There was a moment with the pyrotechnics — there’s a flash when Phantom disappears, and a spark from the explosion went and landed in the hair of the oboist. She was uninjured, but there was some damage to her hair, which the hair department took care of. They’re experts in that field.
I had heard this story. Frightening, eh?
Life in the pit can be quite dull, but then again, moments like these might make one wish again for dullness. Ya think?
I read the story here.
Very interesting article.
The Phantom touring company that I was with for 10 years started several years after the B-way production, in 1992. Three of the twelve traveling musicians have been there since Day #1.
There is a “friendly” rivalry between the traveling & B-way productions. Many people who have heard both orchestras agree that the traveling one is “tighter” than the B-way orchestra. This is no doubt due to the fact that the traveling personnel generally stays the same for show after show, while there are MANY subs in the B-way orchestra, like a revolving door.
One of my dreams was to play the full orchestration (like B-way) which has a much more interesting palette of tonal colors. But alas, I never got to do that.
hah … “friendly” … um … I wonder! 🙂
I have a friend who knows the oboist with the fiery hair, btw. I had heard the story before, but I hadn’t seen it publicly told until now. If I’m remembering correctly, that is. (Sometimes I forget I’ve already read something. Go figure.)
Have you read while playing? I simply can’t do that. It makes me feel so uninvolved, and makes me feel as if I don’t care.