Ben Lewis

[unwinding_fantasy]

Fred was wondering who I was talking about in the "Playing Nostradamus" thread. I figured other people also might not know this guy so here is a place for us to fangirl discuss the amazing Ben Lewis.

I first saw Ben as Sir Galahad in Spamalot then as Count Carl-Magnus in A Little Night Music. These are both comedic roles and he had me giggling through all his scenes... so of course when I heard he was going to be the Phantom in Love Never Dies I was pretty sceptical! Could he do dramatic or was LND!Erik going to unintentionally become even hammier than he already was?

When I saw LND for the first time -- figured I had to witness it to have the right to bag it! -- Ben blew me away. His magnetic voice and powerful stage presence made everyone else look wishy-washy. I actually saw LND multiple times, which wouldn't have happened if Ben wasn't such a great performer.

Here's an audio of him singing, 'Til I Hear You Sing. Apparently there's speculation on some other PotO forum that this is from the upcoming DVD release. It does sound pretty clear but I dunno, I'm no expert!

[jayko]

Yay, Ben!!

Absolutely loved him in Little Night music. He isn't too hard on the eyes either. XD

[Fredus]

I need to listen to that... but my brain is broken at the moment. He does look pretty good though.

I assume that bottom photo is him as Count Carl-Magnus?

[jayko]

Yep! He was so funny... and he and Anthony were just great together. Totally bounced off one another.

Should also mention that he is Alex's brother for those who don't know.

[Fredus]

Really? That's ... I suppose the name should have given it away, but apparently not.

I wish I'd gotten a chance to see that one. I hope they randomly bring it out on DVD sometime.

[unwinding_fantasy]

I adored ALNM! Count Carl-Magnus is a possessive chauvenistic adulterer. When he suspects his mistress (Sigrid Thornton in our production) is having a fling with Anthony's character, he drags his wife to the country to spy on them. He passes the trip off as his wife's birthday present...

The movie is pretty good too. You should rent it!

[Fredus]

And was she having a fling?

I'll hunt the movie down at some point then - at least then I'll see the storyline, even if there's no undressed Anthony.

[unwinding_fantasy]

She was! The story revolves around three couples: Desiree and Frederik, the Count and his wife, and Frederik's second wife and his son. Yes, layers upon layers of love but it's all done in a hilarious way. Possibly the funniest moment was unintentional though. The motor in the prop car Anthony was driving decided to die so he had to move it off stage Flintstone's style.

You'll have to let me know what you think of it.

[windbelle]

I saw the broadway production one or two years ago, and absolutely loved it. Wish I could see Anthony in ALNM! And I can picture Ben as the Count. Their duet could be hilarious.

[unwinding_fantasy]

Ohhh, that song. It's one of those ones that gets embedded in your brain. "Sir..." "Sir..."

I really hope Ben plays the Phantom when PotO returns. I think he'd bring a lot to the role.

[jayko]

Their duet was really really funny. In the end Anthony was pretty much just not even saying the word "sir", just sort of grunting it at him. Wish I could see it again!