Advertisement

Efforts on Crawford’s Behalf Go Unsung

Paid to keep his eye on the ball, my editor came through. “Michael Crawford’s in town tonight,” he said Thursday. Somehow, that news had slipped under my radar--a pathetic oversight in that I’m the media leader of a worldwide movement to secure for Crawford the title role if there’s ever a “Phantom of the Opera” movie.

At least, some people think I am.

As everyone knows, Crawford was the original phantom in the Andrew Lloyd Webber stage production. No one will ever perform it better, but there’s talk on the street that movie star Antonio Banderas expects to do the movie role.

After I bravely wrote in April that I supported Crawford, dozens of e-mails and letters from his far-flung fans poured in from America and overseas. They hailed me as a heroic and noble crusader. Frankly, I liked the sound of it.

Advertisement

The most recent came in June, when Regina McCullough of Las Vegas e-mailed: “We are urging you as our leader to continue our campaign to have Michael returned as the rightful Wearer of the Mask . . . “

As their leader, then, it was only right that I see Crawford’s show Thursday at Irvine Meadows. And, what kind of a worldwide leader would I be if I didn’t secure a backstage pass and speak to the Great Man himself and update him on my noble crusading in his behalf?

Slight problem: It was four hours from show time and I didn’t have a ticket. In late-afternoon, I began a frenzied search for one, phoning the promoter’s marketing firm, a publicist for the Orange County-Los Angeles shows and, eventually, Karen Vock, the publicist for the entire 30-city tour that was ending last week.

Advertisement

Vock listened patiently as I outlined my international leadership role in Crawford’s behalf.

She seemed unaware of my work.

She said she’d see what she could do.

About 5:30, she phoned with the news that two tickets awaited me at the Meadows. And yes, she said, perhaps I could meet backstage with Crawford.

With an unexpected second ticket available, I took my friend Tim. As we hurried to Irvine on the 405 Freeway, I sensed he didn’t grasp the magnitude of my meeting with Crawford. “I’m hungry,” Tim said. “Can we stop for a burger?”

Advertisement

We picked up the tickets about 7 p.m. at the will call window. In the packet was this penned message: “Please meet Karen Vock at stage left at 8:40 p.m.”

Aha! That could only mean one thing: I would be meeting the Phantom himself.

With an hour to kill till show time, I milled around, talking to numerous Crawford fans. One group of five women was talking about the movie controversy as I approached. I stuck my notebook in their faces faster than you could say, “Antonio Banderas is a good Zorro but he’s no phantom.”

“I’m an opera singer and they should use somebody with a good voice,” said Beverly Gibson of Tucson, Ariz. “Banderas can’t sing. It’s not the right quality of voice.”

Orange Countian Julie Tobler, her friend, concurred: “It would not be the phantom without Michael. No way.”

One of the Tucson women asked if I was an entertainment writer. Tobler set them straight. I blushed, privately thrilled she knew of my role in the movement.

“I just went crazy when I read that column you wrote about Michael,” Tobler said. “I loved you forever.”

Advertisement

About 7:45 p.m., Karen Vock dropped by my seat in the audience. She said she was really hoping to introduce me to Michael, but that he was unusually nervous and wanted to get ready for his performance without interruption. “He doesn’t like to know what media people are in the audience,” she said. “Of course, he knows you’re not reviewing.”

Of course. I’m not a reviewer. I’m only the leader of a worldwide movement.

Disappointed but maintaining my nobility, I later talked to Mort Viner, Crawford’s agent. Banderas has spoken openly about assuming the role, I said. “That’s Antonio Banderas saying that,” Viner said. “He’s entitled to say what he wants. I have no problem with that. As far as I know, the role has not been cast. No director is assigned. Therefore, there is no production date.”

Would Crawford be crushed if he isn’t the phantom for film posterity? “He would love to do the film,” Viner said. “If it turns out they want someone else, he’ll be disappointed, but he wishes everybody well. He’d love to be able to do it, but if the cards don’t fall that way, life goes on.”

I went back to my seat and watched the show, vowing not to brood about not meeting Crawford but still wondering why leading an international crusade didn’t carry more cachet.

Before leaving, though, Vock reassured me.

“We have your phone number,” she said.

*

Dana Parsons’ column appears Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Readers may reach Parsons by calling (714) 966-7821, by writing to him at The Times Orange County Edition, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626, or by e-mail at [email protected].

Advertisement