James Barbour talks The Final Lair in The Phantom Of The Opera

James Barbour revelas behind the scenes info about The Final Lair in the Broadway production of The Phantom Of The Opera and how the Phantom is yearning for love and acceptance.

[jeffunger]

I Love watching your videos explaining your interpretation and experiences with Phantom! The first show I ever saw was Phantom with you as the title role and you were absolutely amazing!!! Im a baritone currently playing the phantom and I often watch videos of your portrayal because I love the passion and “ Baritone Power” that your voice has. I hope one day ill get to see you play the Phantom again!

[MrBarnardoo]

Hey James! Thank you much for this wonderful video! I had the wonderful privilege of being the first Puerto Rican Phantom ever to do the entire show here in Puerto Rico. So yeah I truly know how it feels to do this incredible final scene! I would totally break down emotionally when I had to sing “Christine I love you” and then she hands me the ring back. Damn! It was an emotional roller coaster but enormously rewarding in every sense as an actor/singer. I also saw you as the phantom, you were just plain spectacular and I love your powerful baritone voice! I prefer baritone phantoms more than the normal tenor phantoms! And i'm a baritone myself too!

[paulamusik]

Now I'm very emotional :´-( It must be so satisfying for an actor to play this scene. It's also my favorite scene in the musical. It's so relieving to see how the phantom realizes, that what he has done was wrong and also to see him receiving love and compassion for the first time in his live. I think what really changed him was, that Christine didn't saw him as a monster, but as a human being and tried to understand him. Something not many people in his life tried to do. It's really character development at it's finest. I love your videos! It is so interesting to hear your interpretations and in general thoughts on your roles! It's really helpful, especially for young actors/singers like me :-) (I know this has nothing to do with phantom of the opera, but I just wanted to say: I discovered you because of a tale of two cities. I absolutely fell in love with the cast recording (one of my favorites of all time) and bought the DVD of the concert (Quite difficult to get if you live in Germany, but it was worth the search) and your performance as Sydney was one of the most incredible performances I've ever seen! You really touched me deeply with it and I just wanted to thank you for that. I wish more people would know this show. It's so beautiful.)

[amandacarlsen]

I’ve seen Phantom so many times but you’re the only one who gave me goosebumps. You are a gift.

[bawoman]

That scene is something else. So beautiful. When you realize how much he loved her (truly loved her, not the toxic possessiveness of how he had acted before, but true, deep, earth shattering love that came out of her simply showing him love and compassion) that he sacrificed what could have been a salvation from a lifetime of abuse and solitude and loneliness so she could be happy. He was left with nothing, again, crying, as she left on HIS boat with another man, but as heartbreaking moment as that moment is, it is when the audience gets to see the true beauty of The Phantom's soul, and how powerful love can be.

[aries]

I never cry about anything, and seeing you in this scene made me cry my eyes out. Thank you so much for putting your heart and soul into this role for so long and interpreting it in the way that you did, it was so truly beautiful and saddening at the same time that I just cried. And that was my first time seeing phantom, so thank you, I truly loved it (it’s been a year and I’m still not over it haha)

[clairemendoza]

Been watching clips of you as Rochester in the Jane Eyre musical! The score is absolutely beautiful!! Your powerful baritone vocals are incredible!! You are an awesome phantom as well!! I am sad that the Jane Eyre musical didn’t receive more recognition. I think it should be more recognized today!

Your voice is wonderful James!! 🙏🙏 And you’re an incredible man. I’m not a singer or a performer but I have so much respect for performers like you because it’s not easy to sing and roles you have tackled on broadway haven’t exactly been easy roles.

Keep up the amazing work! 🙏

[EuphoriasDom]

What an amazing video! Seeing the character from your perspective it takes us to another level! I love love it. Thank you. Keep them coming!!

[christinewells-leddon]

Thank you for the wonderful explanation of your particular take on this iconic scene. I also have watched many of your videos (and those of many other Phantoms), and I think you take on this is "spot on." I hope I will get to see the show live some day, and I hope it will be you behind the mask.

[cassieblanchette]

Amazing video. A true testament to the fact that showing love especially when it’s not necessarily deserved can truly change a person. Christine’s kiss is such a powerful moment. It’s definitely the type of character I aspire to be. To always seek the good in people and to show love even when treated badly. I don’t think there’s really any other way to live. The scene means a great deal to me. Thanks for taking the time to do this. ❤️

[BIGKountry]

Loved your interpretation of the timeless and eternal character that is the Phantom. Your Baritone vocals are powerful and gentle in a beautiful way. Being a Baritone as well, you give me hope that maybe I could have the honor of playing the part! That would make my life! Thanks for the video and blessings to you and yours sir 👍🏻

[ARMY_for__years]

I've never gotten the amazing opportunity to see Phantom on the stage, but I stumbled across this video and love hearing you talk about your interpretation of the role. Makes me want to see it on stage even more now.

[johnmoss]

It is like you once said when you were behind the scenes of Phantom, what makes it a universal story is that he loses his sense of humanity but then finds it through Christine. That pretty much describes this whole scene.

[andresbarragan]

I saw you on broadway back in 2015 and was absolutely blown away. I'm loving these videos, keep them coming!

[ingridka.]

Hello!! I LOVE The Phantom Of The Opera and I was soooo excited when some people from my little country (I'm from the Czech Republic) decided to show this magnificent piece in my country as well. I fell in love with it and sometimes I just can't stop listening to the beutiful melodies and songs.
I know that the performance must be very very difficult for the actors and singers and I'm so happy when I hear people like you to talk about it with humility and love and passion. My dream is to see this show on Broadway.
Your vocal technique is brilliant ofcourse. I believe it can be a bit challenging fot baritones especially the high notes... However you and for example Norm Lewis are perfect and it looks like it's actually easy for you! And that's the point :) Have a nice day and keep singing ofcourse! :)

[geminilife]

Was blessed to see you and Ali perform PoTO in 2017 and both your performances hit my soul to the core. Hopefully you can reprise the role

[matthewharrison]

James thank you so much for putting up these videos. I love watching your phantom videos on here as well as your beast videos I think you’re a terrific actor and your portrayal of the phantom is outstanding, I cry every time I listen to your final lair. Wish I could’ve seen you in both of those shows but unfortunately I live in Texas. My questions are, do you think the show would have as big an impact on people if Christine had chosen the phantom? How does the chair illusion in the final lair work? Is there any chance you’ll return to the role of the phantom?

[marylougold]

Thank you. This makes things so clear.

[pamelaisley]

I was really surprised when you followed me on Twitter the other day. Thanks, dude!!!

[teamfocus]

Great video! I took my brother to see phantom back in January for his Christmas gift because I had seen you 3 other times in it and was always blown away by your voice and acting and although the play was great I hadn’t known that you had finished playing the roll so it was a disappointment. Do you think you will ever play the part again or ever sing it again in a show because we would love to see it?