their scores, studying each bar of music as the cast did a run-through, showed me true commitment.
• Stage management, Gibbo and crew. Wow!! Your determination to succeed in the choreographing of set movement, timely syncronized with the flying of the cloths, aptly supervised by Windy and with precision, called by Lesley: From a director also trained in stage-management, I salute you!!
• Each of the creative team, (Christopher, Karen, Shirley and Phillip), cast and BV’s – thank you. I enjoyed the rehearsal process, watching individual character development, discussing sub-text and layers with the principals (although if time allowed I would like to have taken it much further) and a special mention to my friend, Shirley Murphy who I have enjoyed working along-side for these past 10 years.
• Finally thank you to the NPOS for making this opportunity.

The world of theatre is a democratic environment where success is achieved by the people, for the people and not by one person alone.

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The Phantom of the Opera - New Plymouth shared Regan Tate's photo.
Yesterday
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202788329609165&set=o.227015024019084&type=1&theater



We're done! Well done to the large team of people who have been working all day today on the Phantom pack out!
After over 11 hours of packing out, the theater is finally empty and one hell of an adventure is finally over. Cheers to everyone who made this such an awesome experience. See you in 2015! — with Ryan Carter.

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Toni Gibson



8 hours ago near Wellington, New Zealand

www.facebook.com/tonigibsonmusic

So Phantom has come to an end, wow feels surreal. I just wanna say thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone involved for your kindness. It has made such a special time in my life that much more amazing. I will treasure this experience and the friends I have made from it for ever. Thank you Warren and The Phantom of the Opera - New Plymouth for giving me the opportunity to live out my dream <3
Now I head to Australia tomorrow to record. I will share more details shortly !

[kari]

Check out the official photos here

www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10203276028875871&set=a.10200998044807693.1073741828.1064107199&type=1

[kari]

Jul 29, 2014 16:35:17 GMT kari said:

Check out the official photos here

www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10203276028875871&set=a.10200998044807693.1073741828.1064107199&type=1

More photos here:

www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10203315741748668&set=ms.c.eJxNzcENxEAMQtGOIoMN9vTf2M4hyvr6hPgIRibUha6x58ErVtuW~%3BUnMEMyMTxCVzc76b859ohxL6jTrnC26MlswYhGrFT5EcbX61ie0RCG28AMrvycf.bps.t.100001534407257&type=1&theater