A photo of global importance!

Cristina here! This was my first LND photo manip. I made this one back in October when all of the "Phantom" on twitter "announcement of global importance" nonsense was happening. It was also the week before my SATs and I was studying like mad. I needed something to help me get my mind off of my books and relax. Making this photo definetely did the trick. I really only intended to make this one, but now I can't stop. You'll be seeing a lot more where this came from.

Click picture to enlarge.

Once Upon Another Time..........

It was about five years ago. I had been bedridden for days due to a stomach virus. Ironic, because what I was about to hear was truly vomit-inducing.

Having been bored for days, I decided to watch some television and came across a VHS copy of Andrew Lloyd Webber's 50th Birthday Concert. A nice concert, to be sure, and I was quite enjoying it. But then, when it was almost over, Sir Andy made a little announcement about a new song of his. I don't remember his exact statement, but somewhere in there were the words "Phantom" and "sequel". And then Dame Kiri came and sang an average- sounding song, but to tell you the truth my brain had stopped working and I couldn't really hear anything.

Phantom sequel???? My family and I shared some shocked looks. Surely, we said, he must be joking.

I felt better for a while, after we purchased the DVD of the concert and saw that ALW's little speech had mysteriously disappeared. The project must be dead, I thought. And what good news. What a stupid idea a Phantom sequel was, and what a horrid show it would have been! Unfortunately, this was not the end. Little mentions here and there, internet rumors, hinting from Sir Andy in interviews, it kept coming back to haunt me and the rest of the "phan" community. And finally, last year, our fears were officially realized.

I don't think I have to fully explain why I'm opposed to this sequel. The majority of the phan community has already done this on countless websites. But here is the ultimate point- it doesn't matter how good the music is, how talented the performers are, how beautiful the sets and costumes are, or how spectacular the special effects are. Despite the fact that the original has the best of all those things, that's not the reason we love it. The story is what sets Phantom apart- and there is simply no way to continue that story while retaining its integrity. The characters cease to be themselves, and the meaning behind the original show- especially the powerful ending- is lost.

"It's over now, the music of the night"- those are the Phantom's final immortal words. If only Andrew Lloyd Webber would listen.