Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Phantoms from my past


When I was 12 years old, somebody gave me the music from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera with Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman performing in the lead roles. A flame was ignited. Soon, I had the the poster, t-shirt, earrings,  perfume, music box, libretto and the mask. I even owned the Lon Chaney silent film version of the story. Yeah. Obsessed.

I went  to go see it live in San Francisco which was only 45 minutes from where I grew up. I was amazed the  stage production. I remember getting chills throughout at the sights and sounds. The obsession lasted a year or so and eventually tapered after I had seen every known movie or show about the Phantom...and then I discovered real boys. (=

Later as a college student in London I saw the show there and it was like bumping into a sexy ex-boyfriend--leading me to get hooked on the music again for awhile. A brief relapse.

Years skimmed by and then not too long ago the movie came out. I think there is a plot against me, because just as I had forgotten all about it--they stick Gerard Butler in the role as Phantom. Curse them. So, yeah, I own the movie and watch it now and then. It doesn't take over my brain like it did when I was 12 years old, but I like the music and well...Gerard Butler!

I'm not even a big musical theater fan, really. But some things just resonate.(= Look. At. Him. Sighhhhh...


What reoccurring obsession do you have?






19 comments:

Bkloss said...

Oh I can so relate! There are three things that do this to me: Pride and Prejudice, Harry Potter, and Lord of the Rings. Actually, I was getting over LOTR then it was on TV and the fling started all over! They're on to me.... *looks over shoulder*

Sean Thomas Fisher said...

We saw The Phantom three years ago or so at our Civic Center and we were blown away. The lake scene was mad crazy. How do they do that?

I get like that with the Dawn of the Dead remake though. Just when I forget about it, there it is on Syfy. Or we pass the Pottery Barn in the mall, or hands start clawing their way out of the grass while we're mountain biking through the cemetery. Takes me back every time...

Johanna Garth said...

Oh, I love Phantom!

So, I'm a little embarassed to admit this but my ocassional reoccuring obsession is with Grease! I love Danny Zukko and I spent years (yes years) learning all of Sandy's songs...hopelessly devoted to youooo. I'm blushing as a write this! I can still sit down and watch the whole thing whenever it happens to be on t.v. Phantom is way more cool than a reoccuring Grease obsession!

Jo Schaffer said...

Barbara- Oh, I love P&P too! Ahhhh!They need to stop making Darcy books and sequels. Now.

Sean- HAHAH! Oh, I hate it when that happens...(= If you are a zombie fan maybe I can hook you up if that new SyFy zombie comedy starts up.

Johanna-
(= Grease is fun! I saw the stage version when I lived in London-- the guy who played Danny put on a convincing American accent and was a total babe.

Anonymous said...

I haven't seen Phantom yet, but I'd love to.

I've always been obsessed with The Princess Bride, The Wizard of Oz, and Alice in Wonderland (in film and book form).

Alleged Author said...

My recurring obsession is THE LORD OF THE RINGS. Then Jackson comes along and makes my LIFE. I cannot WAIT until THE HOBBIT!

Tahsha said...

Let me just tell you. I saw Phantom in Vegas. It was amazing! But the Phantom there was nothing compared to Gerard. He IS the Phantom!

Roland D. Yeomans said...

For me it is the LORD OF THE RINGS and before that it was STAR TREK until Paramount ran it into the ground with uninspired scripts. I fell in love with Cate Blanchett as Galadrial. I have several LOR posters and 8 X 10's autographed by her and the rest of the cast. I am such a fan! Roland

Kelly Polark said...

Rock stars. Tattooed, dirty rock stars. But my hubby is a clean cut conservative businessman, and I wouldn't have it any other way. :)

Bossy Betty said...

I remember being totally entranced with the stage production of The Phantom and the music as SO wonderful too!

DEZMOND said...

'tis not difficult having Gerard Butler as a reoccurring obsession :)

Writers Cubed said...

Great post Jo! Loves!

Theresa Milstein said...

I'll admit it's a hot picture, but I'm so not a musical fan.

What reoccurring obsession do I have? Hmmm. Books. Too obvious? It's true though. I can't go a week without buying some.

Anonymous said...

No fair. Johanna took my first answer (Greece) and then Kelly took my second answer (sexy rough and tumble rock stars). Geesh!

I saw Phantom in Vegas... but once was probably enough for me.

Anonymous said...

No fair. Johanna took my first answer (Greece) and then Kelly took my second answer (sexy rough and tumble rock stars). Geesh!

I saw Phantom in Vegas... but once was probably enough for me.

Julie said...

Shia Labeouf.... so lame, I know. But I can't help it! He's so snarky... and cute! In a totally dorky way ( :

P.s. Also--like you--I fell in LOVE with the Phantom in London! We got those wonderful CHEAP student tickets with incredibly awesome seats and it was spine chilling!

Jennifer Hillier said...

I love the music in Phantom. I remember the first time I went to see it, I got stuck behind a lady with huge hair and I could hardly see the stage! So I gave up trying and just sat back and listened to the music. It was almost as good.

I'd have to say that I am obsessed with the movie The Princess Bride. I watch it all the time!

Kathi Oram Peterson said...

I saw Phantom in New York. Awesome!

BTW: You won the Thursday giveaway on my blog tour. Please send me your email so I can pop it on the mail to you. Thanks!

Sarah Allen said...

Just saw this in Vegas. Huge musical theater fan, not a big PHantom fan, but the vegas production was a very pleasant surprise. I really liked it :)

Sarah Allen
(my creative writing blog)